FreeCal - GPIB Instrument Automation for Metrology Test and Measurement
By Scott Page
FreeCal is a free 100% .NET suite of utilities and instrument drivers for controlling multiple instruments in a Test and Measurement environment.
Features
Base instrument libraries for Signal Generators, Spectrum Analyzers, Network Analyzers, Power Meters, Function Generators, Universal and RF/Microwave Counters, Attenuator/Switch Drivers, EEPROM Power Sensors, Digital Multimeters and any other type of instrument that can be controlled remotely. All categories have specific instruments that have been coded for compatibility (due to the fact that all instruments have their own specific language for communication).
Charts/graphs are integrated into the code with the use of ZedGraph: A flexible charting library for .NET (Thanks to JChampion for ZedGraph, many sleepless nights have been avoided developing an integrated charting library).
Procedures for Power Sensors, Signal Generators, Spectrum Analyzers and Network Analyzer Calibration Kits have already been developed (so far most of them partially completed due to time), but they are not difficult to create as you will see in the examples below.
Several conversion functions included to aid in the development and presentation of data: Frequency conversion from one range to another (i.e. MHz to GHz), Amplitude and Time conversions are also included as a base for almost all formulas and instrument communication.
I recently started construction of a visual editor that allows "drag and drop" style test creation. It is included in the source and can be found in the demo under the Tools menu.
Integrates with MySQL using the MySQL.NET Connector. I have created a number of data classes that ease the task of saving result data to a MySQL database.
Various forms have been created for several of the instrument categories, like Network Analyzers. One of the most difficult tasks in RF/Microwave is downloading and manipulating data from the Agilent 8500 Series NWA, so I spent a lot of time writing the NWA data transfer classes.
Because every instrument has its own tolerances and capabilities, the drivers have been written to include all of this (any missing information is easily added as it is all structure based).
Instrument drivers and procedures are written with a "One Procedure Any Instrument" mindset. You can write one procedure that can calibrate any instrument of the same category. This is due to each instrument driver including the specifications for each test.
To get detail and download:
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/dotnet/FreeCal.aspx?msg=1710490
Friday, August 28, 2009
Online CT Diagonistics Without Contact of Primary
Online CT Diagnostics Without Contact of Primary
by swipower @ 2009-08-01 – 08:08:53
The research started from year 2006 and initiated project in year 2007. a sample product being finished in the end of year 2008.
Features:
Internal Insulation Diagnostics
Exciting magnetics shortcomings
Potential Faults
Burden Influence
Trends data analysis
Portable Design
Avoid High Voltage Contact
Application Background:
Current Transformer, Voltage Transformer, Secondary wirings and Electronic energy meters are components of metering loop, among which high-voltage electronic energy meter is online calibrated periodically 6 to 12 months, and even shorter in some substations. But Current Transformer (CT) keeps running for several years until a power off accuracy calibration, metering loss will be difficult to compensate if error runs out of limits. Traditional methods employ offline comparison techniques to verify the accuracy and healthy condition of current transformer, which requires large amount of efforts on both labor and time. Power utilities also try their best to get family data that relates to accuracy or potential fault in order to avoid or decrease sudden power losses. Most common adopted techniques are active ratio, phase error test, burden measurement and harmonics. But burden measurement can only determine if secondary load is within allowed limit, which is just one of several factors that affect metering error. Ratio and phase error measurement require operator to contact primary high-voltage line for an online verification, which adds extra danger and in most cases infeasible. Harmonics gives results which are not easy for decision making of whether CT is running healthily. TM01 is an innovative CT analyzer that focuses on active composite error for metering verification and potential faults that cannot be detected through traditional ways. It also features on low-voltage injection methods that avoid high-voltage contact. Test methods are well in accordance with IEEE CT application Guide and IEC standards.
Active CT background
Factors that influence CT metering error (under active conditions):
1. Turns ratio
2. Load conditions (primary and secondary)
3. DC magnetizing (Remanence)
4. Magnetizing Characteristics
Factors that influence CT operation (Fault):
1. Primary short circuit or abnormal impedance
2. Insulation (Turn to Turn) breakdown
3. Secondary burden (multipoint grounding, joint corrosion, burden out of limit)
4. DC magnetizing (Remanence)
5. Mechanical problem (Gap, vibration)
Major Function of TM-01-X Online CT Analyzer(Also named active ct analyzer,admittance response analyzer)
¨ Active composite error test (going to be announced)
¨ Active magnetizing characteristics test
¨ Active internal wiring insulation analysis
¨ Active loop impedance (admittance) test
¨ Active load/current characteristics
¨ Fault characteristics and trends analysis
¨ Current Harmonics(Optional)
Application Area
¨ Onsite accuracy verification without need to contact primary line
¨ Internal wiring short-circuit/insulation abnormality
¨ DC magnetizing (Remanence abnormal)
¨ Permeability decrease
¨ Contact point corrosion
¨ Multipoint ground/ ground abnormality
¨ Primary line to ground insulation abnormality
¨ Wiring displacement/vibration
¨ Linea (magnetizing) zone Assessment
Major technical parameter
¨ Primary current influence: less than 1.5%
¨ System voltage level: Any but best for 35kV and above
¨ Secondary current: Rated 5A/1A
¨ Ratio: unlimited but accuracy will go down for very low ratio CT.
