25 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP IN POWER METROLOGY
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PPA3500 – Motor/Inverter Analysis, Renewable Energy

High Performance 6 Phase Power Analysis

The PPA3500 is a high accuracy 3~6(7) phase power analyzer able to perform reliable, accurate power analysis in a variety of applications. As a result of innovative analogue card design, the PPA3500 is packaged in a compact 2U chassis. The PPA3500 is available in 3, 4, 5 or 6 phase configurations as well as a computed 7th phase. There is also the option to install the unit in a 19in rack providing a 2U 6(7) Phase solution, see our accessories page for more details. The PPA3500 power analyzer benefits from a full color “Dual” TFT display, this concept employs two TFT displays within one instrument, allowing for a large widescreen display area in a 2U form factor.

N4A UKAS ISO17025 logo

Why choose a Newtons4th Power Analyzer?

  • Only Power Analyzer in market designed specifically for inverter drive applications
  • Best Wideband Power Accuracy in class
  • 1MHz Bandwidth
  • Extremely high accuracy phase measurement of 0.01deg
  • ISO17025 (UKAS) traceable certification supplied
  • Low profile – 2U High, up to 6(7) Phase measurement
  • Unrivaled product support
  • PWM Motor drive mode for quick easy setup

All required inputs included as Standard

The PPA3500 includes all ports fitted as standard including Internal(4mm) and External(BNC), Torque, Speed, RS232, LAN, USB, GPIB.

Example Applications

  • PWM Inverter Drive Efficiency Analysis
  • Standby Power
  • AC/DC Converters
  • Solar Arrays
  • UPS
  • Power Quality
  • High Frequency Power Electronics

Proprietary Technology

Featuring the industry renowned planar shunt technology (A shunt design topology developed by N4L) and FPGA based real time no gap analysis techniques, the PPA3500 is able to provide ground breaking 6(7) phase analysis performance. Real-Time no gap analysis ensures efficiency measurements are entirely synchronized between input and output.

All PPA3500 units are supplied with UKAS ISO17025 certification as standard, this is performed at N4L in the UK in our accredited ISO17025 Laboratory.

ISO17025 Calibration and Verification

Every PPA3500 Power Analyzer supplied by N4L is provided with both a UKAS Accredited calibration certificate up to 850Hz, as well as a UKAS Traceable calibration certificate up to 1MHz. N4L have developed a number of bespoke power calibrators in order to verify the accuracy of every power analyzer supplied over its entire frequency range, this is surprisingly uncommon within the instrumentation industry. Furthermore, development of an ISO17025 (UKAS) accredited Closed Loop Calorimeter in partnership with Oxford University (UK) has verified the performance of the N4L custom designed power calibration rigs with a very low uncertainty level, providing absolute confidence that the wide band performance of all N4L power analyzers is market leading.

Calibration Options

1. Standard Recalibration – Included with new instruments – Included with RMA Calibration
Wideband calibration (DC-2MHz) with optimisation of measurements on all ranges over the complete instrument bandwidth. Traceable to UKAS but not ‘accredited’.
4. UKAS IEC61000 H+F Calibration – Optional with new instruments or RMA calibration
UKAS accredited calibration of PPA55x1 series units that includes all prevailing type test protocols for fully compliant Harmonic and Flicker testing.
This option can only be specified in addition to option 1 and option 2 calibration.
2. UKAS (ISO17025) Calibration – Included with new instruments – Optional with RMA Calibration
UKAS Accredited calibration of Voltage, Current, Phase (PF) and Power on all ranges from 55-850Hz.
In addition to the calibration certificates, the PPA will be fitted with a UKAS calibration label. This option can only be specified in addition to option 1.


