Fast, automated, traceable calibrations that comply with IEEE C37.118.1a™-2014 and IEEE Synchrophasor Measurement Test Suite Specification-Version 2-2015

Today’s smart grid relies on phasor measurement units (PMUs) to deliver real-time, mission critical data on the voltage, current, frequency and phase within the distribution grid. To ensure consistent, accurate and credible PMU data, it is essential that PMUs be properly calibrated.

The 6135A/PMUCAL Phasor Measurement Unit Calibration System is the only fully automated and traceable PMU calibration system available today. It is an ideal solution for PMU designers and manufacturers, as well as for national metrology institutes (NMIs). It’s also a perfect solution for third party calibration houses, electrical power utilities and organizations associated with electrical power transmission.

Applications include calibrating PMUs before they are installed, and as required throughout their operational life; performing type tests of PMUs and other power grid tools; and performing first article approvals. Because the 6135A includes a three-phase 6135A Electrical Power Calibration Standard, you can also use it to calibrate wide workload of electrical power and power quality test instruments.

The integrated 6135A/PMUCAL system fully complies to the IEEE C37.118.1a-2014, IEEE Synchrophasor Measurement Test Suite Specification-Version 2-2015 and C37.242-2013 standards for PMU operation and verification. The system also fully complies to the 2016 draft standard IEC/ IEEE 60255-118 Ed.1. Because it is fully automated, even non-expert users can start using it quickly, performing a complete complement of required tests in just a few hours, as opposed to many days with manual techniques.

6135A/PMUCAL at a glance

The 6135A/PMUCAL system enables you to:

The 6135A/PMUCAL system is made up of these hardware components, shipped in a 19-inch system rack with an integrated test connection panel:

A user-supplied client PC is also required, separate from the server PC but connected via a common network.

Calibration software is the control interface to the 6135A/PMUCAL system, enabling you to configure the testing process and control the testing and calibration of the PMU under test. The software is also an advanced capability analysis tool for the test results. Two modes of operation are available. In Simulate Mode, the software operates without being connected to an actual PMU, but rather simulates the PMU responses in order to do test development, system training, or use the calibration software without actually being connected to a calibration system. The PMU Test Mode enables you to test a PMU and collect actual testing data.

With the software on a client PC, you can use it to:

The test system architecture allows the client PC to access the test system over the Internet, from anywhere in the world. You can complete an automated PMU test in approximately six to eight hours per PMU configuration (frequency, sample rate, class), compared with many days using manual techniques. And the initial setup is also fast – less than an hour of user interaction is required at the beginning of the automated test.

System accuracy yields a typical test accuracy ratio of 40:1 against the the IEEE C37.118.1a-2014 measurement requirements.

Creating reports with the 6135A/PMUCAL system is flexible and convenient. Pre-configured reports are included with the system to help you minimize creation time. Use these reports “as is” or as templates that you customize to meet your specific needs.

6135A Electrical Power Standard Three-Phase System

The 6135A Electrical Power Standard Three Phase System at the heart of the PMU calibration system can be operated in standalone mode, independent of the 6105A System Timing Unit and the server PC. The 6135A sets a new benchmark for accuracy in electrical power calibration standards. Voltage and current are generated with up to six digits precision and accuracies better than 0.005% (50 ppm). Phase adjustment provides for 1 milli-degree or 10 micro-radian resolutions. Phase performance is exceptional, with voltage to current phase accuracy to 2.3 milli-degrees for the 6105A. Voltage-to-voltage phase accuracy is 5 milli-degrees.

Use the 6135A to generate a wide variety of complex signals, including flicker; harmonics; dips and swells; interharmonics; fluctuating harmonics; simultaneous application.

This feature gives you enormous flexibility to calibrate a wide workload of electrical power test instruments, including: