Precision AC Current

Measurement Technique
Guildline Instruments Limited

Presentation
Presenter, Author

Richard Timmons, P.Eng., MSc

President, Guildline Instruments

Acknowledgements

Tom Barczyk, McSEE

R&D Product Manager, Power Instruments

Guildline Instruments

Dr. Petar Miljanic

Overview
Introduction
Current Transformer
Measurement Results

Stationary Signals
Quasi-Stationary Signals

Applications and Conclusion

Introduction

Need for More Accurate Power Measurements

Higher Electricity Costs
Demand for Better Efficiency
Government Mandated
Measure Quasi-Stationary Signals
Grids are More Noisy
Multiple, Alternate Energy Sources
Smart, Unpredictable Loads

Current Transformer
Guildline Instruments Limited

Current Transformer Circuit

Modified Design
Error Correcting Circuit
NI Primary Winding
NO Output Winding
NE Error Correction Winding
Single or Multi-Stage
Inexpensive to Implement
Very Accurate

Current Transformer Manufacture

Measurement Results
Guildline Instruments Limited

Measurement Setup

Source - Fluke 5520 Calibrator

Measurement Guildline 7220 Power Analyzer (Patent Pending)
8 Independent Channels
Current and Voltage

(3-Phase + Ground)

Current 4 Channels in Series

Voltage 4 Channels in Parallel

Power Analyzer
Current

Error Correcting Transformer

Voltage

Resistive Voltage Divider

A/D

24 Bit @ 100 kHz

8 Independent Channels

Processor

PC Based Tablet

Stationary Signal (1a)

0.5 A

50 Hz Stationary Sinusoidal Signal

AC Current from 5520 in Series

IRMS (1) From 4 Independent Channels

One Measurement per Period

500 Samples

10 Seconds x 50 Hz

Max Noise per Channel About 30 ppm

Includes Noise from Fluke 5520

Stationary Signal
Current Noise
Current Noise < 30 ppm

Stationary Signal (2)

0.5 A

50 Hz Stationary Sinusoidal Signal

AC Current from 5520 in Series

IRMS (0.2s) From 4 Independent Channels

Measurement Based on Average (i.e. Aggregate) of 10 Adjacent Periods

600 Reported Measurements

120 Seconds x 50 Hz / 10 (Averaging)

Max Noise per Channel About 15 ppm

Averaging Acts Like a Filter

Includes Noise from Fluke 5520

Stationary Signal
Averaging Filter
Aggregation / Average of 10 Measurements
Noise Reduced to About 15 ppm

Stationary Signal 1(b)

Same 0.5 A 50 Hz Stationary Sinusoidal Signal

IRMS (1) From 4 Independent Channels

Moving Sample Window of 30 Measurements

Used to Calculate Standard Deviation

Standard Deviation About 3 ppm for Each Current Measurement

Suggests Most of the Type A Uncertainty is from the Source

Maximum Standard Deviation Spread on All 4 Current Measurements

About 3 ppm

High Level of Measurement Consistency

Stationary Signal
Standard Deviation

Standard Deviation Each Channel About 3 ppm

Max Std Dev Spread 4 Channels About 3 ppm

Stationary Signal 3(a)

Same 0.5 A 50 Hz Stationary Sinusoidal Signal

IRMS (3s) From 4 Independent Channels

Measurement Based on Average (i.e. Aggregate) of 150 Adjacent Periods

3 Seconds x 50 Hz

500 Reported Measurements (i.e. 10 Min)

Max Noise per Channel About 10 ppm

Longer Period of Averaging Improves Filter

Includes Noise from Fluke 5520

Reported Signal Very Similar on 4 Channels

Implies Signal Noise Dominated by Source

Stationary Signal
Long Averaging Filter
Aggregation / Average of 150 Measurements
Noise Reduced to About 10 ppm

Stationary Signal 3(b)

Same 0.5 A 50 Hz Stationary Sinusoidal Signal

IRMS (3s) From 4 Independent Channels

Moving Sample Window of 30 Measurements

Used to Calculate Standard Deviation

Standard Deviation on 4 Independent Channels has Almost Identical Traces

Again Suggests Most of the Type A Uncertainty is from the Source

Suggests Type A Uncertainty of Current Transformers is < 4 ppm

Also Shows Very Good Measurement Consistency

Stationary Signal - Standard

Deviation with Filtering
Standard Deviation of 4 Independent Channels < 4 ppm

0.05 Amp (10%) Transient

50 Hz

0.45 / 0.5 Amp Stationary Sinusoidal Signal

Fluke 5520 Generated 0.45 and 0.5 Amps

Measured by the Same Current Transformer
Signals Pasted at Zero Crossing
Signal with Current Transient Input into Power Analyzer
Represents a 10% Change in Current Amplitude in 1 Period (i.e. 100,000 ppm)
IRMS (1) Shows Power Analyzer Settled Within 3 Measurements to < 10 ppm (i.e.
60 msec)

10 ppm Includes Fluke 5520 Noise

10% Current Transient

Rising Edge (100,000 ppm)
Settled Within 3 Periods < 10 ppm

10 Hz (20%) Frequency Transient

0.5 Amp

50 / 60 Hz Sinusoidal Signal

Fluke 5520 Generate 50 Hz and 60 Hz

Measured by the Same Current Transformer
Signals Pasted at Zero Crossing
Signal with Frequency Transient Input into Power Analyzer
Represents a 20% Change in Frequency in 1 Period
IRMS (1) Shows Power Analyzer Settled Within 1 Measurement to < 10 ppm (i.e.
20 msec)

10 ppm Includes Fluke 5520 Noise

20% Frequency Transient

Settled Within 1 Period < 10 ppm

Applications and Conclusions

Guildline Instruments Limited

Applications
Current Transformer
AC Current Meter
Power Analyzer (Patent Pending)

7220 Power Analyzer Engineering Prototype

Conclusions-1
Asynchronous Sampling With Modern Electronics Equivalent to
Phase Locking

Averaging Filter Improves Performance by 100% - 300%

Comparing Standard Deviation on Different Channels with Same
Signal Helps Identify Type A Uncertainty Contribution from Source

Conclusions-2
Implemented Into Power Analyzer with Current Measurements < 10
ppm

Error Correcting Transformer

Fast Wide-Band A/D Converters
Improved Processing Algorithms
Measures Both Stationary and Quasi-Stationary Signals

Goal is to Improve to < 5 ppm

Providing Precision
Measurement Solutions
Guildline Instruments Limited