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N4L PPA35 Series User Manual

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PPA3500
User Manual
Issue 3.00
1
st
October 2019

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  • Page 1 PPA3500 User Manual Issue 3.00 October 2019...

  • Page 2: Important Safety Instructions

    PPA35xx user manual IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS This equipment is designed to comply with EN 61010-2- 030:2010 (Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use) – observe the following precautions: • This instrument is to be connected and operated only by qualified personnel.

  • Page 3: Danger Of Electric Shock

    PPA35xx user manual DANGER OF ELECTRIC SHOCK Only qualified personnel should install this equipment, after reading and understanding this user manual. If in doubt, consult your supplier. RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION L'installation de cet équipement ne doit être confiée qu'à un personnel qualifié ayant lu et compris le présent manuel d'utilisation.

  • Page 4: Declaration Of Conformity

    PPA35xx user manual DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY This declaration is issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer: Newtons4th Ltd. 1 Bede Island Road Leicester LE2 7EA We declare that the product: Description: Power Analyser Product name: Precision Power Analyzer Model: PPA35xx Family Conforms to the EEC Directives: 2014/30/EU relating to electromagnetic compatibility:...

  • Page 5: Warranty

    In the event of any problem with the instrument outside of the guarantee period, Newtons4th Ltd. offers a full repair re-calibration service – contact your local representative. It is recommended that the instrument is re-calibrated annually. Calibration note: • Performance test specification available from N4L upon request.

  • Page 6: About This Manual

    PPA35xx user manual ABOUT THIS MANUAL This manual describes the general features, usage and specifications of the PPA3500 PPA35xx range of power analysers. Detailed descriptions of the communications command set for RS232, USB and LAN (where fitted) is given in the separate document: PPA35xx Communications Manual.

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    PPA35xx user manual CONTENTS Introduction – general principles of operation ..1-1 Getting started ..........2-1 Temperature Limits ..........2-1 Unpacking and power-up ......... 2-1 Quick Start guide ..........3-1 Input grouping............3-2 Operating Mode Keys ..........3-3 Menu Control Keys ..........3-5 Display Control Keys ..........
  • Page 8 PPA35xx user manual COUPLING - coupling options ........8-13 RANGE - input channel options ....... 8-14 DATALOG – datalog options ........8-17 MATHS – custom result computation ....... 8-19 Application specific modes ........9-1 PWM ..............9-2 Lighting ballast ............9-3 Inrush current ............
  • Page 9 PPA35xx user manual APPENDICES Appendix A Accessories Appendix B Serial command summary Appendix C Available character set Appendix D Configurable parameters Appendix E Useful Application Guides Appendix F Contact details...

  • Page 10: Introduction - General Principles Of Operation

    PPA35xx user manual Introduction – general principles of operation The PPA3500 is a sophisticated and versatile power analyser accurate wide-bandwidth power measurements. The PPA35xx family of power analysers covers 1 to 6 phase applications in both low current and high current models.
  • Page 11 PPA35xx user manual W, VA, VAr, power factor, phase true rms, fundamental Efficiency harmonics, TIF integrated values (W hours etc.) impedance inrush current, voltage surge oscilloscope The PPA3500 is particularly easy to use, with large clear colour displays and single menu levels for all main parameters.
  • Page 12 PPA35xx user manual The current shunt is of a proprietary design which gives very wide bandwidth with a minimum phase shift. The voltage attenuator is of a proprietary design which has a wide bandwidth response and very high overload withstand capability. Both the voltage and current channels are calibrated digitally so there are no physical adjustments to be made.

  • Page 13: Getting Started

    PPA35xx user manual Getting started The PPA3500 is supplied ready to use – it comes complete with an appropriate power lead and a set of test leads. It is supplied calibrated and does not require anything to be done by the user before it can be put into service. 2.1 Temperature Limits The temperature limits for storage of the instrument and during shipping/transportation are:...
  • Page 14 PPA35xx user manual PPA3500 has a universal mains input and accepts any supply voltage from 90-265Vrms at 50 or 60Hz. Note: If the power is cycled “off-on” within a 10 second time period, the message “Turn power off for 10 seconds” appears.
  • Page 15 PPA35xx user manual In the event of any problem with this procedure, please contact customer services at Newtons4th Ltd. or your local authorised representative; contact addresses telephone numbers are given in the appendix at the back of this manual.

  • Page 16: Quick Start Guide

    PPA35xx user manual Quick Start guide The instrument is structured as two groups of up to three phases each. When using the menus, options for both groups are displayed if available. If the menu relates to system functions (eg communication options) then the options are displayed only on the left-hand side;...

  • Page 17: Input Grouping

    PPA35xx user manual 3.1 Input grouping Before setting other operational parameters, select the appropriate grouping for your application. There are three main configurations: Two independent groups A single group of 4-6 phases Two groups using the same data Press ACQU to set the grouping. A 6 phase instrument would have the following options: 1+2+3: 4+5+6 (two groups of 3 phases)

  • Page 18: Operating Mode Keys

    PPA35xx user manual 3.2 Operating Mode Keys Operating Mode selection (Power-on default is Power Analyzer – diagram below shows single-phase display. Note that with no inputs connected, the display will be showing noise levels only.) Press the POWER, HARM, RMS, or SCOPE keys to access the operating modes directly, (other modes are available via the MODE menu –...
  • Page 19 PPA35xx user manual Select Menu Options Press the Operating Mode key, e.g. POWER, a second time, or press the MODE key, to access mode-specific options (diagram below shows Power Analyzer options). Use UP and DOWN keys to highlight an option, and ENTER to confirm (see para.

