1 INTRODUCTION

Text-books generally available to those confronted with the task of selecting and ordering current
transformers for the operation of protective gear are mostly of a relatively advanced nature.
While these are useful to the specialist in Protection Engineering, they assume that the reader
has a good working knowledge of protective systems practice, mathematics and terminology.
Further, they are mainly of overseas origin, with no direct bearing on Australian standards and
specific Australian requirements. To the majority of current transformer users and particularly to
those not deeply involved in this specialised field, these publications are not very helpful. There
is clearly a need for a concise, practical explanation of the basic Principles and procedures
adopted in the selection of CTs for protection work in Australia.

These brief notes represent an attempt to fulfil at least some part of this requirement. It is hoped
they will prove helpful to those, users and potential users of protection current transformers, who
do not have a background of specialisation in this field.

One of the difficulties associated with the presentation of such an explanation is the fact that
while some readers are well versed in the subject. others are not familiar with the basic
requirements and technical terms. Some discussion of fundamentals and terminology has
therefore been included, but it has not been possible to deal with fundamental theory other than
that closely related to the practical subject matter. Abbreviation has been used, where. possible,
to condense the material, and much use has been made of underlining and repetition for
emphasis is of important points.

Experience shows that most of the problems which arise are of a practical nature. They concern
mainly the Interpretation of requirements - the selection of the correct current transformers to
drive a specified relay in a particular protective circuit. What CTs should be specified? What
Ratio? What accuracy limit factor? What secondary reference v61taqe? What short-time current-
and what short-time period? Should a thermal limit current-be specified? Would a Class PL CT
be preferable, rather than a Class 10P or 2.5P general purpose type? What do all these terms
and symbols mean, anyway?

These, then, are the questions to be answered, as far as possible, in these notes. They are
concerned mainly with everyday, down-to-earth facts concerning protection CTs and their
application - the requirements, the terminology, the various designation systems, the selection of
CTs - and the common pitfalls. To illustrate the principles clearly, two simple worked examples
have been included.

If at this stage the reader is expecting all his questions to be answered, then he is likely to be
disappointed. The limitations of a short publication of this nature are obvious and much useful
material has, of necessity, been left out.

To those already steeped in the subject of current transformers, I hasten to explain that if the
treatment appears unduly abbreviated and in places rather elementary, or if some of the
statements made have been a little over-simplified, this has been done purposely for the sake of
clarity.