3i s.n.c. di Arosio L. & C.

User’s manual

Generator - calibrator
of sinusoidal currents and voltages

model 74T–400V

Document: 74T_USERM_400V.doc Rev. 6, date 7 August 2000

Summary

PRESENTATION OF THE INSTRUMENT____________________________________ 2

The front panel at a glance____________________________________________________ 3

The rear panel at a glance_____________________________________________________ 4

Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 5

Applications ________________________________________________________________ 5

Main features _______________________________________________________________ 5

Operating principles _________________________________________________________ 6

Other details of the generator - calibrator_______________________________________ 8

Computer interfacing and remote control_______________________________________ 9

Technical specifications ______________________________________________________ 9

Options____________________________________________________________________ 10

USING THE CALIBRATOR _______________________________________________ 11

Getting started (main features) _______________________________________________ 12

Auxiliary functions _________________________________________________________ 16

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISPLAY-VIEWS __________________________________ 17

Views description __________________________________________________________ 18

COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL__________________________________________ 22

1
Presentation of the instrument

This chapter is divided into the following sections:

• the front panel at a glance, from page 3

• the rear panel at a glance, from page 4
• overview, from page 5
• applications, from page 5
• main features, from page 5
• operating principles, from page 6
• other details of the generator - calibrator, from page 8
• computer interfacing and remote control, from page 9
• technical specifications, from page 9
• options, from page 10

presentation of the instrument 2

The front panel at a glance

Picture A: front panel

1. SWITCH (ON/OFF): used to power up the calibrator from external source.

2. VACUUM FLUORESCENT DISPLAY: shows to the operator the set point values
and output readings.
3. RANGES SELECTION KEYBOARD: used to set the working field for currents and
voltages.
4. VOLTAGES AND CURRENTS SELECTION KEYBOARD: to enable changes of the
wished electrical quantities.
5. PHASE AND FREQUENCY SELECTION KEYBOARD: to enable changes or to set "f "
and "ϕ" at fixed values.
6. CONTROL KEYBOARD: used to perform smooth or coarse changes on enabled
electrical parameters.
7. DISPLAY KEY: changes the current data page displayed on the screen.
8. START/STOP KEY: enables or disables output generation.
9. VOLTAGE OUTPUTS.
10. CURRENT OUTPUTS.
11. REMOTE CONTROL CONNECTOR.
12. AUXILIARY CONNECTOR FOR ENERGY READINGS.

presentation of the instrument 3

The rear panel at a glance

Picture B: back panel

1. POWER PLUG.
2. MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBER.
3. COOLING FANS.
4. POWER SOURCE SPECIFICATIONS.

presentation of the instrument 4

Overview

The three-phase voltage and current generator provides high-stability and high-
resolution outputs for users and manufacturers of electrical instruments, espe-
cially during the development tests of new products and the control and calibra-
tion jobs.
Alternate quantities as voltage, current, real and reactive power, phase angle,
are stable for each selected frequency to assure the best operating condition in
any test carried out on electrical measurement systems.
A typical application is the calibration of electric power recorders, with reading of
real and reactive energy and derived quantities. The generator provides high
precision and stable voltage and current outputs, whose phase setting is inde-
pendent from frequency and is adjustable in high resolution mode.
The possibility of frequency setting both by steps and by fine tuning makes the
generator suitable for the functioning tests on electrical protection equipment.

