Static Calibration and Dynamic Characterization of PMUs at NIST

This paper describes the development of two test systems at NIST aimed at improving the calibration and characterization of coordinated universal time (UTC) synchronized electric power instrumentation. Reference to UTC is used to meet the need for precise time synchronization of instrumentation designed to monitor the state of the grid over its wide geographic area. The first test system is used to perform calibrations of phasor measurement units (PMUs) for parameters that have performance requirements specified in IEEE standard for synchrophasors for power systems, IEEE standard C37.118-2005. Tests performed on this system use static electric power signals. The second test system is being developed to perform dynamic tests of PMUs. This paper also describes the development of a PMU testing guideline by an industry wide task force as part of the Eastern Interconnect Phasor Project (EIPP).