  • Page 20: Menu Control Keys

    PPA35xx user manual 3.3 Menu Control Keys ENTER/NEXT confirms your selection or parameter value/data entry. HOME/ESC returns to the original entry or to your previous action. DELETE/BACK removes a previous selection or value or returns to your previous action. ARROW KEYS (UP, DOWN, L, R) move around menu options;...

  • Page 21: Display Control Keys

    PPA35xx user manual 3.4 Display Control Keys ZOOM - up to 4 displayed values may be emphasized. a. Press ZOOM to display data in zoom level 2. b. Press ZOOM twice more to move through zoom level 3 to no zoom. c.
  • Page 22 PPA35xx user manual REAL-TIME toggles between continuous display readings and holding an instantaneous reading on screen. Note: measurements continue to be taken even when display is in Hold. TABLE, GRAPH selects tabular or graphical presentation of data as collected in DATALOG (see 3.4 Setup Keys), or in Harmonic Analyzer mode.

  • Page 23: Setup Keys/Keypad

    PPA35xx user manual 3.5 Setup Keys/Keypad ACQU COUPLING RANGE DATALOG MATHS ALARM REMOTE MODE PROG SELECT MENUS for non-mode-specific configuration. Also use as numeric keypad when entering parameter values or data. ACQU – use for configuring inputs appropriate to the source and nature of signals being analyzed.
  • Page 24 PPA35xx user manual COUPLING – appropriate to input signals. RANGE – configure according to magnitude (voltage and current) of input signals. DATALOG – only available for Power Analyzer and True RMS Voltmeter modes; sampling interval and storage location. Datalog is disabled by default. (See also TABLE, GRAPH in 3.3 Display Control Keys.) APP –...

  • Page 25: Control Keys

    PPA35xx user manual 3.6 Control Keys START & STOP datalog function (when enabled) or integration (Integ mode). Either key also triggers single- shot in Scope mode. Use ZERO key for: a. Zero compensation of input amplifier chain. b. Reset integrator to zero (Integ mode). TRIGGER (or START) returns the display to Real-Time from Hold.

  • Page 26: Scope Mode

    PPA35xx user manual 3.7 Scope Mode Selecting Scope mode from the operating mode keys, or by cycling through the operating modes in any of the operating mode select options, displays voltage and current waveforms as a conventional oscilloscope – diagram below shows the default display with no inputs connected.
  • Page 27 PPA35xx user manual A typical display of voltage and current waveforms for a switched-mode power supply is shown below: When operating in Scope mode, the L and R control keys operate in one of two ways: With the cursor option ‘off’ (default), the L and R control keys change the timebase.

  • Page 28: Data Entry Guide

    PPA35xx user manual With the cursor option ‘on’ the L and R control keys change the cursor position and the UP and DOWN keys toggle between cursor 1 control and cursor 2 control. When cursors are enabled, the scope screen will display the following parameters;...
  • Page 29 PPA35xx user manual POWER is 10 (M), HARM is 10 (k), RMS is 10 (m), and SCOPE is 10 (µ). Press ENTER (menu control keys) to set value. Press HOME (menu control keys) to abort data entry, restore original. (Values may be overwritten, or edited by use of the R, L and DELETE keys) 3-14...

  • Page 30: Using The Menus

    PPA35xx user manual Using the menus The PPA3500 is a very versatile instrument with many configurable parameters. These parameters are accessed from the front panel via a number of menus. Many of the menu options can be set independently for the two groups.

  • Page 31: Selection From A List

    PPA35xx user manual parameter. In this condition, the keys take on their secondary function such as numbers 0-9 etc. Pressing the HOME key reverts to the opening state where the parameters are displayed but the cursor is hidden. Pressing the HOME key again exits the menu sequence and reverts to normal operation.
  • Page 32 PPA35xx user manual 4.1 Selection from a list This data type is used where there are only specific options available such as the smoothing may be ‘normal’, ‘slow’, or ‘none’, the graph drawing algorithm may use ‘dots’ or ‘lines’. When the flashing cursor is highlighting the parameter, the R key steps forward through the list, and the L key steps backwards through the list.

  • Page 33: Numeric Data Entry

    PPA35xx user manual 4.2 Numeric data entry Parameters such as external shunt impedance and scale factor are entered as real numbers; shunt impedance is an example of an unsigned parameter, the scale factor is an example of a signed parameter. Real numbers are entered using the number keys, multiplier keys, decimal point key, or +/- key (if signed value is permitted).

  • Page 34: Text Entry

    PPA35xx user manual 4.3 Text entry There are occasions where it is useful to enter a text string; for example, a stored program may have some text as a title. Numbers and text can be inserted using the number keys which function similarly to a phone keypad.

  • Page 35: Special Functions

    PPA35xx user manual Special functions 5.1 Display zoom The PPA3500 normally displays many results on the screen in a combination of small font size (no zoom) and up to 4 values in larger font size (first zoom level). There are two further zoom levels which can display up to four and up to three selected values respectively at larger font sizes (second and third zoom levels).

  • Page 36: Prog - Store And Recall

    PPA35xx user manual 5.2 PROG – store and recall There are 3 types of data which can be saved: Programs Datalog Measurement results There are 999 program locations where the settings for the entire instrument can be saved for recall at a later date. Each of the 999 locations has an associated name of up to 20 characters that can be entered by the user to aid identification.
  • Page 37 PPA35xx user manual that was in use when the program was stored (RS232 or USB etc). Alternatively, it is more common for the communications interface to be associated with the instrument rather than a stored program. There is a selectable option in the REMOTE menu to enable the ‘recall with program’.