Applications

• Calibration of AC voltmeters, ammeters, wattmeters

• Calibration of frequency and phase meters
• Calibration of measurement and protection transducers
• Calibration of voltage, current, real and reactive power transducers
• Calibration of real and reactive energy transducers
• Calibration of frequency and phase transducers
• Calibration of energy meters

Main features

• Sinusoidal outputs
• Frequency range: 45 ÷ 450 Hz
• Output power ratings: 16 VA per output, per phase
• Voltage: 0 ÷ 400 V (three ranges: 100 V, 200 V, 400 V)
• Current: 0 ÷ 6 A (three ranges: 1.5 A, 3.0 A, 6.0 A)

presentation of the instrument 5

 • Phase angle: 0 ÷ 360 °
• Electrical parameters adjustable by steps and in continuous mode
• High resolution: 1/4000
• High stability: better than 0.1%/year (0.025%/year typical)
• Internal personal computer to optimize data management and user interface
• Opto–isolated serial interface RS-232
• Communication and remote control software provided with the equipment
• Galvanic insulation of each current output

Operating principles

The three-phase (or single-phase) voltage and current generator is based on a set
of functional modules, linked together as shown in the simplified block diagram.

Simplified block diagram

Blocks common to all generator phases 7 8 9

Current
2 Current output transformer
amplitude and
Power amplifier with isolated measurement
Display phase
circuits
regulators

6
1

Programmable
Internal personal
computer
sinusoidal voltage and Blocks related to one phase
current synthetizer
10 11 12

Voltage
amplitude and Voltage output transformer
3 4 Power amplifier
phase with measuring circuits
AUX
Keyboard regulators

Serial interface for

remote control

Scheme A: internal organization of the calibrator

The generator uses an internal PC for the operations related to measurements,
computations and user interface. A digital programmable synthetizer generates
voltages and currents with the required values of frequency and phase. Power
output levels are stabilized by feedback regulation systems.

presentation of the instrument 6

The remote control of the generator can be achieved using an external personal
computer.
Each module of the block diagram is described herebelow.
1. Internal personal computer,
provides the operator with an easy to use interface and manages all the
readings of the electrical outputs.
2. Display,
displays set point values and readings of voltage, current, power and energy
of a time period.
3. Keyboard,
for setting and changing the output parameters.
4. Aux Connector,
for wiring an optional external start-stop push-button useful for energy
measurements.
5. Serial interface,
allows remote control from an external personal computer running the soft-
ware delivered with the equipment.
6. Sinusoidal voltage and current synthetizer,
generates sinusoidal voltage and current signals whose frequency and phase
angle are defined by the operator.
7. Amplitude and phase regulators,
drive the power amplifier so that the electrical outputs have the correct volt-
age or current value, with negligible phase error.
8. Power amplifier,
feeds the output transformer.
9. Current output transformer,
modifies the electrical power parameters to obtain current outputs. Special
measurement circuits give actual readings of current to both regulators and
internal personal computer.
10.Amplitude and phase regulators,
drive the power amplifier so that the electrical outputs have the correct volt-
age or current value, with negligible phase error.
11.Power amplifier,
feeds the output transformer.
12.Voltage output transformer,
modifies the electrical power parameters to obtain voltage outputs. Special
measurement circuits give actual readings of voltage to both regulators and
internal personal computer.

presentation of the instrument 7

Other details of the generator - calibrator

Measurements and computation

The generator acquires voltage and current outputs by means of a D/A converter
which assures a 0.1 % full range accuracy.
The sinusoidal signals are synthetized digitally from the clock frequency of a
quartz stabilized oscillator; the phase angle between voltage and current is de-
fined via software.
The frequency resolution is 0.025 Hz and the accuracy is 5 mHz.
The phase resolution is 0.1 ° and the accuracy is better than 0.2 °.
Readings within 0.1 % (0.05% typical) full range accuracy are:
- RMS value of generated phase voltage;
- RMS value of generated phase current.
Computed quantities within 0.2 % (0.1% typical) full range accuracy are:
- value of real, reactive and apparent power, for each phase and total;
- cos Φ value;
- value of real and reactive energy in a selected time period.

Remote control software

Remote control software uses Windows libraries to display the instrument con-
trol panel on the remote personal computer screen. Thus clicking the virtual
push–buttons reproduced on the PC video, can operate the generator.

Power on and power off

The last used operating parameters before a switch-off are saved in non-volatile
memory. When power is restored, the instrument is started with the last
configuration.

