Nowadays, the interest in low-cost and increasingly accurate phasor measurement units (PMUs) for active distribution systems is steadily growing. In this paper, an algorithm for synchrophasor, fundamental frequency, and rate of change of frequency estimation tailored for processing platforms with limited computational resources is described and characterized extensively in terms of both accuracy and processing time. The proposed solution harnesses the main advantages of two state-of-the-art algorithms, i.e., the interpolated discrete Fourier transform and the Taylor-Fourier transform. Such algorithms are combined and implemented in a computationally efficient manner to reduce processing time as much as possible, while ensuring good accuracy in the main testing conditions specified in the IEEE Standard C37.118.1-2011 and its Amendment C37.118.1a-2014. Estimation accuracy has been evaluated not only through simulations but also experimentally. The good consistency between simulation-based and experimental results provides clear evidence that the uncertainty contributions due to transducers, acquisition, and synchronization systems can be reasonably kept under control. The processing times of the algorithm, implemented on an embedded platform suitable for PMU prototyping, are compliant with the mandatory reporting rates of Class M PMUs.

The assessment of the power quality could be a valuable tool to foster the efficiency of the railway systems. Power quality is a well-addressed topic in conventional AC 50/60 Hz power systems and many procedures, algorithms and measurement systems were presented in the international standards and widely discussed in the scientific literature. A less explored research field is the assessment of the power quality in the railway traction supply systems, in particular with reference to the DC and 16.7 Hz systems. The paper explores this theme, proposing an extension of the definitions and of the standard measurement procedures for some of main power quality indexes, well defined and widely used for conventional power systems, in order to be used also in all railway traction supply systems. The limits or difficulties of applicability are discussed with reference to measurements performed both on-board and in substation. The proposed procedures are applied to an experimental case of a real DC railway system with a large measurement campaign.

A setup for the measurement of the frequency response of voltage measurement transformers under actual waveform conditions is presented. It is based on a two-step procedure that makes use of high voltage gas insulated capacitors and a digital bridge. It allows calibrations using distorted waveforms, with a fundamental tone at medium voltage level and superimposed harmonics up to 20% and 15 kHz. Combined standard uncertainty in the measurement of the voltage transformer (VT) error is estimated at 200 μV/V for the ratio error and 300 μrad for the phase displacement up to 10 kHz. First applications to the measurement of the frequency response of VTs with different rated primary voltages up to 50 kV are presented.

With the proliferation of harmonic sources in power systems, current transformers (CTs), which are the most widely used current transducers in power systems, will have to measure and monitor signals with increasing levels of distortion. The accuracy of the measurement can be affected by the nonlinear response of the CT, which is dependent on the distortion in the measured signal, but nonlinear mathematical models can be used to compensate the measured value. In this paper, the complex ratio of the CT is modeled using a frequency domain model based on tensor linearization, obtaining a real-valued compensation matrix. An accurate measurement setup has been built to characterize the CTs performance in distorted conditions. Experimental results using the proposed compensation technique are presented and discussed for two commercial CTs of accuracy class 0.5 and 1. It is demonstrated that the proposed technique can accurately reconstruct the harmonic components (up to several kilohertz) of the CT primary current from the measured CT distorted secondary current.

Calibration of electrical energy meters is coming up as a metrological concern. The latest European Union (EU) directives about measuring instruments adopted for commercial transactions state that their accuracy has to be verified in actual operating conditions. This requirement is leaving all laboratories involved in energy meter calibration in serious difficulty because this kind of metrological verification is, at the moment, still not fully developed or even clarified in all involved aspects. In this paper, a measurement equipment for the calibration of energy meters is presented. Its structure and metrological characterization are discussed. To improve its performances without increasing its costs, two online digital compensation procedures have been realized and are shown: one increases the spectral purity of test signals and one corrects the transducer frequency response. Experimental results relating metrological characterization have shown that the so-realized calibrator is suitable for the onsite calibration of energy meters.