Final answer:
Opening the secondary of a Current Transformer (CT) under load can lead to the generation of a dangerously high voltage, which can cause equipment damage and pose safety risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Opening the secondary of a Current Transformer (CT) under load will cause a dangerous level of voltage. CTs are used in electrical engineering to measure high current by proportionally scaling down the current for safe monitoring and control. They achieve this through the principle of electromagnetic induction, where current flowing through the primary winding creates a magnetic field that induces a smaller current in the secondary winding.
However, if the secondary circuit is opened while the primary is carrying current, the interruption of the current flow can induce extremely high voltages across the open secondary. This happens because the transformer's core still generates a magnetic field due to the primary current, but the secondary circuit's interruption leads to a rapid change in flux that induces the high voltage. This can be hazardous as it may cause arcs, damage electrical equipment, and pose a serious safety risk to people nearby.