Dimensions and mass

The generator is assembled in a 19” case (177 mm H, 450 mm W, 400 mm D;
handles included). The case is supplied with rack mounting angles that can be
folded on the sides. These allow generator to be mounted in a standard 19” labo-
ratory rack.
The three-phase generator mass is 15 kg.

presentation of the instrument 8

Computer interfacing and remote control

The generator is equipped with a serial communication interface to facilitate

simple and reliable connection to a remote personal computer; the connection
needs a serial modem cable (9 - 25 pin).
Running the software provided with the instrument on an external PC it is pos-
sible to control the calibrator in remote mode and read all the electrical parame-
ters: voltages, currents, frequency, phase, active and reactive power and electric
energy.
The control software also allows to access to registration functions and change
time and date on the generator.
With the registration function it is possible to let that the calibrator logs the
readings values for a defined interval of time. At the end of the registration, the
logged data can be downloaded to a file on the PC. All recorded information is
stored in a format that is compatible with commercially available spreadsheet
programs. This allows the user to easily get graphics and tables for each calibrat-
ing session.
The Graphics function shows power variations during the test.
The user who wants to produce his own software interface should read the docu-
ment: 74T – COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL.

Technical specifications

• Voltage control
sinusoidal output waveform, maximum 0.5% THD
output voltage range: 100 V 200 V 400 V
coarse voltage step: 5V 10 V 20 V
fine regulation: 25 mV 50 mV 100 mV
voltage accuracy: 0.1% f.s. range (0.05 % typical)

• Current control
sinusoidal output waveform, maximum 0.5% THD
output current range: 1.5 A 3.0 A 6.0 A
coarse current step: 50 mA 100 mA 200 mA
fine regulation: 0.5 mA 1.0 mA 2.0 mA
current accuracy: 0.1% f.s. range (0.05 % typical)

presentation of the instrument 9

• Frequency control
frequency range: 45 to 450 Hz
coarse frequency step: 1.000 Hz
fine regulation: 25 mHz
frequency accuracy: 5 mHz

• Phase control
phase angle range: 0 to 360 degrees
coarse phase angle step: 5.0 degrees
fine regulation: 0.1 degrees
phase angle accuracy: 0.2 degrees

• Output power rating: 16 VA per output and per phase

• Power accuracy: 0.2 % F.S. (0.1% typical)
• Stability: better than 0.1 % /year (0.025%/year typical)
• Opto–isolated serial interface RS-232 in standard configuration
• Communication and remote control software supplied with the equipment
• Galvanic insulation between current outputs, internal circuits and interface
• Outputs through 4 mm safety female sockets
• Dimensions: 450 mm W, 177 mm H, 400 mm D
• Mass of three-phase generator: 15 kg

Options
• Remote control software trimmed to customer requirements
• Carrying bag

presentation of the instrument 10

Using the calibrator

This chapter is divided into the following sections:

getting started (main features)

• display, from page 12
• start (output generation), from page 13
• parameters selection, from page 13
• change of the set point, from page 13
• selection of the working fields, from page 15
auxiliary functions
• serial connector, from page 16
• three-way connector, from page 16

Use of the calibrator 11

Getting started (main features)

At first, when the calibrator is powered, the screen displays a presentation view
that disappears when the system has terminated the initialization functions.
After the initialization the display shows the set point values for the electrical
parameters: voltages, currents, frequency and phase.
The set point page shows the symbol ≡ between the name of the parameter and
his value, while the readings page uses the symbol =.

Display
The DISPLAY key, located in the upper right corner of the keyboard, is used to al-
ternate on the screen the different sets of significant data in output generation.
In this way the operator can read all of the voltage, current, frequency, phase, ac-
tive power reactive power, cos Φ and energy values.
Pressing repeatedly the DISPLAY key, the views are shown in the sequence-
illustrated here below.