  • Page 38: Screenprint

    PPA35xx user manual 5.3 Screenprint The screen display can be printed to an RS232 printer or saved to a USB memory stick as a bitmap. Press REMOTE to access the remote settings menu and select “screen print” to be USB memory stick, DPU-414 or DPU-D2 printers.

  • Page 39: Zero Compensation

    PPA35xx user manual 5.4 Zero compensation There are 2 levels of zero compensation: 1) Trim out the dc offset in the input amplifier chain. 2) Measure any remaining offset and compensate. The trim of the dc offset in the input amplifier chain can be manually invoked with the ZERO key, or over the RS232 with the REZERO command.

  • Page 40: Alarm - Alarm Function

    PPA35xx user manual 5.5 ALARM - alarm function The PPA3500 has 2 independent alarms that can be used to generate an audible warning: sound the alarm if the value exceeds a threshold sound the alarm if the value is below a threshold sound the alarm if the value is outside a window sound the alarm if the value is inside a window The values to which the alarms are applied can be any of...
  • Page 41 PPA35xx user manual The linear alarm option allows tests to be carried out even if it is not possible to see the display. Pressing ZERO in the alarm menu sets the upper and lower threshold to 4/3 and 1/3 of the measured value respectively. The repetition rate of the sounder then varies linearly as the value changes between these thresholds.

  • Page 42: Data Hold

    PPA35xx user manual 5.6 Data hold When in real-time display mode, the data on the display can be held at any time by pressing the REAL TIME key. When HOLD is activated the word HOLD flashes in the top right-hand corner of the display. Press the REAL TIME key again or the HOME key or START key to release HOLD;...

  • Page 43: Using Remote Control

    PPA35xx user manual Using remote control The PPA3500 is fitted with RS232 serial communications port and a USB port as standard and may have a LAN interface and GPIB fitted as an option. All the interfaces use the same ASCII protocol with the following end of line terminators: Rx expects Tx sends...
  • Page 44 PPA35xx user manual Data values returned by Kthe PPA3500inetiQ are in scientific notation, with a 5 digit mantissa by default. There is also an option for higher speed data transfer by selecting resolution = ‘binary’ where each value is returned in 4 bytes, each of which has the MSB set so that it will not be interpreted as an ASCII character.
  • Page 45 PPA35xx user manual A summary of the available commands is given in the Appendix. Details of each command are given in the communications manual. Commands are executed in sequence except for two special characters that are immediately obeyed: Control T (20) – reset interface (device clear) Control U (21) –...

  • Page 46: Standard Event Status Register

    PPA35xx user manual 6.1 Standard event status register bit 0 OPC (operation complete) cleared by most commands set when data available bit 2 QYE (unterminated query error) set if no message ready when data read bit 3 DDE (device-dependent error) set when the instrument has an error bit 4 EXE (execution error)

  • Page 47: Serial Poll Status Byte

    PPA35xx user manual 6.2 Serial Poll status byte bit 0 RDV (result data available) set when results are available to be read as enabled by DAVER bit 1,2 not used bit 3 ALA (alarm active) set when an alarm becomes active as enabled by ALARMER bit 4 MAV (message available) set when a message reply is waiting to be read...

  • Page 48: Rs232 Connections

    PPA35xx user manual 6.3 RS232 connections The RS232 port on PPA3500 uses the same pinout as a standard 9 pin serial port on a PC or laptop (9-pin male ‘D’ type). Function Direction in (+ weak pull up) RX data TX data not used not used...

  • Page 49: Rs232 Printer

    PPA35xx user manual 6.4 RS232 printer The RS232 port can also be connected to a serial printer for making a hard copy of any screen. When printing is enabled in the REMOTE menu then pressing START will commence a screen dump to the printer. The graphic protocol used is the ESC/P so any printer which supports this protocol should work, e.g.

  • Page 50: System Options

    PPA35xx user manual System options Press SYS to access the system options. The PPA3500’s real-time clock can be set to the current date and time. The display brightness may be set to “low” or “high” depending on viewing conditions. Measurements of phase can be expressed in one of three conventional formats: -180...
  • Page 51 PPA35xx user manual Data is normally displayed to 5 digits but it is possible to display 6 digits of resolution in zoom 2. This is particularly useful when looking at low-frequency phase angles which would then be displayed to 0.001. With no input connected the display normally shows measurements of random noise but this can be replaced with all zeroes if low-value blanking is selected.

  • Page 52: User Data

    PPA35xx user manual 7.1 User data The PPA3500 can be personalised by entering up to 3 lines of user data as text (see section on text entry). User data is displayed every time that the instrument is switched on to identify the instrument. The entered text may also be read over the communications to identify the instrument (see USER?).

  • Page 53: Measurement Options

    PPA35xx user manual Measurement options 8.1 Grouping configuration Grouping selects the arrangement of the phases into one or two groups. If a single group, then all selected phases are synchronised and their results combined to compute the sum channel. If two groups then each group can be independently configured in various wiring modes.