¨ Rated burden: 0-200VA
¨ Composite error: 0.2%F.S (Upgradable to 0.1%F.S)
¨ Instability: 0.05%
¨ Admittance: 0.001～999.999mS
¨ Harmonics: 50th (Optional)
¨ Temperature: 0～55
¨ System Language: English (German is optional)
¨ Weight: about 4kg.
TM01 Configuration:
1.TM01-A Potential Fault DetectActive Frequency Response Analyzer (AFRA)
2.TM01-B Onsite Accuracy VerificationActive (Composite) Error Analyzer (ACEA)
Contact: Email: swipower@yahoo.com
Taken From: www.diagnostics.blogs.se
by swipower @ 2009-08-01 – 08:08:53
The research started from year 2006 and initiated project in year 2007. a sample product being finished in the end of year 2008.
Features:
Internal Insulation Diagnostics
Exciting magnetics shortcomings
Potential Faults
Burden Influence
Trends data analysis
Portable Design
Avoid High Voltage Contact
Application Background:
Current Transformer, Voltage Transformer, Secondary wirings and Electronic energy meters are components of metering loop, among which high-voltage electronic energy meter is online calibrated periodically 6 to 12 months, and even shorter in some substations. But Current Transformer (CT) keeps running for several years until a power off accuracy calibration, metering loss will be difficult to compensate if error runs out of limits. Traditional methods employ offline comparison techniques to verify the accuracy and healthy condition of current transformer, which requires large amount of efforts on both labor and time. Power utilities also try their best to get family data that relates to accuracy or potential fault in order to avoid or decrease sudden power losses. Most common adopted techniques are active ratio, phase error test, burden measurement and harmonics. But burden measurement can only determine if secondary load is within allowed limit, which is just one of several factors that affect metering error. Ratio and phase error measurement require operator to contact primary high-voltage line for an online verification, which adds extra danger and in most cases infeasible. Harmonics gives results which are not easy for decision making of whether CT is running healthily. TM01 is an innovative CT analyzer that focuses on active composite error for metering verification and potential faults that cannot be detected through traditional ways. It also features on low-voltage injection methods that avoid high-voltage contact. Test methods are well in accordance with IEEE CT application Guide and IEC standards.
Active CT background
Factors that influence CT metering error (under active conditions):
1. Turns ratio
2. Load conditions (primary and secondary)
3. DC magnetizing (Remanence)
4. Magnetizing Characteristics
Factors that influence CT operation (Fault):
1. Primary short circuit or abnormal impedance
2. Insulation (Turn to Turn) breakdown
3. Secondary burden (multipoint grounding, joint corrosion, burden out of limit)
4. DC magnetizing (Remanence)
5. Mechanical problem (Gap, vibration)
Major Function of TM-01-X Online CT Analyzer(Also named active ct analyzer,admittance response analyzer)
¨ Active composite error test (going to be announced)
¨ Active magnetizing characteristics test
¨ Active internal wiring insulation analysis
¨ Active loop impedance (admittance) test
¨ Active load/current characteristics
¨ Fault characteristics and trends analysis
¨ Current Harmonics(Optional)
Application Area
¨ Onsite accuracy verification without need to contact primary line
¨ Internal wiring short-circuit/insulation abnormality
¨ DC magnetizing (Remanence abnormal)
¨ Permeability decrease
¨ Contact point corrosion
¨ Multipoint ground/ ground abnormality
¨ Primary line to ground insulation abnormality
¨ Wiring displacement/vibration
¨ Linea (magnetizing) zone Assessment
Major technical parameter
¨ Primary current influence: less than 1.5%
¨ System voltage level: Any but best for 35kV and above
¨ Secondary current: Rated 5A/1A
¨ Ratio: unlimited but accuracy will go down for very low ratio CT.
¨ Rated burden: 0-200VA
¨ Composite error: 0.2%F.S (Upgradable to 0.1%F.S)
¨ Instability: 0.05%
¨ Admittance: 0.001～999.999mS
¨ Harmonics: 50th (Optional)
¨ Temperature: 0～55
¨ System Language: English (German is optional)
¨ Weight: about 4kg.
TM01 Configuration:
1.TM01-A Potential Fault DetectActive Frequency Response Analyzer (AFRA)
2.TM01-B Onsite Accuracy VerificationActive (Composite) Error Analyzer (ACEA)
Contact: Email: swipower@yahoo.com
Taken From: www.diagnostics.blogs.se
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