Case Study #10
Description
Southern California Edison (SCE), one of the largest electric utility providers in the United States, required replacement for several obsolete laboratory test systems. Their previous supplier, AMETEK Programmable Power Inc., had discontinued the California Instruments 4500FX power source. As a result, SCE needed a new solution to support its extensive watt meter testing requirements.
Challenge:
SCE was unable to identify a commercially available product capable of covering the required test ranges, which included currents from 0.01 A rms. to 375 A rms. and voltages up to 480 V rms.
Solution:
Amp-Line Corp. designed and delivered a customized test system engineered to meet SCE’s unique requirements. The system configuration included:
Challenge:
SCE was unable to identify a commercially available product capable of covering the required test ranges, which included currents from 0.01 A rms. to 375 A rms. and voltages up to 480 V rms.
Solution:
Amp-Line Corp. designed and delivered a customized test system engineered to meet SCE’s unique requirements. The system configuration included:
- A three-phase digital oscillator (multi-phase function generator)
- Two high current AC constant current power amplifiers
- One low current AC constant current power amplifier
- One high voltage AC constant voltage power amplifier
- High Current Testing: By paralleling the two high current amplifiers and using one oscillator channel, the system can deliver up to 400 A rms. at 6 V rms. compliance voltage.
- Low Current Testing: With the low current amplifier connected to a separate oscillator channel, currents as low as 10 mA rms. can be generated with relatively good signal-to-noise ratio.
- High Voltage Testing: With the constant voltage amplifier connected to the third oscillator channel, the output voltage can be achieved up to 480 V rms.
System Configuration
Test System Highlights:
1. 3-Phase Digital Oscillator (Function Generator)
1. 3-Phase Digital Oscillator (Function Generator)
- Provides a 0–1 V rms., 60 Hz input signal to the power amplifiers.
- Each channel supports independent control of amplitude, frequency, phase angle, and output On/Off via GPIB commands.
- Precision phase adjustments (0.0° - 360.0°, with 0.1° resolution) in all three channels.
- Each amplifier outputs up to 200 A rms. at 6 V rms. compliance voltage.
- Two units in parallel deliver up to 400 A rms.
- Multiple ranges available for sensitive watt meter testing.
- Supports output down to 0–200 mA rms., addressing the 0.01 A rms. minimum requirement.
- Provides high voltage output up to 480 V rms. at 300 W power rating.
Conclusion:
The custom test system delivered by Amp-Line Corp. enables watt meter testing across an extensive current range (10 mA rms. to 400 A rms.) and voltage range (up to 480 V rms.). This solution not only replaced SCE’s obsolete equipment but also enhanced their testing capabilities, accuracy, and reliability.
Contact Us:
Amp-Line Corp. specializes in standard and custom power solutions that are designed to meet your application needs. Contact us to learn more about our AC power sources/amplifiers, multi-phase oscillators, and custom test systems.
The custom test system delivered by Amp-Line Corp. enables watt meter testing across an extensive current range (10 mA rms. to 400 A rms.) and voltage range (up to 480 V rms.). This solution not only replaced SCE’s obsolete equipment but also enhanced their testing capabilities, accuracy, and reliability.
Contact Us:
Amp-Line Corp. specializes in standard and custom power solutions that are designed to meet your application needs. Contact us to learn more about our AC power sources/amplifiers, multi-phase oscillators, and custom test systems.
