General Information

Available in a range of power levels from 3000 VA to 90000 VA, the CTS series provides cost effective full compliance testing for both single and three phase products. The CTS series is the only compliance test system on the market that uses a PC bus based high speed data acquisition system to record complete data on all measurements taken from the Equipment Under Test (EUT). This effectively eliminates the IEEE-488 interface throughput bottle necks that plagues most IEC test systems available today.

The powerful CTS test software takes full advantage of this high speed acquisition system by displaying real-time data and continuous pass fail calculations during the entire test run. No need to wait for a two hour flicker test to finish before the outcome of the test is known. With a CTS system, the operator is always up to date on test progress and test results.

System Details

Modular System Architecture
The CTS system is a complete IEC compliant test system, consisting of a separate AC power source and a PC based AC power analyzer (PACS). All IEC related measurements are performed through a fast PC based data acquisition system. This enables easy software upgrades in the future should IEC requirements change, thus protecting your investment in the CTS system. 

IEC Testing

Testing

The CTS systems supports harmonics testing for class A, B, C and D type products. All harmonics testing is performed using the required no gap acquisition and support for the latest standard revision including Amendment 14. Interharmonic current measurements per the upcoming revised EN/IEC 61000-4-7 harmonics measurement standard is already built in to the CTS system software and can be enabled at any time. Data for each acquisition period of 10 or 12 cycles is stored on disk during the entire test. This allows complete data analysis and test data replay using the provided harmonics replay software. This replay mode can be shared with other users in the organization as the CTS hardware is not required to play back data files previously recorded.

All AC power parameters such as nominal voltage and frequency are automatically set by the CTS software using the RS232C interface to the AC source.

At the end of the test, a comprehensive test report can be printed. The first page of the harmonics report is shown here. Reports contain all relevant test results in both graphical and tabular format.

Flicker Testing

Products can be tested for flicker by selecting the Flicker measurement module and pressing the start button. Test times can be set from 1 minute to 24 hours to accommodate various EUT operating cycles. The CTS software automatically calculates short term (Pst) and long term (Plt) flicker parameters. During the test, the pass or fail status of the EUT is continuously updated. This means the operator does not have to wait till the end of the test period to learn the outcome of the test.
Also shown during the test run is the voltage, dt or dc as a function of time. The user can toggle between display modes at will during the test. The screen to the right shows the flicker dc and dt display.

Voltage Dips
For compliance testing to EN/IEC 1000-4-11 voltage dips and interruptions, the iX Series based CTS systems can be equipped with an Electronic Output Switch option to ensure compliance with AC generator requirements for voltage rise and fall times and increased current capability at reduced voltage levels. Without the -EOS1 (single phase) or -EOS3 (three phase) options, the CTS systems can be used for EN/IEC 1000-4-11 pre-compliance testing only. The RP Series CTS system include software for pre-compliance EN/IEC 1000-4-11 as well but does not support the EOS option.

Interharmonics

While presently only in draft form, California Instruments supports EN/IEC 61000-4-13 testing using the iX Series AC power source when equipped with the -413 option. The EN/IEC 61000-4-13 test is available as an option to the AC source and adds an independent interharmonic generator to the AC source. All EN/IEC 61000-4-13 tests can be run from both the front panel or the CIGUI32 Windows™ software. This early implementation allows compliance testing against this upcoming standard with a high degree of confidence.
The -413 option not only generates the required interhamonic frequency sweep tests, it also detects the presence of EUT resonance points. This information is displayed in both numerical and graphical form at the end of the test. (PC required to run CIGUI32).

Voltage Fluctuations

All iX Series based CTS systems support EN/IEC 61000-4-14 testing. The EN/IEC 61000-4-14 test is implemented through the CIGUI32 Windows™ software. Generic test level setup files are included with the program for immediate use. To accommodate different EUT categories, test levels and durations can be changed easily if needed and saved. This feature allows full compliance testing to this standard. (PC required to run CIGUI32).

DC Ripple

All iX Series based CTS systems support EN/IEC 61000-4-17 testing. The EN/IEC 61000-4-17 test is implemented through the CIGUI32 Windows ™ software. To accommodate different EUT categories, test levels, nominal DC supply voltages and test duration can be changed easily if needed. This feature allows full compliance testing to this standard. (PC required to run CIGUI32).

Voltage Unbalance

All three phase CTS systems support EN/IEC 61000-4-27 testing using. The EN/IEC 61000-4-27 test is implemented through the CIGUI32 Windows™ software. To accommodate different EUT categories, test levels, phase angles and imbalance durations can all be set by the operator if needed or a complete test setup can be recalled from disk. Test setups for Class 2 and 3 are included with the program. Additional test level settings can be created on screen and saved. The stimulus applied to the EUT is captured and stored for use in the test report. (PC required to run CIGUI32).

Note: This feature allows pre-compliance testing to this standard.

Voltage Frequency

All iX Series based CTS systems support EN/IEC 61000-4-28 testing. The EN/IEC 61000-4-28 test is implemented through the CIGUI32 Windows™ software. To accommodate different EUT categories, test levels and durations can be changed easily if needed. This feature allows full compliance testing to this standard. (PC required to run CIGUI32).

Voltage Dips

All Compliance Test Systems based on the iX Series AC/DC power source support pre-compliance testing for EN/IEC 61000-4-29. This test is implemented through the CIGUI32 Windows ™ software. To accommodate different EUT categories, test levels, nominal DC supply voltages and test duration can be changed easily if needed. Separate data entry screens for Dips / Interruptions and Variations are provided. Test sequences can be saved to disk for later recall, allowing a library of specific EUT category tests to be created. A number of sample test sequences is provided with the program.

Note: This feature supports pre-compliance testing to this standard.

Programmable AC Source
Available in a choice of power levels ranging from 1250 VA to 15,000 VA, CTS Systems cover the complete range of single and three phase products that need testing to conform with existing and pending IEC standards. All iX Series AC sources meet IEC requirements for low voltage distortion and offer arbitrary waveform generation, precision measurements, and waveform analysis capabilities.
AC Source voltage distortion is measured in real-time during the harmonics test and any distortion that could affect the test results is clearly indicated. The CTS system can also be used for general purpose AC test applications such as line distortion simulation from both the front panel or the included PC control program.

Power Analyzer


Single phase PACS-1 unit shown

The Power Analyzer and Conditioning System (PACS) unit is used to provide isolation between the AC Source, the PC based data acquisition system and the Equipment Under Test (EUT). Precision current transformers provide accurate current sensing over three different current ranges for maximum resolution. The PC based acquisition system captures data on all current ranges and automatically selects the appropriate range to use for further processing. This eliminates the need for range switching as is commonly done in conventional power analyzers. Anti-aliasing filters are provided for all voltage and current channels to prevent unwanted frequency components from affecting the measurement results.
The same PACS unit also provides a convenient way for the user to connect the unit under test. A single signal cable connects between the PC and the PACS unit and provides all the analog and digital signals needed to and from the PC based measurement system.