Set point values

Readings, with phase voltages

Readings, with wire to wire voltages

Active and reactive powers

Total active, reactive powers and cos ø

ARON powers

Calculated energies and related elapsed time

Views are described with more details in chapter VIEWS DESCRIPTION.

Use of the calibrator 12

Start (output generation)
The generator does not output any signal unless the user operates the key
START/STOP, in lower right corner of the panel keyboard.
From now on, the outputs will be generated with values in accordance with the
last set point settings. The lighting of the LED on the key means that the output
is active. Pressing again the START/STOP key disables the outputs and switches
off the LED.
When the output generation is started, the display changes to the readings view;
when the output generation is stopped the set point view is displayed.
In both start and stop output states, it is possible to display other screen views
pressing the DISPLAY key.
For safety reasons the voltage and current ranges can be changed only when the
generator is at rest.
To avoid long term damages to the current amplifiers remember to close the
current loop of each output on its load. Only if the set point value of one cur-
rent is zero its loop may be left open.

Parameters selection
In order to change the set point value of a parameter, the user must first select it.
Pressing the VOLTAGE, CURRENT, FREQUENCY and PHASE keys of the
SELECTION KEYBOARD the chosen parameter is selected or deselected.
Due to the selection, the LED on the corresponding key is lit and, if the set point
view is displayed, round brackets appear around the description of the chosen pa-
rameter. The brackets and the lit LED mean that the corresponding parameter
can be modified. Pressing again the key the indicators disappear and the pa-
rameter can be no longer changed.
It is possible to select and modify many parameters at one time.

Change of the set point

Once the current and voltage ranges are properly set, all the selected parameters
can be changed when the generator is both started and stopped.
Selected parameters can be changed by means of the CONTROL KEYBOARD
pressing the UP or DOWN keys. You can increment or decrement the selected
parameters by pressing the keys for smooth (∆ o ∇) or coarse ( o ) incre-
ment and decrement.
For example voltages U1, U2 and U3 or currents I1, I2 and I3 should be selected
one by one or in groups, in order to change a single parameter or all parameters
at one time (U1 and U2 or I1, I2, and I3 at once).

Use of the calibrator 13

Pressing for more than two seconds one of the smooth variation keys (∆ or ∇), the
variation speed grows higher.
The activation of the smooth or coarse control keys has different effect on each se-
lected parameter depending on its type and range.
Phase coarse variation: 5°, smooth variation: 0.1°.
Frequency coarse variation is 1 Hz, the smooth one is 0.025 Hz.
Voltage and current variations depend on selected range.
The variation step varies with the range: smooth step, with maximum resolution,
is about 1/4000 of the value at end of range.
Variations are a function of the range in the following way:

range coarse variation smooth variation

100 V 5,00 V 25 mV
200 V 10,0 V 50 mV
400 V 20,0 V 100 mV
1.5 A 0.125 A 0.5 mA
3.0 A 0.250 A 1.0 mA
6.0 A 0.500 A 2.0 mA
Table A: Variations and ranges setting

Fast smooth increment is ten times the normal smooth increment.

Pressing the 50 Hz key the generator will generate output at a 50.000 Hz fre-
quency, this value is independent from power supply frequency due to the fact
that the generator synthesizes the waves. This frequency is blocked until the op-
erator presses the "f " or the 60 Hz key.
Pressing the 60 Hz key the generator will provide voltages and currents at
60.000 Hz; pressing the "f " key the frequency parameter can be changed by the
control keyboard, with steps of 1 Hz or smooth variations of 0.025 Hz.
The "Φ", 0 ° e 90 ° phase keys and parameter follow the same rules.
Pressing the 0° key the generator will output phase-voltage and phase-current
outputs exactly in phase, whatever the frequency.
To generate phase-voltage and phase-current with 90° angle the operator should
push the 90° key.
Pressing the "Φ" key, the generator will regulate the phase between voltages and
currents at the value chosen with the control keyboard (with steps of 5° or
smooth variations of 0.1°) independently from the frequency.

