Smart Energy &
Power Quality Solutions
Application Note: AN1019/V01
Class A certification (IEC 61000-4-30):
Quality seal for power quality analysers
Application Note AN1019/V01
Class A certification (IEC 61000-4-30): Quality seal for power quality analysers
Janitza electronics®
Ethernet level (TCP/IP)
Server
ProData®
Mobile
Application
Client 1 to ...
SQL database
UMG 512
UMG 508
UMG 96RM-E
Web server
UMG 604
Grid visualisation
software
UMG 605
Field bus level (e. g. Modbus RTU)
UMG 20CM
ProData®
UMG 104
UMG 96RM
UMG 103
Analogue- / Status- / Pulse input level
Water meter
Status message
Gas meter
Alarm lamp
Temperature measurement
UMG 508 / UMG 604 = Janitza power analyser
UMG 512 / UMG 605 = Janitza power quality analyser
UMG 96RM / UMG 96RM-E / UMG 103 / UMG 104 = Janitza multifunctional measurement devices for energy measrument technology
UMG 20CM = Branch Circuit Monitor, Janitza Residual current monitoring (RCM) and energy data acquisition
Press contact::
Janitza electronics GmbH
Ms. Stefanie Hollingshaus
Manager marketing communication
Vor dem Polstück 1 – 35633 Lahnau – Germany • Phone: +49 6441 9642-539 • Fax: +49 6441 9642-30
Email: [email protected] • Web: www.janitza.de
Application Note AN1019/V01
Class A certification (IEC 61000-4-30): Quality seal for power quality analysers
Author
Dipl.-Phys.
Martin Witzsch
Freelance journalist on behalf
of Janitza electronics GmbH
Class A certification (IEC 61000-4-30):
Quality seal for power quality analysers
For a long time the quality of the power supply was synonymous for supply security, i.e. the absence of noticeable
interruptions. Electronic loads, such as IT systems or industrial controls need far more, for example, because harmonics,
transients, etc. can cause significant damage. As a result, the German Federal Court of Justice stipulated that power
distributor operators are subject to product liability. A comprehensive analysis and documentation of the power quality
with a certified process is even more important.
A growing group of service providers and consumers
is involved in determining the power quality: network
operators are confronted with a – rather pleasant –
increasing number of renewable energy producers. The
consumers, especially in the commercial and industrial
sector, are concerned with their numerous embedded
systems and controls throughout the various range of
applications. Here, they must also recognise that they
sometimes cause the faults themselves. Frequency
converters, energy savers par excellence, are only one
example for non-linear loads that can cause severe
problems. But even a very trivial asymmetric load in the
three-phase network can cause trouble.
The German Product Liability Act also applies to
electricity
The topic gained more relevance by a decision handed
down by the German Federal Court of Justice from
February 2014 (reference number: VI ZR 144/13). In the
opinion of the German Federal Court of Justice, electricity
is a product according to §2 of the German Product Liability
Act (ProdHaftG). As a result, the distribution system
operators are liable if electrical equipment is damaged
due to poor power quality. The court expressly rejected
an exemption from liability through the Low Voltage Grid
Connection Ordinance (NAV). The power utility is liable,
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Application Note AN1019/V01
Class A certification (IEC 61000-4-30): Quality seal for power quality analysers
irrespective of culpability. The network operator must
keep the voltage and frequency as constant as possible so
that standard consumer devices and power distribution
and generation plants can operate properly.
Of course, continuous monitoring with sufficient
granularity is required for the analysis as well as the
verification and the documentation of the power quality.
Searching for the responsible
Regardless whether you want to hold the „culprit“
accountable or force him to pay for resulting damage
or take proactive measures to detect and mitigate fault
sources: you need reliable and documented measured
values that stand up in court in case of doubt. In this
case, the recordings of the power quality analysers, like
the ones Janitza electronics GmbH has been developing
and selling for many years, provide valuable assistance.
Thanks to comprehensive analysis tools and various
documents, they offer extensive and detailed insight into
an electrical system. In addition to the basic values, such
as voltage levels, frequency and curve form, above all
they record any kind of fault (image 1). This may include
flicker effects or also temporary voltage drops, such as
for example, those typical when systems do an automatic
reclosing after short circuits caused by arcs.
Another classic example includes harmonics. They are
caused by non-linear loads and can significantly damage
the function of other devices. Unlike basic oscillation in
three phase systems, all harmonics that are divisible by
three (tripple harmonics) do not neutralise each other in
the neutral conductor. In fact, they accumulate. This can
result in an unacceptably high current load on the neutral
conductor. The frequency converters specified above are
the typical „harmonic producers“. Overvoltages are also
widespread in switching operations.
