A new ultra-low-cost power quality measurement technology

IEC 61000-4-30 is an excellent standard that ensures that all compliant power quality instruments, regardless of manufacturer, will produce the same results when connected to the same signal. However, instruments that comply with Class A requirements of this standard have, until now, been too expensive for common use. A new set of technologies developed by an American company, in cooperation with a Japanese company, demonstrate that it is possible to manufacture three-phase power quality instruments that are fully compliant with the Class A requirements of IEC 61000-4-30 at ultra-low-cost (selling price less than 500 Euros in quantity). The development uses technologies from several fields that have not previously been related to power quality, including digital cameras, power-over-ethernet, mobile phones, and submarine sonar systems. These new technologies have been packaged in a demonstration instrument, and may be licensed to instrument manufacturers as well.