Use of the calibrator 14

Selection of the working fields
When the calibrator is not generating the outputs (i.e. the LED on the key
START/STOP is not lit), it is possible to modify the range settings. To do that,
the operator should press the keys on the SCALE SELECTION KEYBOARD, on the left
of the panel keyboard.
To select a new range, just press the corresponding key. The LED indicates the
currently active ranges.
The nominal end-of-ranges values are:

100 V 200 V 400 V

1.5 A 3.0 A 6.0 A

The highest reachable values are slightly higher than nominal values.
The working fields selected, as per voltage and current, affect voltage and current
scale of all the three phases.

Use of the calibrator 15

Auxiliary functions

In the top right corner of the panel there are two connectors: the first is the
REMOTE CONTROL, 25 way D female connector, that allows the connection to the
serial port of a PC by means of a modem serial cable (9 - 25 way). Below the
REMOTE CONTROL connector, there is another connector (3 way) that communi-
cates logical messages (on/off) for energy functions.

Serial connector
It is possible to use the utility program of the calibrator on a PC. This program is
better described in the next chapter: USE OF THE INTERFACE PROGRAM. The utility
software establishes a link between the PC and the calibrator, and shows on the
monitor of the PC all the electrical parameters of the generator. The program al-
lows also to access to the recorder functions and to change date and time on the
calibrator.

Three-way connector
The default function activated by this connector is the beginning and ending of
active and reactive energy calculation. Other function can be introduced on cus-
tomer's request.
An external logical command (normally open) can drive this function.
The auxiliary contact should be connected to the two non-adjacent side-pins of
the connector. The central way is not connected.
The connection should be closed to start the energy calculation, hold close during
the whole operation and released at the end of the calculation period.
Closing the contact makes the calibrator starting the calculation of the work (ac-
tive and reactive energy). The result of this calculation is continuously refreshed
on the calibrator display on the energy view.
When the control is opened the registration ends.
Data from subsequent energy measurements are memorized in the calibrator and
can be downloaded to a file through serial communication.

Use of the calibrator 16

Description of the display-views

This chapter is divided into the following sections

• Set point values, from page 18

• Readings with phase voltages, from page 18
• Readings with wire to wire voltages, from page 18
• Powers of single phases, from page 19
• Total powers, from page 19
• Aron insertion, from page 19
• Energy calculations, from page 20
• Units of measure, from page 21

description 17
Views description

Set point values

At the power on, the generator shows the set point view on the screen. This view
displays the values of all the electrical parameters that the calibrator has to gen-
erate; the set point view reports the parameters with the symbol ≡, instead of the
symbol = reported by other views.

U1 ≡ 60.00 U2 ≡ 60.00 U3 ≡ 60.00 f ≡ 53.000

I1 ≡ 1.750 I2 ≡ 1.750 I3 ≡ 1.750 φ ≡ 60.0

Set points

This view shows all the output values. The resolution is 1 mA for the current
(three decimal digits) and 10 mV for the voltage (two decimal digits).

Readings with phase voltages

Pressing for the first time the Display key, the view of voltage and current read-
ings is displayed.

U1 = 60.00 U2 = 60.01 U3 = 59.99 f = 53.000

I1 = 1.751 I2 = 1.749 I3 = 1.750 φ = 60.0

Phase voltage and current readings

The readings have the same resolution of the set point values, but the firsts are
the real output values of the generator.
Unlike previous view, values are displayed with an equality symbol (=), instead
of the coincidence symbol (≡).

Readings with wire to wire voltages

Pressing again the Display key, the view of the wire to wire voltage and phase
current readings is displayed.

V12=103.9 V23=103.9 V31=103.9 f = 53.000

I1 = 1.751 I2 = 1.749 I3 = 1.750 φ = 60.0

Wire to wire voltage and current readings

description 18
Powers of single phases
Pressing again the Display key the view of active and reactive powers will be dis-
played. This view shows the powers for each phase, calculated by the internal
computer of the calibrator.