Standardised measuring procedures for power quality
Clearly, these effects can only be recorded at a
considerable effort and the chronological resolution
and a high measurement accuracy of the power quality
monitoring device play a key role in the documentation.
Jasic®
User-friendly, colour
graphical display with
intuitive user guidance
Programming/
PLC functionality
256 MB
Modern, open communications
architecture via Ethernet
Large measurement data
memory
256 MByte Flash
RCM measurement
Alarm management
RCM
Measuring device
homepage
with password
protection
Peak load representation
www
BACnet protocol
for communication
with the building
management system
BACnet
Power
quality
Modbus gateway
Function
Harmonics
63.
The UMG 512 is more than a power quality analyser – it‘s a 3-in-1 solution: PQM + EnMS + RCM
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Application Note AN1019/V01
Class A certification (IEC 61000-4-30): Quality seal for power quality analysers
Measured data
Events
half-wave
effective values
Hysteresis
Limit value
Hysteresis
Starting time event
(Trigger time)
measurement devices that determine these factors
(image 2). Otherwise, it would extremely tempting to
generously overlook possible faults using less efficient
PQ monitoring devices. Even if assume the best of
intentions, it would be difficult to compare instruments
from different manufacturers over the long term. In the
absence of binding standards, they each developed their
own procedures for analysing a measurement.
End time
Image 1: The event recording includes the mean, minimum and maximum
value as well as the start and end time. With longer events, the waveform
is also included at the beginning and end of the result
The user thus not only has to work with the actual
measurement but he may also have to deal with
the measurement algorithms and procedures of the
manufacturers. In order to provide legal certainty, the
suppliers and customers must conclude pages and pages
of agreements concerning the measurement devices to
be used in the contract.
The measurement methods play a vital role, especially
in areas where power quality or limiting faults are key
contractual components. The contractual partners
must then agree on the voltage characteristics as well
as the measurement methods and the quality of the
Fortunately, the IEC 61000-4-30 Class A standard was
established several years ago. It provides detailed
specifications that a power quality monitoring device
must meet so that the results can also be consulted in
case of disputes. The standard defines the necessary
parameters, suitable measurement methods, accuracy
Event recording
Forward
Overrun
UMG 512 incl. Watchdog
according to EN 50160
UMG 512 incl. Watchdog
according to IEC 61000-2-4
Transfer
point
x
x
x
Transfer point
Supply (U)
Standard: EN 50160
Responsibility
power utility
Influence (I)
Standard: IEC 61000-2-4
Responsibility
plant operators
x
Series of standards: IEC
61000
Responsibility
Manufacturer
Image 2: Principle of a power quality monitoring with the watchdog function, 3-fold responsibility
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Application Note AN1019/V01
Class A certification (IEC 61000-4-30): Quality seal for power quality analysers
and bandwidths. This makes it possible to easily
reproduce and compare results of class A power quality
monitoring devices from different suppliers and devices.
The following parameters are defined:
•Mains frequency
•Supply voltage
•
Flicker, harmonics, interharmonics (some references
are made to other standards)
•Voltage drops and excessive voltages
•Supply interruptions
•Voltage unbalance
•Ripple control signals
•Rapid voltage changes
Certified devices
There are a number of power quality analysers on the
market; however, they are by far not all certified. Janitza
already completed this step several years ago. The UMG
511 power quality monitoring device already received
its Class A certificate of conformity according to IEC
61000-4-30 back in January 2011. This provides a reliable
reference – even in disputes – for the documentation
of the power quality for end customers and inspection
authorities or for the specific analysis of faults when
power quality problems occur in the energy supply.
Its successor, the UMG 512 power quality analyser, was
launched into the market in the summer 2014 (image 3).
It masters all the disciplines of its field, e.g., continuous
monitoring of power quality, harmonics analysis in the
event of network problems, inspection of the internal
supply network as per EN 61000-4-7, EN 6100-4-15, EN
61000-4-30, etc.
Image 4: Online and historical data is displayed via the APP integrated
UMG measuring device homepage, e.g. with the optional measured value
monitor here
The UMG 512 is designed to record the large quantities of
data that occur at its high sampling rate of 25,600 Hz or
during a continuous true RMS measurement. To ensure
that the quantity of measured values is retained even if
the data network fails, the unit is equipped with a large
on-board measurement data memory with a capacity of
256 MB. This also makes it possible to implement the unit
using the PLC functions via a Jasic interface, i.e. local
intelligence. Together along with the alarm management
included in the GridVis® software, faults can frequently
be detected and remedied in advance (image 4). The
large, colour graphic display is intuitive to operate and
simplifies access to the many functions and measuring
points. The display can present measured values and
results not only in numerical format but also as bar charts
and line graphs. Current and voltage can be displayed
in waveform. In addition, the GridVis® -Basic software
package included in the scope of supply also simplifies
evaluation and documentation.