  • Page 54: Wiring Configuration

    PPA35xx user manual 8.2 Wiring configuration The available wiring options depend on the number of phases allocated to that group. configuration Single phase phase phase single phase 1 (4) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2 phase 3 phase 2 wattmeter ✓...
  • Page 55 PPA35xx user manual the power of a single-phase input (3 phase 2 wattmeter + phase 3 configuration). This allows direct measurement of efficiency in a 3 phase motor drive or 3 phase inverter application. The frequency reference for the independent phase 3 may be selected to be voltage, current, the mains line frequency, or the same as phase 1 &...
  • Page 56 PPA35xx user manual 8.2.1 Wiring diagrams Single Phase Two-Phase Two Wattmeter...
  • Page 57 PPA35xx user manual Three-Phase Two Wattmeter Three Three Phase Phase Source Load Three Phase-Three Wattmeter - simulated neutral Three Three Phase Phase Source Load...
  • Page 58 PPA35xx user manual Three Phase Three Wattmeter – Star Connections Three Three Phase Phase Source Load To configure PPA35xx to calculate the correct phase power when the Load topology is in a Star Configuration; Access “Power Analyzer” mode either through the “Mode” or the “POWER”...
  • Page 59 PPA35xx user manual Three Phase Three Wattmeter– Delta Connections To configure PPA35xx to calculate the correct phase power when the Load topology is in a Delta Configuration; Access “Power Analyzer” mode either through the “Mode” or the “POWER” button as per the screenshot below Press 7 times until red box surrounds “conversion”...
  • Page 60 PPA35xx user manual On a multi-phase wiring configuration, all the phases usually same input control data – internal/external, scaling factor etc. It is possible to enable ‘independent ranging’ so that the phases can be set up differently – press RANGE. This is useful if different scaling factors are required for external shunts or if one phase is using internal shunt when others are external.

  • Page 61: Acqu - Acquisition Options

    PPA35xx user manual 8.3 ACQU - Acquisition options In normal acquisition mode, the window over which the measurements are computed is adjusted to give an integral number of cycles of the input waveform. The results from each window are passed through a digital filter equivalent to a first-order RC low pass filter.
  • Page 62 PPA35xx user manual When Speed: Window is set, the smoothing time constant is nominally 4.5 times (normal) and 18 times (slow) the window size (synchronised to the frequency). The smoothing response is usually set to ‘auto-reset’ where the filtering is reset in response to a significant change in data.
  • Page 63 PPA35xx user manual 8.3.1 Advanced options Pressing ACQU to access the acquisition control menu then the RIGHT arrow key gives access to some advanced options which would not be needed for most normal measurement applications. The displayed name of the groups default to SUM1 and SUM2 but these can be changed for clarity, for example, to “input”...
  • Page 64 PPA35xx user manual measured frequency displayed this overwritten with the known frequency. This entered frequency is then used for all the analysis and the frequency of the input signal is not measured. There is also the option for “dynamic” frequency control where the measurement frequency is taken as that measured on the previous window even if the measured frequency has changed significantly.

  • Page 65: Coupling - Coupling Options

    PPA35xx user manual 8.4 COUPLING - coupling options There are three coupling options - AC only, AC+DC, or DC only. AC+DC coupling is the normal option and should be used where possible. AC coupling should be used for measuring signals that are biased on a dc level (such as an amplifier operating on a single supply or the output of a dc PSU).

  • Page 66: Range - Input Channel Options

    PPA35xx user manual 8.5 RANGE - input channel options All the input channels are fully isolated from each other and from earth with very high CMRR (common-mode rejection ratio). They are controlled independently but sampled synchronously. Each input channel has an external input as well as an internal shunt or high voltage attenuator.
  • Page 67 (subject to noise) headroom so, for example, the 300Vpk range has an actual peak input value of 360Vpk allowing for the 20% headroom. All N4L analyzers auto-range to the waveform peak, this is vitally important as it ensures that the waveform is not clipped...
  • Page 68 PPA35xx user manual autoranging may be selected if it is known that the signal will not be below a certain level. There is also an option to autorange ‘up only’ so that a test may be carried out to find the highest range. Once the highest range has been determined, the range can be set to manual and the test carried out without losing any data due to range changing.

  • Page 69: Datalog - Datalog Options

    PPA35xx user manual 8.6 DATALOG – datalog options PPA3500 can store and display measurements recorded at regular intervals over a time period. Each data record consists of the elapsed time and up to four data values selected by ZOOM. The instrument can graph and display all four sets of measurements simultaneously.
  • Page 70 PPA35xx user manual elapsed time taken first data measurement after START. The data can be viewed as a table or as individual graphs. Pressing GRAPH steps the graph through the stored parameters. If more than 250 records have been stored, the graph can show the data for the whole period or pressing ZOOM redraws the graph to show 250 records about the cursor.

  • Page 71: Maths - Custom Result Computation

    PPA35xx user manual 8.7 MATHS – custom result computation Non-standard results computed from combination of voltage and current parameters, signals on the torque and speed inputs, and constants. There are 3 formulae, each combining up to 4 terms: 1: (term1 + term2) / (term3+term4) 2: (term1 + term2) x term3 / term4 3: term1 x term2 / (term3+term4) Each term comprises a result, scaled by a signed factor, or...

  • Page 72: Application Specific Modes

    PPA35xx user manual Application specific modes Select the application-specific options from the APP menu. Selecting the application sets the application mode and shows some key parameters in the menu. To set the default settings for the application move the cursor to highlight the box “Press ENTER here to load”...

  • Page 73: Pwm

    PPA35xx user manual 9.1 PWM The nature of the waveforms in a PWM motor drive application makes the measurement of the fundamental frequency difficult. Within the application mode for PWM motor drive, it is possible to select one of seven predetermined frequency filter ranges, 64Hz, 250Hz, 1KHz, 4KHz, 16KHz, 64KHz or 250KHz.