5. PPA55xx-TE Calibration – Included with PPA-TE order – Optional with RMA Calibration
UKAS calibration that includes a series of low power factor tests down to 0.01 PF over the frequency range of 16-450Hz.
This option can only be specified in addition to option 1 and option 2 calibration

3. System Calibration – Optional with new instruments or RMA calibration
UKAS accredited calibration of a PPA together with an external sensor.
This option is separate to option 1 & 2 which must both be specified in addition when system calibration is required.
Note: This is end-to-end calibration of the of the PPA+sensor ‘system’ at nine N4L defined test points. (3 current levels @ 3 different frequencies)
6. UKAS calorimeter power calibration – Optional with new instruments or RMA calibration
UKAS accredited power calibration via calorimetry. Available at customer requested frequency(s) and with sinusoidal or harmonically distorted wave shapes within a frequency range of 45Hz to 2MHz.
This option can only be specified in addition to option 1 and option 2 calibration

Features & Benefits

PPA3500 Power Analyzer Product Overview
Excellent Accuracy 0.03% Typical
2U Form Factor The worlds only high accuracy 6 phase power analyzer in 2U form factor*
1MHz Bandwidth Wide Bandwidth ideal for distorted signal analysis such as PWM Inverter drives
Intuitive User Interface “Quick Keys” and alpha numerical keypad
Torque and Speed inputs fitted as standard +/- 10V, Analogue DC and Pulsed Inputs
Total System Efficiency Calculation Real time monitoring and efficiency calculation of Electrical to Electrical and Electrical to Mechanical
Ideal for Inverter Drive Analysis Electric Vehicle, Variable Speed Drives, Industrial and other applications
8 Phase Analysis Use 3P2W + CH3 + 3P2W + CH3 to measure 8 phases including 3 Phase Input Power, DC Bus and 3 Phase Output Power
DFT Based Power Calculation Utilize the Power of DFT Fourier analysis, made possible using top of the range DSPs and FPGAs.
3 Phase Power Measurement with only 2 Watt-meters Unique “3 Watt-meter conversion” mode provides independent phase power information when utilizing 3 Phase 2 watt-meter mode

Brochures Documentation
PPA3500_Brochure PDF, 4.17Mb PPA35xx User Manual_v4 4PDF, 661kb
PPA3500 Dimensions PDF, 76kb PPA3500 Comms Manual v4 PDF, 650kb
PPA3500 Rack Dimensions PDF,65kb Power_Analyzer_Product_Selector PDF, 236kb
PPA Datalogger User Manual PDF, 3.31Mb PPA Datalogger Brochure PDF, 2Mb
Precision Power Analyzer design Philosophies PDF, 3.1Mb PPA Series Calibration guide

*According to N4L research, accuracy of 0.1% or better

PPA3500

PPA3500 Accessories and Options

COMMS_ICON Communications Interfaces:
  • Standard: USB, LAN, RS232,  & GPIB Communication Ports
PROBE_ICON Probes and Probe Accessory Options:
  • ULCP Ultra Low Capacitance Probes (Active, For use with DUT’s susceptible to capacitive loading) – 1.5pF, 1000Vrms, dc to 2MHz, 1000:1
  • TT-HV 250 High Voltage Probe (Passive) – 2.5kVpk, 100:1
  • TT-HVP 15HF High Voltage Probe – 15kVpk, 1000:1
  • ATT10 – 10:1 Attenuator (For use when voltage probe output does not meet PPA ext. input 3Vpk max rating) – For connection to PPA ext input and external attenuating probes.
  • ATT20 – 20:1 Attenuator (For use when voltage probe output does not meet PPA ext. input 3Vpk max rating) – For connection to PPA ext input and external attenuating probes.
EXTENSION_ICON Extension Port and Accessory Options:
  • ADI40 40 Channel Analogue <> Digital IO Interface
  • PCIS – Phase controlled inrush for (Use when control of DUT source with respect to phase angle is required)
CONNECTOR_ICON Leads, Connection and Interface Options:
  • 20A Connection lead set for one phase (supplied as standard) – 20Arated, 1.5m long + Alligator Clips
  • 36A Connection lead set for one phase – 36A rated, 1.5m long + Alligator Clips
  • Voltage Breakout Lead set – 3 x 2m BNC to BNC with 4mm Banana Voltage break out leads + 2 x voltage low shorting leads (For use when distance between analyser and DUT is large and HF series external shunt is being used, facilitates short voltage connections.
  • Universal Breakout Box – Single Phase 10Arms Universal Breakout box
  • RS232 Cable (Supplied as Standard) – 9 Pin null modem cable
  • USB Cable (Supplied as standard) – 2m long A Male to B Male USB Cable
CASES_ICON Carry Cases:
  • PPA3500 Soft Carry Case – Black Nylon Padded Case with accessory space, handle and strap
RACK_ICON Rack Mounting Kit Options:
CALIBRATION_ICON Calibration and Documentation (Unit supplied with UKAS ISO17025 certificate as standard when new):
  • Standard Recalibration (ISO17025 Traceable) – 1~6 Phase PPA (PPA3500)
  • ISO17025 UKAS Calibration + Standard Calibration – 1~6 Phase PPA (PPA3500)
  • PPA35xx Loan Instrument available upon request during Calibration or Repair (Available in Europe only)
  • Spare set of user manuals – Hard copy of user and communications manual
CLAMP_ICON Current Measurement Options:
PC_ICON PC Software (Free of charge):

