Current transformers are meant to perform circuit control, measure current for power measurement and control, and perform roles for safety protection and current limiting. They can also cause circuit events to occur when the monitored current reaches a specified level.
Current transformers have many laid-down performance specifications such as primary current, secondary current, insulation voltage, accuracy, and burden. Primary current is the load of the current transformer. Secondary current is the range of current outputs.
Insulation voltage represents the maximum insulation that current transformers provide when connected to a power source. Accuracy is the degree of certainty with which the measured current agrees with the ideal value. Burden is the maximum load that devices can support while operating within their accuracy ratings. There are two basic types of current transformers: wound and toroidal.
Wound current transformers consist of an integral primary winding that is inserted in series with the conductor that carries the measured current. Toroidal or donut-shaped current transformers do not contain a primary winding. Instead, the wire that carries the current is threaded through a window in the toroidal transformer.
Current transformers are commonly used in metering and protective relaying where they facilitate the safe measurement of large currents, often in the presence of high voltages. The current transformer safely isolates measurement and control circuitry from the high voltages available on the circuit being measured.
Current transformers are meant to perform circuit control, measure current for power measurement and control, and perform roles for safety protection and current limiting. They can also cause circuit events to occur when the monitored current reaches a specified level.
Wound current transformers consist of an integral primary winding that is inserted in series with the conductor that carries the measured current. Toroidal or donut-shaped current transformers do not contain a primary winding. Instead, the wire that carries the current is threaded through a window in the toroidal transformer.