P1 = 52.53 P2 = 52.48 P3 = 52.49

Q1 = 91.04 Q2 = 90.96 Q3 = 90.98

Single phases powers

The values of the active and reactive powers on the three phases are calculated
from the readings of outputs. P and Q mean active and reactive power, the num-
ber indicates the output phase.

Total powers
Pressing another time the Display key, the total powers view is displayed. This
view shows total active, reactive and apparent powers, it shows also the cos Φ
value. The internal computer calculates all these values.

P = 157.5 Q = 273.0 S = 315.2

cos φ = 0.866

Total powers

Active, reactive and apparent powers refer to the sum of the three phase powers
and describe the power generated by a three phase system with neutral wire.
Cos Φ is the value of the cosine of the phase angle.

Aron insertion
Pressing for the fifth time the Display key, the Aron insertion view is displayed.
This function refers to an hypothetical three phase system without neutral wire.

Aron V12 I1; V32 I3; cos φ = 0.866

P = 157.5 Q = 273.0 S = 315.2

Aron insertion

The active power P and the reactive power Q are those of the virtual Aron watt-
meter which reads current and concatenated voltage I1 V12 and I3 V32.
The actual value of current I2 is not considered, but the value of the virtual cur-
rent I2 = - ( I1 + I3 ) is used in the calculation.

description 19
Be aware of the fact that the Aron insertion is simulated via software, so the
loop of the current I2 must always be closed, to avoid long term damages to the
current amplifier of phase 2.
The computer of the calibrator calculates also the intermediate values P12 P32
Q12 Q32 of the two virtual wattmeters of the Aron wiring. Normally these values
are not useful, but in case of interest, the user can acquire them by means of the
communication program provided with the calibrator, at the Aron menu, or using
his own program with the detailed serial command. For details see the document
“74T – Communication Protocol”.

Energy calculations
Pressing once again the Display key, the view of active and reactive energies (if
active) is displayed. These energies are calculated by the internal computer on
the basis of the time elapsed from a local or remote start. They are referred to a
three-phase system with neutral wire.

Wh: 1=2024 2=2051 3=2037; Wht=6112

VARh: 1= 302 2=307 3=305; VARht=914

Energies

Active and reactive energy are displayed on the first and second row respectively,
the number before the = symbol indicates the phase to which the energy value is
referred. At the end of the line are displayed the total values: sum of the values of
the three phases.
Pressing another time the Display key, the set point view is newly displayed; this
is again the first view described.

description 20
Units of measure
Even if it is not shown, in all the working conditions of the generator, the electri-
cal quantities are consistently shown with the same units of measure:

Voltage volt (V)

Current ampere (A)

Active power watt (W)

Reactive power (VAR)

Nominal power volt–ampere (VA)

Frequency hertz (Hz)

Phase angle degrees (°)

The electrical work is measured in:

Active work watt–hour (Wh)

Reactive energy (VARh)

The electrical work would be measured in accordance with the International Sys-
tem of unit measurements in joule (J). Take note that:

1Wh = 3600 joule = 3,6 kJ

description 21
Communication protocol

The generator can be controlled remotely by means of a personal computer, using

the serial port to establish a communication link with the instrument. The com-
mand protocol is described in the document “74T – Communication protocol”.
The parameters of the serial port must be as follows:
19200 baud
no parity
1 stop bit
8 data bit
no handshake
The wiring to the connector of the instrument (DB25 female) should be made
with a normal modem cable (DB9 female, side PC / DB25 male, side generator),
because the internal generator settings are defined as DCE (data communication
equipment).
The commands are divided in simple and complex.
The simple commands are those simulating the keyboard of the instrument, and
the generator achieved them from the computer without a response to the com-
mand.
The complex commands are dedicated to physical settings of the instrument and
the generator acknowledges all these commands sending an acknowledgment–
code to the host computer.
For detailed information see the document: “74T – Communication protocol”.

Protocollo di comunicazione 22