Sensitivity analysis of flickermeter implementations to waveforms for testing to the requirements of IEC 61000-4-15

Flickermeters are usually tested for compliance with IEC 61000-4-15 using an assumed response to basic waveforms. This study seeks to point out several potential drawbacks to this method of calibration, paying particular attention to differences in readings that can arise from several factors. Numerical simulations carried out with a flickermeter model are used to show that a greater range of parameters of the calibration waveforms (e.g. modulator phase with respect to the carrier waveform) must be measured or accurately configured, if these waveforms are to be used as described in Section 5 of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) - Limits, IEC 61000-3-3, Amendment 1 (2001). Further, there are a number of factors in the design of the flickermeter itself that are not specified in Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) - Limits, IEC 61000-3-3, Amendment 1 and these can also result in significantly different short-term flicker perceptibility (P _st) readings to those given in Table 5 of IEC 61000-3-3. The effect of these unspecified test and design parameters is discussed and their impact on flicker measurement is assessed.