Application Note

Principles of Measurement -Transformer Burden

Burden is the load imposed on the secondary of the CT at rated current and is measured in VA
(product of volts and amps). The accuracy class applies only to loads at rated VA and below, down
to one quarter VA .The burden on the secondary of a CT includes the effect of pilot leads, connections
etc , as well as the instrument burden itself.
In situations where the meter is remote from the current transformer, the resistance of the pilot
wires may exceed the meter impedance many times in these cases it is often economical to use
1 amp meters and CTs.

25

1.0
2

0m
1.

20

0.8
2

mm
1.5

15

0.6

10

0.4
2

4mm

m
2.5

6mm

0.2

LEAD BURDEN VA ON 1A CT

LEAD BURDEN VA ON 5A CT

The diagram shows the burden imposed on the CT due to a run of pilot wire. It will be seen that a pilot
loop of 2.5mm2 wire, 60 metres long (30 metres distance) has a load of 12.5 VA on a 5 amp CT but
only 0.5VA on a 1 amp CT.

10mm2

10

20

30

40

50

60 Metres

ITL, Providing Transformer Solutions since 1973

April 2012

Instrument Transformers Limited

8 Lithgow Place, East Kilbride, Scotland. G74 1PW, United Kingdom,
t: +44 (0) 1355 236 057 sales@itl-uk.com itl-uk.com