Universal testing toolset for power line filter tests
In real life there are very often situations when it is necessary to test devices with non-linear parameters. In such cases, the use of a single measuring tool may not bring the desired result.
One typical example is Power line filter testing, the task of which is to filter out unexpected spikes in the supply network for homes or industries. Real loads are usually non-linear, namely a combination of inductive and capacitive loads coming on at unpredictable moments. Such loads cause unwanted harmonics in the power line, and it is therefore important to have reliable test results for filters designed to reduce harmonic distortion in the power lines. The presence of harmonics in the power grid can be cause equipment malfunctions, such as overloads in the neutral conductor, increased losses in transformers, disturbances in motor torque, etc.
Harmonic filters could be passive, active and combined. The most common solution, as also illustrated in the IEC EN 61642 standard, is to appropriately connect an inductive reactor in series with the capacitor. The inductor parameters must be adjusted to achieve a resonant frequency lower than the lowest harmonic frequency of the voltage present in the circuit.
The purpose of this article is not to paraphrase the testing techniques, they are well described in a number of documents. The main purpose is to show the possibility of creating a universal testing toolset on the example of the capabilities of one company - Computer Controls.
To solve such testing tasks Computer Controls together with well-known manufacturer GoodWill Instek offer a wide range of measuring equipment. For example, on the picture you can see:
- 300 MHz dual channel oscilloscope with built-in spectrum analyzer function MDO-2302A,
- precision high frequency LCR-meter LCR-8210 with testing frequency from 10 Hz to 10 MHz,
- precision Hi-Pot Tester or, in other words, Electrical Safety Analyzer GPT-12003 for insulation resistance testing,
- classic precision benchtop digital multimeter GDM-9061.
The low cost GoodWill Instek MDO-2xxxA series of digital storage oscilloscopes has follow key features:
- 300 MHz (MDO-2302A), 200 MHz (MDO2202A), 100 MHz (MDO2102A) bandwidth
- 2 channels
- Real time sampling rate is 2GSa/s
- 20 Mpoints memory depth per channel and VPO waveform display technology
- Waveform update rate up to 120,000 wfms/s
- 8” WVGA TFT LCD display
- Maximum 1 Mpoints FFT provides higher frequency domain resolution measurements
- High, low and band pass filter functions
- I2C/UART/CAN/LIN serial bus trigger and decoding function
- Data log function is able to track signal changes up to 1000 hours
- Network storage function
- Mask test function
In addition to advanced oscilloscope specifications, the MDO-2000A series is also a dual-domain test platform. For frequency domain analysis, the spectrum analyzer measurement mode is provided to allow users to have frequency domain analysis with higher resolution.
Series of high-frequency LCR meter LCR-82xx, which has four models, and the maximum test frequency up to 30 MHz has follow key features:
- Test frequency: DC, 10 Hz .. 1 MHz (LCR-8201), 5 MHz (LCR-8205), 10 MHz (LCR-8210), 20 MHz (LCR-8220), 30 MHz (LCR-8230) or 50 MHz (LCR-8250A)
- 7” LCD color display
- Excellent 0.08 % basic accuracy
- Displaying four measurement results simultaneously from 17 selectable measurement parameters
- 15 steps list measurement
- Two curves sweep modes
- USB storage available
- ALC function available
- Standard Interfaces: RS-232C, USB host/device, LAN, GPIB and Handler
The measurement results can be presented numerically or graphically according to the selected measurement mode, allowing users to optimally interpret the characteristics of the DUT. At the same time, a full range of standard interfaces such as USB device, RS-232C, Handler and GPIB allow users to control the instrument by the most familiar interface without worrying about additional hardware investment costs.
GW Instek recently introduced the flagship model (200VA output capacity) safety analyzer – the GPT-12000 series, which is the first safety analyzer in the world to comply with IEC 61010-2-034 (Safety requirement for electrical requirement for measurement, control and laboratory use – particular requirements for measurement equipment for insulation resistance and test equipment for electric strength), which stipulates that the requirements of the software and hardware interfaces must be followed while designing high voltage and insulation resistance test and measurement instruments so as to ensure that users are provided with necessary protection and warning while using the instruments.
It has follow key features:
- 200VA AC test capacity
- Comply with IEC 61010-2-034
- Measures: AC & DC withstanding, insulation resistance, ground bound & continuity
- 7” TFT LCD
- Manual & Auto modes
- RMS current measurement, Zero crossing turn-on operation
- Controllable Ramp-up & Ramp-down time
- Capacitive load testing capability up to 47μF
- Statistics & Analysis function
- Sweep function for DUT characteristic analysis
- Convenience listed AUTO mode easy to read result & judge
- Internal storage & USB storage, setting data export & import available
- Barcode function available
- Interfaces: RS-232C, USB host/device, Signal I/O and GPIB or LAN option
The value of such a versatile tool as a digital multimeter does not need to be proven again. A precision inexpensive DMM is absolutely required in any laboratory and the DMM series GDM-906x can provide such parameters:
- 6½ digit display with 1,200,000 counts
- 4.3” TFT graphic display
- Excellent DCV basic accuracy: 0.0035% (GDM-9061), 0.0075% (GDM-9060)
- 12 measurement functions: DCV, ACV, DCI, ACI, 2-wire & 4-wire Resistance, Frequency, Period, Diode, Continuity, Temperature and Capacitance
- Sampling rate up to 10k SPS (GDM-9061)
- Dual measurement function to providing two selected measurements simultaneously
- Graphical capabilities: histogram, bar meter and trend
- Temperature measurement supports RTD, thermistor & thermocouple
- Standard interfaces: USB Host/Device, RS-232C, LAN, Digital I/O, optionally GPIB
Such set of equipment can be used to solve the widest range of tasks. Moreover, replacing one device with another similar one with other characteristics expands this spectrum even more.
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