The communication architecture is also adjusted to the
wide range of possible applications and the large data
quantities. The various Ethernet protocols ensure the
cost-efficient remote monitoring of critical processes,
for example. As a Modbus gateway, the UMG 512 can
economically connect subordinate measurement devices
without an Ethernet interface. It utilises as well the
BACnet protocol for use in building communication.
Image 3: UMG 512 Class A power quality monitoring device
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In contrast to its predecessor, the device offers a new,
faster A/D converter with a higher sampling rate (25.6
kHz), a temperature input, two RCM measuring inputs
as well as a separate 3-pin RS485 interface with inbuilt
switchable termination resistor, etc.
However the key improvement is certainly the enhanced
PQ-core: True RMS half-wave effective values for voltage,
current, effective power, reactive power and frequency
are simultaneously available for phase/phase and phase/
Application Note AN1019/V01
Class A certification (IEC 61000-4-30): Quality seal for power quality analysers
It also features residual current monitoring
The UMG 512 has two RCM inputs (Residual Current
Monitoring), which along with the alarm management
from the GridVis® software provides additional security
(image 6). When continuously monitoring the residual
current of an electrical system, for example, a digital
output is set or an e-mail is sent if a threshold value is
exceeded. As a result, the system operator can quickly
respond before a protective device is triggered. This is
especially important in systems that must ensure very
high availability (e.g. hospital, data center …).
Image 5: Graphical representation of a transient
Residual current
mA
Personnel protection
System protection
Fire protection
Outlook
The UMG 512 is a highly sophisticated device that provides
added security in the trading relationships between
customers and suppliers thanks to the certification
according to IEC 61000-4-30. Janitza is naturally
developing the total package further. For example, the
new device homepage offers a traffic light function that
clearly indicates whether the European PQ standard EN
50160 is met.
Switch-off
Message
from RCM
Information advantage
t
Time
Image 6: Message before shut-down, an objective of residual current
monitoring
ground. The event and transient recording period was
extended (image 5). Events can also be displayed in
waveforms. The event and transient recording period
was drastically increased to 11 minutes. A pre-trigger
time of one minute and a post-trigger time of ten minutes
are also recorded. Half-wave effective values for V, A, kW,
kvar and Hz for star and delta are available at the same
time.
Janitza is also launching new APPs to enhance user
comfort: You can use the “Measured Value Monitor“ App
to retrieve online and historically data directly from the
device without any additional software.
The App “EN 50160 analysis“ uses the local intelligence
of the device to analyse and prepares the data. This
reduces the data quantities to be transmitted so that you
can also obtain significant information about your system
state over less efficient communication channels, for
example, in the mobile communicationsector. The user
thus benefits from the hardware, with extensions and
improvements over the entire service life of the device.
Image 7: Heatmap, i.e. colour (traffic light principle) illustration of how good or bad the power quality was at a particular measurement point in a calendar week. This
principle guarantees a quick overview of the complete supply area
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Smart Energy &
Power Quality Solutions
Janitza electronics GmbH
Vor dem Polstück 1
D-35633 Lahnau
Germany
Tel.: +49 6441 9642-0
Fax: +49 6441 9642-30
[email protected]
www.janitza.de
Document no.: 2.700.018.0 • Edition 12/2014 • All rights to technical changes are reserved.
Important Message
Janitza electronics GmbH® offers a collection of application reports
addressed with in-depth expertise on the topics of Power Quality
Monitoring (PQM), power management (PM) and Power Quality Solutions
(PQS). Furthermore, case studies and reference projects are treated.
These application notes are meant to our worldwide distributors and
agents, as well as its own sales people to train and provide the necessary
basic knowledge. On the other hand, they should serve to answer repetitive
questions quickly and new trends technically to be transmitted. Each issue
covers a self-contained application theme, a specific solution or a technical
topic of general interest .
It is to share the broad application know-how of Janitza electronics GmbH®
and its experts, which was established with partners from the PQM, PM and
PQS over a long-term period around the world.
Some parts of this publication may make statements on the application,
use or availability in certain fields or applications. These statements are
based on our experience , typical uses and typical requirements associated
with specific applications. However, it is the customer or the user to check
whether a product of Janitza electronics GmbH® with its specifications and
standards specified for the particular use is applicable. This application
report may be amended by us without further information and brought
up to date. This is indicated by the document number. Our products are
specified in detail in our catalogues and manuals.