Fluke Introduces New, More Accurate Electrical Power Standards

(Fluke Corp.: Everett, WA) -- Fluke Corp., a global provider of electronic test and measurement technology, has introduced new, more accurate electrical power standards designed to deliver stable, precise reference power and energy for use in calibrating electrical measurement equipment. 

The new Fluke 6105A and 6100B Electrical Power Standards provide the stability and accuracy required by users, including national measurement institutes, instrument service and calibration firms, electronics manufacturers, power utilities, and standards laboratories.  

The importance of accurate power and energy measurements has increased dramatically. Deregulation and the increasingly distributed nature of today’s power supply network mean that measurements must be made more frequently and with a higher degree of accuracy. Global moves to smart metering and smart grid technology require better measures of electricity. As accuracy specifications get tighter, measurement techniques become more important.  

The Fluke 6100B Power Standard comfortably meets the accuracy requirements for today’s power quality testing standards. In addition, it features improved accuracy and increased voltage channel current drive, for calibrating energy meters which take power from their voltage input.  

The Fluke 6105A provides all the functionality of the 6100B, with even better accuracy to match that of the best measurement devices for sinusoidal waveforms. The 6105A Electrical Power Standard is specifically designed to provide the accuracy required to verify the performance of secondary standards such as the Radian Research RD and RM range, the Zera EPZ303, and COM3003; also, the MTE (EMH) K2006, Calport 300, SRS PRS PWS, and PTS series products. 

Few systems can match the 0.007 percent (66 ppm) one-year energy accuracy provided by the 6105A for sinusoidal waveforms. Waveforms with high harmonic distortion are also delivered with similar accuracy traceable to national and international standards. 

Choosing between a 6100B or 6105A depends on the user’s accuracy requirements. Both models meet all accuracy requirements of power quality testing to the IEC 61000-4 series of standards. The 6100B can also be used to type test 0.1 percent to 2 percent energy meters, while the 6505A has the highest accuracy available for calibrating and type testing secondary standard energy meters and watt hour meters. 

To maintain the highest accuracy for all specifications, the 6105A should be fully characterized and calibrated annually. However, to reduce the cost of ownership, a simple-to-implement calibration adjustment regimen can maintain traceability for one-, two-, three-, or four-phase systems using a single phase power/energy meter with accuracy determined by the meter used.

This regimen can be applied to 6100B or 6105A masters and their auxiliary counterparts. 

A Microsoft Windows user interface makes the 6100B and 6105A easy and simple to operate. The interface can be accessed through a combination of front panel knobs and buttons, or by connecting the user’s own mouse and keyboard. Actions are then viewed on the high-resolution, eight-inch TFT display. Status information of all four phases is displayed, alongside more detailed information on current parameters being set or adjusted. 

In addition, the 6100B and 6105A can be operated under remote control. Where multiphase systems are operated, control of the auxiliary devices is via the master unit. The 6100B and 6105A conform to the IEEE 488.1 standard and supplemental standard IEEE 488.2. The programming language complies with the Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI). Complex instrument setups can be saved and recalled within the instrument, or saved and recalled from a USB storage device.

For more information on Fluke power standard products, visit www.fluke.com/6105.

About The Author

Fluke Corp.

Fluke Corp. is a world leader in the manufacture, distribution, and service of electronic test tools and software. Since its founding in 1948, Fluke has helped define and grow a unique technology market, providing testing and troubleshooting capabilities that have grown to mission critical status in manufacturing and service industries. Primary market segments served include industrial/electronic service installation and maintenance, electrical and temperature, indoor air quality, calibration, and biomedical.