What can cause a current transformer to explode?

Question

What can cause a current transformer to explode?

Answer 1

Overload

Answer 2

well u c a CT is a special transformer designed specially for primary to be one turn, ie: the conductor in which the current is to be measured

the CT steps down current value and so steps up the voltage value

now picture this:

if i have a 200/1 ratio CT, while primary is of 200 A wt will be the secondary?? 1A right??

okay now CT as i said are specially designed to handle a massive amount of flux, this is why it can never be left open circuit on the secondary, cuz with that massive amount of flux, a very great amount of emf will be induced over its secondary open terminals and thus it will cause a breakdown, now if this CT is oil immersed, it would certainly explode and fire.

this is why the CT cant be left Open Circuit at any time the primary conductor is live, thats wt makes it explode.

Answer 3

There are extreme stories of CT's exploding. I have never actually seen evidence.

A CT will certainly be at risk of being destroyed if the secondary is left open circuit and the primary current is present. This is due to the insulation failing from the "higher than rated" voltage that occurs. Once the insulation has failed, the winding is short circuit anyway and nothing else happens. The whole thing is usually more of a melt than explosion from what I have seen but I wouldn't say explosion is not possible or has not happened.

Answer 4

a bolt of lightning

Answer 5

excess current, poor maintnence, short circuit, overheating

Answer 6

If the secondary side of a current transformer becomes open circuited it could explode due to extremely high voltage in the secondary.the primary rule of current transformers is to keep very low ohms on the secondary to open the secondary is kind of like short circuiting a voltage transformer.