Application Notes and Related Articles

Video Tutorials

Tutorial 1 : Power Analyzer Turn on and External Shunt Configuration

Tutorial 2 : PWM Motor Drive Efficiency Measurements

Tutorial 2a : PWM Motor Driver Efficiency Measurements (Extended version)

Tutorial 3 : Standby Power Measurement of a USB Mains Adaptor

Tutorial 4 : AC/DC Converter Efficiency Measurements

 

Application Notes

For application notes please see the app note section of our Knowledge Database

Parameter
Basic Accuracy
V, A error
Power error0.1%rdg + 0.05rng
Phase Options
Internal1 - 6
Bandwidth
0 - 5ADC - 1MHz
5A - 30ADC - 1MHz
Voltage Input
Max Input Voltage3000Vpk
Number of Ranges8 plus x10
Direct Current Input
Number of Ranges8 plus x10
Features
No Gap AnalysisYes
Sample RateNominal 1Ms/s auto anti-alias
Basic V and A Accuracy at 10Hz0.05% Rdg + 0.1% Rng
Basic V and A Accuracy at 45-66Hz0.05% Rdg + 0.1% Rng
Basic V and A Accuracy at 1kHz0.055% Rdg + 0.1% Rng
Basic V and A Accuracy at 10kHz0.1% Rdg + 0.1% Rng
Basic V and A Accuracy at 100kHz0.55% Rdg + 0.1% Rng
Basic V and A Accuracy at 500kHz2.55% Rdg + 0.1% Rng
Basic V and A Accuracy at 1MHz5.05% Rdg + 0.1% Rng
Voltage Range1Vpk to 2500Vpk (1000Vrms) in 8 ranges
x10 100mVpk - 100Vpk (8 ranges)
Voltage Input via External Attenuator1mVpk - 3Vpk in 8 ranges
Current Range ( Internal Shunt Version )Normal 100mApk - 300Apk (20Arms) 8 ranges
x10 10mApk - 30Apk 8 ranges
Current Input via External Shunt / sensor with voltage output1mVpk - 3Vpk in 8 ranges
Auto over-range tolerance / hysteresis20%
Crest Factor (V and A) at full scale20
Basic Watts Accuracy at 45-66Hz0.2% Rdg + 0.04% VA Rng
Integrator (Watt-Hrs, Avg Watts etc)Standard
Oscilloscope Mode;
Time axis zoom
Standard
Yes
In-Rush current mode; peak maxStandard
Minimum Update Rate / Window Size2ms
Internal Datalog10M Records
Minimum Datalogging Rate
Internal
USB Memory Stick

10ms
100ms
IEC62301 Standby Power / Energy StarStandard, Gap-Free
Cycle by Cycle MeasurementsStandard
ISO17025Standard
Harmonic MeasurementStandard
Star to Delta ConversionStandard
Scope and Graph ModesStandard
USB Memory PortsStandard
LAN PortStandard
RS232 PortStandard
Real Time ClockStandard
19" Rack Mount KitOptional
Analogue I/O Optional
Torque and SpeedStandard
PWM Motor Drive ModeStandard
OscilloscopeStandard
Transformer ModeStandard
PWM Filter Options7
Speed/Harmonics/Sec300/sec
Internal Datalogging16 Parameters
Internal memory1GB
Harmonics100
Dimensions - Excl Feet
H x W x D (mm)
404mm (W) x 92mm (H) x 346mm (D)
Rack Mount: 399mm (W) x 87.5mm (H) x 346mm (D)
Weight7kg