Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration


New functionality for calibrating power quality instrumentation

November 2006 Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration

The 5520A-PQ option enables the Fluke 5520A Multi-Product Calibrator to calibrate power quality instrumentation to the standards of the IEC and other regulatory agencies. Three precision waveform modes provide traceability for power meters, disturbance analysers, power quality monitors, recorders and other power quality related equipment.

The PQ option increases the 5520A's existing workload coverage, flexibility and ease-of-use. This portable instrument can be used both in the field and on the bench. It also allows for matching of configurations to workload as well as the adding of options as workloads change and grow.

The three power quality waveform modes in the 5520A-PQ include composite harmonic, flicker simulation, and sags and swells simulation. These waveforms are available in either the single output mode (voltage or current) or dual output modes (voltage and current, and voltage and voltage). The modes provide traceability for harmonic analysis, flicker, and sags and swells functions of power quality measurement instruments.

Flicker output
Flicker output

Composite harmonic mode

This mode outputs a user-defined waveform with up to 15 harmonics, from the second up to the sixty-third, that are combined with the fundamental. Both amplitude and phase of each harmonic, relative to the fundamental, can be specified. In the dual output modes (voltage and current, and voltage and voltage), the wave shapes are independent of each other, but synchronised in time with 0,01° phase resolution. Up to two user-defined waveforms can be stored in non-volatile memory for easy recall. Two IEC 10003-2 waveforms (Class A and Class D current harmonic limits) are pre-defined for CE compliance testing.

Harmonic output
Harmonic output

Flicker simulation mode

Flicker simulation performs either a rectangular or sinewave amplitude modulation of the voltage or current output. The repeat frequency or repetition rate of the flicker event is programmable from 0,1 Hz to 30 Hz. The duty cycle of the flicker event relative to the nominal amplitude is programmable, giving true modulation of the output signal. The amplitude of the flicker event is programmable from ±100% of the base waveform in 0,01% increments. To check the EN 61000-415 flicker function of power quality analyzers, six combinations of delta voltages and change frequencies are provided to quickly check for a Pst (Perceptibility short term) of 1.

Sag swells output
Sag swells output

Sags and swells simulation mode

Sags and swells simulation performs a one-time amplitude modulation of the voltage or current output. The amplitude is programmable from ±100% of the base waveform. The duration of the sag (also referred to as dip) or swell is adjustable from 0,005 to 60 seconds. The ramp period of the sag or swell may also be specified. The sag and swell event can be adjusted to occur from 0,0 to 99,999 seconds after the trigger event.

The PQ option adds powerful new functionality to the 5520A:

* Fundamental generation combined with up to 15 harmonics, producing a 'multitone' output to verify the performance of harmonic analysers.

* Flicker simulation to verify the performance of Flicker meters described in EN 61000-4-15.

* Sags and swells simulation to test power quality analysers for one of the most critical parameters in an electrical distribution system.

* Improved phase uncertainty over the standard 5520A sinewave modes, for calibrating higher precision wattmeters.

As in all 5520As, these functions also address power calibration requirements:

* Programmable phase angle between the two output channels (dual output modes) with 0,01° resolution.

* Phase locking of multiple 5520As for polyphase power testing.

* Performance verification of both three- and four-wire wattmeters.

* Compensation for inductive loads available in all current output modes.

The 5520A-PQ option can be ordered factory installed with a new calibrator or added to an existing 5520A.

Comtest is the sole authorised distributor of Fluke Industrial and Electrical, FPM and Hart Scientific test tools in southern Africa. Fluke is one of the world leaders in the manufacture, distribution and service of electrical and industrial test tools solutions.



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