Using windowed ESPRIT spectral estimation for measuring power quality indices

This paper presents the theory, design and implementation of a virtual instrument based on a new method to measure the power quality indices such as current harmonic distortion, voltage harmonic distortion and power factor as given by the IEEE standard. A modern spectral estimation technique (ESPRIT) is used to estimate the power quality indices. Simulation results followed by experimental results of the real time virtual instrument is presented to show the advantages and accuracy of using this method and further to show conformance of this device to well known standards such as IEEE and IEC.