Application Note

Principles of Measurement -Transformer Burden

Burden is the load imposed on the secondary of the CT at rated current and is measured in VA (product of volts and amps). The accuracy class applies only to loads at rated VA and below, down to one quarter VA .The burden on the secondary of a CT includes the effect of pilot leads, connections etc , as well as the instrument burden itself. In situations where the meter is remote from the current transformer, the resistance of the pilot wires may exceed the meter impedance many times in these cases it is often economical to use 1 amp meters and CTs. The diagram shows the burden imposed on the CT due to a run of pilot wire. It will be seen that a pilot loop of 2.5mm2 wire, 60 metres long (30 metres distance) has a load of 12.5 VA on a 5 amp CT but only 0.5VA on a 1 amp CT.

LEAD BURDEN VA ON 5A CT

25 20 15 10 5
m 2.5 m
2

1.0
0m 1. m
2

0.8
2

mm 1.5

0.6 0.4

4mm

6mm

0.2
10mm2

10

20

30

40

50

60 Metres

ITL, Providing Transformer Solutions since 1973

April 2012

Instrument Transformers Limited 8 Lithgow Place, East Kilbride, Scotland. G74 1PW, United Kingdom, t: +44 (0) 1355 236 057 sales@itl-uk.com itl-uk.com

LEAD BURDEN VA ON 1A CT