Electronics Weekly Electronics Design & Components Tech News
The design of solar, wind and sea power systems is putting a new emphasis on accurate forms of power measurement.
“Both the traditional power generation and distribution sectors and the emerging alternative energy markets are placing increased emphasis on
energy saving and efficiency,” said Terry Marrinan, sales and marketing director for Europe and Africa with Yokogawa’s test and measurement business unit.
According to Marrinan, the test equipment firm has seen a definite up-tick in Europe this year driven largely by the need for energy efficient system design in a number of markets including Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
“This year has been very good for us and it is being driven by energy efficiency,” said Marrinan.
It is not just the design of solar power arrays and wind turbines that is driving the demand for accurate power measurement, said Marrinan. There is also a requirement for greater energy efficiency in the design and operation of a wide range of electronic systems from mobiles to cars and white goods.
Many power conversion circuits use energy-saving switching techniques which can cause distorted voltage or current waveforms with high harmonic content. To measure these waveforms accurately requires power analysers with high-resolution 16-bit analogue-digital converters and a fast digitising rate.
“Manufacturers of equipment from industrial drives to washing machines are also looking at optimising energy performance
with the resultant economic and environmental benefits,” said Marrinan.
For example, the firm’s WT1800 precision power analyser has a 2MS/s sample rate and basic power measurement accuracy of 0.1% of reading plus 0.05%
of range, says Marrinan.