  • Page 74: Lighting Ballast

    PPA35xx user manual 9.2 Lighting ballast Electronic lighting ballast waveforms consist of a high- frequency carrier signal modulated by the line frequency. PPA3500 measures the line frequency independently of the input waveform frequency synchronises measurement period to the line frequency. The carrier frequency measurement ignores any ‘dead- band’...

  • Page 75: Inrush Current

    PPA35xx user manual 9.3 Inrush current Measurement of inrush current (surge) requires very fast sampling to catch highest instantaneous value. Measurements must be made under conditions of manual ranging and with the voltage applied to the instrument. Then when the load is switched on the highest peak value can be detected.
  • Page 76 PPA35xx user manual To utilise “range up only” to determine an appropriate range, it is advisable to make the following settings; 1. Speed, medium 2. Smoothing, fixed time 3. Low-frequency mode, ON 4. RANGE, current, range up only After these settings are made, the device under test should be connected to the voltage source repeatedly until the range up only function no longer “ranges up”.
  • Page 77 AUX menu. Having selected the default settings, the current range should be set to an appropriate range for the DUT. The oscilloscope mode is also useful for qualitatively evaluating the inrush current. Note: • Short term inrush current specification available from N4L upon request.

  • Page 78: Transformer Mode

    PPA35xx user manual 9.4 Transformer mode Large power transformers operate at very low power factor (<0.01) and the phase accuracy is critical to measure the losses. Power transformer application mode sets the configuration options to the optimum for phase accuracy eg.

  • Page 79: Standby Power Measurement

    PPA35xx user manual 9.5 Standby power measurement In order to minimise standby power, some devices operate in a ‘dormant’ mode whereby power is only drawn from the supply when needed. These devices draw very little current for most of the time and then draw a larger current for a single cycle to charge a reservoir capacitor.

  • Page 80: Auxiliary Devices

    PPA35xx user manual 10 Auxiliary Devices Auxiliary devices are connected to the 15 way D type “extension” port on the rear of the instrument. They are selected via the AUX menu. 10.1 PCIS Inrush Switch Phase Controlled Inrush Switch – an accessory for the PPA range to provide the precise measurement of Inrush Current on a single-phase AC load.

  • Page 81: Power Measurements

    PPA35xx user manual 11 Power measurements In the POWER mode, PPA3500 measures the following values for each phase: Parameter Type Units Frequency elementary True power elementary Apparent power secondary Reactive power secondary Power factor secondary RMS voltage elementary RMS current elementary Fundamental power secondary...
  • Page 82 PPA35xx user manual valid for all waveshapes. Secondary parameters are computed from one or more of the elementary parameters (eg. VA = Vrms x Arms). Not all of the parameters listed are displayed in POWER mode but they are all computed. A multi-phase instrument also computes the equivalent values for total power (SUM channel) and the values for the NEUTRAL current.

  • Page 83: Individual Phase Computations

    PPA35xx user manual 11.1 Individual phase computations The power dissipated in a load subjected to a periodic voltage, v(), with a current flowing a(), is given by: 2  w = 1/2 v().a() d For a sampled signal, the formula becomes: i = n-1 ...
  • Page 84 PPA35xx user manual The dc present is given by: 2  dc = 1/2 v() d For a sampled signal, the formula becomes: i = n-1  dc = 1/n v[i] i = 0 Where n is the number of samples for an integral number of complete cycles of the input waveform.
  • Page 85 PPA35xx user manual The fundamental in-phase and quadrature values of a periodic waveform, v(), are given by: 2  = 1/ v().cos() d 2  = 1/ v().sin() d For a sampled signal, the formulae become: i = n-1  ...
  • Page 86 PPA35xx user manual From these elementary ‘a’ and ‘b’ values of voltage and current, the following secondary values can be derived: fundamental Watts fundamental VA fund power factor / VA fund fund fundamental VAr The signs of Watts and VAr are a direct result of the computation (watts has the sign of cos(phase angle), VAr has the sign of sin(phase angle)).

  • Page 87: Sum Computations

    PPA35xx user manual 11.2 Sum computations When in 3 phase wiring modes (2 Wattmeter or 3 Wattmeter), the values for the total load are computed from the data for each individual channel. W, VAr, W.f, VAr.f, W.dc, and W.h are computed as the sum of the individual phase data.

  • Page 88: Neutral Synthesis

    PPA35xx user manual 11.3 Neutral synthesis In 3 phase 3 wattmeter configuration, the values for the neutral current are synthesised from the calibrated values of the three phases. By Kirchoff’s law, the sum of the instantaneous currents flowing into a node must be zero. By convention neutral current is regarded as flowing out of the load so the neutral current can be derived from the sum of the three-phase currents.

  • Page 89: Phase To Phase Computations

    PPA35xx user manual 11.4 Phase to phase computations In 3 phase 3 wattmeter configuration, the voltmeters are connected across each individual phase and neutral. The phase to phase voltages are synthesised from the individual phase data: display phase computation phase 1 phase 1 –...

  • Page 90: Efficiency

    PPA35xx user manual 11.5 Efficiency Within a single group, efficiency may be computed as a ratio of: phase 1 and phase 2 power phase 3 and sum power mechanical power and sum power In both cases, either term may be input power or output power.

