New Approach to Evaluate the Transformation Accuracy of Inductive CTs for Distorted Current

Abstract

This paper presents a newly developed method to determine the values of current error and phase displacement for the transformation of distorted current harmonics by the inductive current transformers. This approach eliminates the necessity for the utilization of an expensive, high-current supply system for the measuring setup. In this method, the secondary winding is fed by the distorted voltage with RMS values of harmonics calculated in order to reproduce the operation point of the inductive current transformer on the magnetization characteristic of its magnetic core, as in primary winding excitation conditions. This proposed approach is successfully verified with the typically used primary current excitation method, where the secondary currents of the reference and tested current transformers are compared in the differential measuring setup. It was confirmed that the inductive CT with current error and phase displacement for transformation of distorted current harmonics determined in the rated ampere-turns conditions may be effectively used in the measuring setup as the reference source of the primary current.