What is the bar type current transformer?

A bar type current transformer is a specific type of current transformer (CT) used within electrical engineering for the accurate measurement of high current levels. Unlike other transformer types that may utilize primary windings wrapped around the core, a bar-type current transformer consists of a permanent bar that acts as the primary conductor. This bar passes through the transformer’s core, making the installation process straightforward and ensuring a high level of accuracy and safety.

The core of the transformer surrounds a section of the bar, and the secondary windings are wound around this core. When a current flows through the bar, a magnetic field is produced, inducing a current in the secondary windings. The ratio of the primary current (the current flowing in the bar) to the secondary current (the current induced in the secondary windings) is determined by the number of turns in the secondary coil, providing a scaled-down, accurate representation of the primary current. This transformation allows for the safe monitoring, controlling, and measuring of electrical currents that are too high to measure directly.

Bar type current transformers are widely used in the electrical industry for various applications, including in electrical panels, for power metering, and in protective relays. Their robust design enables them to handle high current levels, making them an essential component in high-voltage and high-current installations.