  • Page 91: Torque & Speed

    PPA35xx user manual 11.6 Torque & Speed Dedicated BNC inputs are provided for torque and speed measurement. Each input can either be for an analogue sensor (+/-10V) or a logic level pulsed input (+/-10V). The analogue inputs can be scaled in Nm/V or rpm/V and the pulsed input is scaled in Nm/Hz or pulses/revolution.

  • Page 92: Integrated Power Measurements

    PPA35xx user manual 12 Integrated power measurements In the INTEG mode, PPA3500 computes the following additional values: Parameter Units Watt hours VA hours VAr hours VArh Average power factor Average rms voltage Ampere hours Fundamental watt hours Fundamental VA hours Fundamental VAr hours VArh Average fundamental power factor...
  • Page 93 PPA35xx user manual STOP button had been pressed. Setting the integration time to zero, disables the timer. The Watt hour integration and the Ampere hour integration can be selected to be signed or magnitude. To integrate the total power in terms of heating effect, choose magnitude.

  • Page 94: True Rms Voltmeter

    PPA35xx user manual 13 True RMS Voltmeter The RMS voltmeter displays the additional secondary parameters of ac, crest factor, surge, mean and form factor: Having computed the true rms and the dc component, the ac component can be derived from: = ac + dc =>...
  • Page 95 PPA35xx user manual where n is the number of samples for an integral number of complete cycles of the input waveform. Note that the mean value will not give the same measurement as rms. The form factor indicates the ratio of mean to rms: form factor = rms / mean For an undistorted sinewave, the form factor is given by:...

  • Page 96: Harmonic Analyser

    PPA35xx user manual 14 Harmonic analyser The HARM mode of PPA3500 computes multiple DFTs on the input waveforms in real-time. There are two modes of operation: difference THD, and series harmonics. Series harmonic mode includes options for THD, TIF, THF, TRD, TDD and phase. There is also an option of a series harmonic bar graph display which shows both the voltage and current harmonics simultaneously.
  • Page 97 PPA35xx user manual TIF is defined by IEEE standard 115 and the weighting factors are given in ANSI standard C50-13. The harmonic factors for TIF are specified for harmonics of 60Hz. THF (Telephone Harmonic Factor) is a similar computation to TIF but uses different weighting factors and is expressed as a percentage.
  • Page 98 PPA35xx user manual than TDD unless the measured rms current is greater than the entered rated current. The value for TRD and TDD will always be lower than the computed THD as rms is always greater than the fundamental. i = n ...
  • Page 99 PPA35xx user manual Harmonic phase angle reference As phase angle is a measurement of the relative difference between the computed harmonic and the zero phase angle reference, it is important to understand what the harmonic is being referred to. Single-phase The default phase angle reference is voltage fundamental but can be set by menu option to current fundamental.
  • Page 100 PPA35xx user manual reference, normally phase 1 voltage; while the harmonic phase angles of each phase are expressed relative to their own phase, normally voltage as with single phase. So on a three-phase system with the same waveform on each phase displaced by 120 degrees at the fundamental, the harmonic measurements would show the same phase angle on each phase (because they are referred to their...
  • Page 101 PPA35xx user manual Harmonic Factor The Harmonic Voltage Factor and Harmonic Current Factor are defined in section 7.2.1.1 of EN60034-1:2010. Harmonic Voltage Factor. HVF is the square root of the sum of the squared voltage harmonics divided their harmonic number, harmonics 2 to 13 excluding those divisible by 3.
  • Page 102 PPA35xx user manual Harmonic Current Factor. The HCF is the square root of the sum of the squared current harmonics for Harmonics 2 to 13. Note: the harmonics are not divided by the harmonic number, nor are those divisible by 3 excluded. It is effectively the same as THD with the maximum harmonic set to 13.

  • Page 103: Impedance Meter

    PPA35xx user manual 15 Impedance meter The IMP mode on PPA3500 uses the real and imaginary components at the fundamental frequency using DFT analysis described previously compute impedance of the load and associated parameters. From the fundamental components of voltage, (a + jb), and those of the current, (c + jd), PPA3500 computes the complex impedance given by: z = v / i...
  • Page 104 PPA35xx user manual to the phase of the measurement. Alternatively, the display can be forced to capacitance, inductance or impedance. Capacitance is displayed with tan, inductance is displayed with Q factor, and impedance is displayed in its resistive + reactive form and as magnitude. The phase of the impedance is displayed with all options.

  • Page 105: Oscilloscope Mode (Ppa35Xx Only)

    PPA35xx user manual 16 Oscilloscope mode (PPA35xx only) PPA3500 provides a storage oscilloscope function in order to view the waveforms being measured. The display for the oscilloscope is divided into 10 divisions along the time axis with the selected timebase displayed in units of time/division.
  • Page 106 PPA35xx user manual The data source for the trigger can be selected to be either voltage or current. On a multiphase instrument, any of the phases may be selected for the trigger source. The trigger level is set directly in Volts or Amps and does not change if the range is changed, i.e.
  • Page 107 PPA35xx user manual Autoranging can be used with the oscilloscope functions but it is more customary to fix the range manually particularly when looking for a single event in ‘single shot’ mode. Manual ranging is essential for rare events with a low mark space ratio.

  • Page 108: Phase Meter

    PPA35xx user manual 17 Phase meter The phase meter mode is a secondary function which does not have a separate button. It is selected by stepping through the operating mode via the MODE menu. The phase meter uses the terminology of channel 1 for voltage and channel 2 for current as it is normal to use a phase meter to compare voltages directly.

