Why Is It Important To Calculate CT Burden

CT burden simple calculation formula

  • Study the output circuit
  • (A) Calculate individual burden of instruments
  • (B) Calculate burden of connected wire
  • Add (A+B)
  • Multiply the result by 1.2 to 1.5 as safety factor

(A) Typical CTs burden values of Digital/Analog Meters

Why Is It Important To Calculate CT Burden

(B) How to calculate CT burden of secondary cable?

  • For Copper cable

VA = k X L/S

K = 0.5 if is (secondary cable) = 5A

K = 0.02, if is = 1A

Where; L= Length of secondary cable (input/output loop) In meters and S = Cross Section Area of cables In mm .

In this case, the CTs are generally in a controlling or metering panel within a small distance from actual meter, and technically it is not necessary to have a large VA.

Why Is It Important To Calculate CT Burden

Test Case for CT 100/5A,

VA = k X L/S

K = 0.5 if is = 5A, L = 5 m, S = 2.5 mm .

VA = 0.5X 5/2.5

= 2.5/2.5

B = 1 VA

To take an example, If you connect one analog meter having a 5 meter long secondary lead cable, The total burden will be:

Burden of Meter (A) = 0.75 VA

Burden of 5 meter Cable (B) = 1VA

Total Burden A+B = 0.75+1 = 1.75VA

Multiply the total burden by safety factor 1.2

– 1.2*1.75 = 2.1VA

This means you can use a CT with 2.5VA or 5VA burden.

Conclusion

The CT burden impacts the CT accuracy. If the burden is higher than required, the CT accuracy can fluctuate.

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