  • Page 109: Specifications & Comparisons

    PPA35xx user manual 18 Specifications & Comparisons Frequency Range Normal: DC and 10mHz to 1MHz Range 1+ 2: DC and 10mHz to 100kHz Voltage Input Ranges: 100mVpk to 2500Vpk (1000Vrms) in 10 ranges Accuracy: 1V -2500Vpk Range:0.04%Rdg +0.1%Rng +(0.005% x kHz Rdg) +5mV* Range 1+2: 0.04%Rdg +0.1%Rng +(0.01% x kHz Rdg) +1mV* External sensor input: 1mVpk to 3Vpk in 8 ranges –...
  • Page 110 PPA35xx user manual [0.06% +0.1%/pf +(0.01% x kHz)/pf] Rdg +0.03%VA Rng DC Accuracy Voltage: Normal: 0.1% Rdg + 0.1% Rng + 10mV Range 1+2: 0.1% Rdg + 0.1% Rng + 2mV Current: (20Arms) Normal: 0.1% Rdg + 0.1% Rng + 1mA Range 1+2: 0.1% Rdg + 0.1% Rng + 200µA (30Arms) Normal:0.1% Rdg + 0.1% Rng + 3mA...
  • Page 111 PPA35xx user manual Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) Accuracy ��=�� ) √ ∑ ( ℎ�� + ℎ�� ���������� ) ������ + ������ ���������� = ( ��=2 ℎ1+ ℎ1 ���������� Voltage: hi error (Voltage) = 0.05% hi rdg + 0.1% rng + 0.005% * KHz + 5mV Range 1+2: hi error (Voltage) = 0.05% hi rdg + 0.1% rng + 0.01% * KHz + 1mV Current:...
  • Page 112 USB device – 2.0 and 1.1 compatible (Note USB Memory stick maximum capacity 2GB) GPIB optional Extension N4L accessory port N4L auxiliary port Physical Display 960 x 272 pixel 8.3” colour TFT Size 92H x 405W x 312D mm – excluding feet Weight 4kg –...
  • Page 113 PPA35xx user manual PPA SERIES COMPARISON TABLE PPA1500/500 PPA3500 PPA5500 Phases Maximum V & A phases Accuracy Basic V & A reading + range 0.05% + 0.1% 0.04% + 0.1% 0.01% + 0.038% Power reading + VA range 0.1% + 0.1% 0.1% + 0.05% 0.03% + 0.03% Voltage Input...

  • Page 114: General Maintenance And Functional Checks

    (4mm yellow/black connections), does the PPA measure correctly? 5. If no: contact N4L, If yes, move on to step 6 6. Apply external voltage (<3Vpk) to all external inputs (BNC), set inputs to “external attenuator and external shunt” in...

  • Page 115: Appendix A - Accessories

    PPA35xx user manual Appendix A – Accessories Supplied Standard Accessories Leads Power, RS232, USB Connection 20Arms rated 1.5 meter long leads with 4mm – cables stackable terminals 1x Yellow, 1 x Red and 2x Black per phase Connection 4mm terminated alligator clips – clips 1x Yellow, 1 x Red and 2x Black per phase Documentation...
  • Page 116 A range of high bandwidth external shunts is available to extend the operating range of the current measurements. The external shunts are built using an N4L proprietary shunt design to give high accuracy from DC to 1MHz. They are designed to comply with the safety standards of BS EN61010-1 to 1000V rms cat II.
  • Page 117 PPA35xx user manual PCIS - Phase controlled inrush switch To measure the maximum inrush current of a load it is important to switch on the supply to it at the worst point in the cycle – usually 90˚ or 270˚ for a capacitive load, 0˚ or 180˚...
  • Page 118 PPA35xx user manual Ultra low capacitance high voltage probes The PPA3500 voltage inputs have a capacitance to ground of around 50pF but even this low value can cause problems with high frequency high voltage waveforms. The ultra-low capacitance high voltage probes use a differential input arrangement optimised for minimum capacitance to achieve an input capacitance to ground less than 1pF with an input range up to ±3kV pk and a bandwidth from dc to 2MHz...
  • Page 119 PPA35xx user manual External input attenuator The PPA3500 voltage inputs have a +/-3V peak external input for use with probes or attenuators. A divide by 10 or divide by 20 passive attenuator with a bandwidth of dc-30MHz (+/-1dB) is available to extend the +/-3V peak input to +/-30V and +/-60V respectively.
  • Page 120 PPA35xx user manual ADI40 Multi-Channel DC Analogue<>Digital Data Logger with Multiple Analogue Output The ADI40 extends the versatility of the PPA3500, collecting a multitude of DC measurements and streaming the data digitally to the Power Analyzer. Featuring 4x, 8x, 12x or 16x direct thermocouple inputs (type J or type k), 4x, 8x, 12x or 16x analogue DC inputs and 20x analogue DC outputs.
  • Page 121 PPA35xx user manual CommVIEW PC software CommVIEW is a self-contained software program for a PC, which facilitates communication with PPA3500 over RS232, USB or LAN. CommVIEW allows strings to be sent and received between a PC and PPA3500. The strings can be viewed in a window and optionally stored in a file.

  • Page 122: Appendix B - Serial Command Summary

    PPA35xx user manual Appendix B – Serial command summary command format reply format *CLS *ESE,value *ESR? single integer data value *IDN? company,product,serial no,version *OPC? 0 or 1 *RST *SRE,value single integer data value *SRE? *STB? single integer data value *TRG *TST? single integer data value *WAI...
  • Page 123 PPA35xx user manual DAVER? single integer data value DISPLAY,page DISPLAY? multiple real data values EFFICI,value EFFICI? total efficiency, fundamental efficiency FAST on/off FQLOCK,type, value FQREF,phase,channel FREQUE,frequency FSD? calibrated range GROUP,value GROUP1,value HARMON,para,h,max HARMON,phase? freq,mag1,mag2,hmag1,hmag2,h1,h2, thd1,thd2,hphase1,hphase2 HARMON,SERIES? mag,%, X n harmonics HARMON,phase,SERIES? mag,phase, X n harmonics HOLD,on/off...
  • Page 124 PPA35xx user manual POWER,phase,WATTS? freq,W,W.f, VA,VA.f,Var,Var.f,pf,pf.f, Wdc,W.h POWER,phase,VOLTAGE? , freq,rms,mag,dc, peak,cf,mean,ff, harmonic POWER,phase,CURRENT? , freq,rms,mag,dc, peak,cf,mean,ff, harmonic   POWER,PH-PH? freq,rms1,mag1, 1,rms2,mag2,  rms3,mag3, POWER,RMS? freq,vrms1,vdc1,arms1,adc1,vrms2, vdc2,arms2,adc2,vrms3,vdc3, arms3, adc3 POWER,VECTORS?    freq,mag1, 1,mag2, 2,mag3,    7, mag4, 4,mag5, mag6,...
  • Page 125 PPA35xx user manual TORQSP? power,torque,speed USBLOCK,on/off USER? 3 CR terminated text strings VARCON,type VERSIO? datecode,cpu,dsp,fpga,boot VRMS VRMS,PHASE,RMS? Vrms,Arms,Vdc,Adc,Vac,Aac VRMS,PHASE,MEAN? Vrms,Arms,Vmean,Amean,Vff,Aff VRMS,PHASE,SURGE? Vrms,Arms,Vpk,Apk,Vcf,Acf,Vsurge,Asurge WIRING,type ZERO ZERO,DELETE ZOOM,level,d1,d2,d3,d4 ZOOM? level,d1,d2,d3,d4...

  • Page 126: Appendix C - Available Character Set

    PPA35xx user manual Appendix C – Available character set The following characters can be selected in text entry mode. The table is to be read across then down (eg, starting at space and repeatedly pressing NEXT gives ! “ # $ % & ‘ ( ) * etc.) “...

  • Page 127: Appendix D - Configurable Parameters

    PPA35xx user manual Appendix D – Configurable parameters All parameters can be accessed using the CONFIG command: CONFIG,parameter? CONFIG,parameter,data Where the config can be different between the two groups the command applies to the current “active” group Number Function Dual System parameters operating mode digital resolution...
  • Page 128 PPA35xx user manual input range channel 2 input ranging channel 1 input ranging channel 2 coupling bandwidth scale factor channel 1 voltage scale factor channel 2 current external attenuator channel 1 external shunt channel 2 enable noise filter noise filter frequency Voltage or current frequency reference frequency reference phase Display parameters...
  • Page 129 PPA35xx user manual Maths parameters formula argument 1 sub-argument 1 coefficient 1 argument 2 sub-argument 2 coefficient 2 Miscellaneous parameters user window frequency minimum frequency Application mode parameters application mode filter strength ballast frequency tracking speed PWM low-frequency mode More maths parameters argument 3 sub-argument 3 coefficient 3...
  • Page 130 PPA35xx user manual torque offset speed offset Harmonic analyser parameters computation mode selected harmonic maximum harmonic harmonic bargraph voltage rated current for TRD harmonic bargraph current Oscilloscope parameters timebase trigger level pretrigger trigger polarity trigger mode trigger reference trigger phase cursors enable trigger HF reject traces...
  • Page 131 PPA35xx user manual LCR meter parameters parameter measurement Offset Phase meter parameters voltage peak rectified mean dB offset computation System parameters RS232 printer enable IEEE address interface recall with program Alarm functions alarm 1 data alarm 1 type alarm 1 high threshold alarm 1 low threshold alarm latch alarm sounder...
  • Page 132 PPA35xx user manual external attenuator channel 3 external shunt channel 4 enable noise filter noise filter frequency Voltage or current frequency reference frequency reference phase Miscellaneous parameters tag reply high speed mode enable system calibration Input parameters (phase 3 or 6) enable channel 5 enable channel 6 input range channel 5...
  • Page 133 PPA35xx user manual set date (day) set date (month) set clock (year)

  • Page 134: Appendix E - Useful Application Guides

    PPA35xx user manual Appendix E – Useful Application Guides App Note 009 Power accuracy at specified frequency and phase angle App Note 013 Efficiency Measurements of AC – DC Power supplies using the PPA1500 series Power Analyzers App Note 014 Phase 2 Wattmeter Explained –...
  • Page 135 PPA35xx user manual App Note 036 6 & 7 Phase Motor Drive Analysis App Note 038 Understanding Power Calibration...

  • Page 136: Appendix F - Contact Details

    PPA35xx user manual Appendix F – Contact details Please direct all queries or comments regarding the PPA3500 instrument or manual to: Newtons4th Ltd. 1 Bede Island Road Leicester LE2 7EA United Kingdom Tel: (0116) 230 1066 international +44 116 230 1066 Fax: (0116) 230 1061 international...
  • Page 138 PPA35xx PPA3500 comments serial main release: date: number: dsp release: fpga release: boot release: (press SYS then LEFT) Your contact details: Comments: A detailed description of application or circumstances: Please post or fax to Newtons4th Ltd.

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