Power Quality and Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratories

Scope

We study and develop measurement and control systems and their electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) for smart grid and communities applications. Our current reaserch topics include:
– Electromagnetic Compatibility and high frequency modeling of electric and electronic devices;
– Development of reliable innovative Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED) for smart grid and communities;
– Distributed measurement and SCADA control systems for power flow management in smart grids;
– Measurement and control architectures for smart grid and communities according to the IoT paradigm.
– Radiated electromagnetic emission and immunity tests on Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) equipment;
– Electromagnetic characterization and modeling of electronic devices for automotive, household appliances, photovoltaic system, etc.
– Electromagnetic Compatibility analysis of innovative IED and communication system for smart community application.

Main characteristics

Electromagnetic Anechoic Chamber	In the Lab two facilities are available to study the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of an equipment under test (EUT): a shielded electromagnetic semi-anechoic chamber and a GTEM 750 cell. The semi-anechoic chamber has dimensions of 9.4 x 6.4 x 5.55 m3 and the distance between the EUT and the RX antenna is 3 m . A shielded “control room” of 3,0 x 3,7 x 3,0 m3, installed near the semi-anechoic chamber, is used to allocate the measurement instruments and the operators during the tests. The two chambers are connected trough an access panel fitted out with 50 Ohm N and BNC type connectors in addition to SMA fibre optics connectors. Emission and immunity radiated tests, compliant to the international standards, can be performed in the frequency range from 30 MHz to 18 GHz. The laboratory is equipped also with a GTEM (GigaHertz Transverse Electromagnetic) 750 cell that represent an alternative method to the anechoic chamber testing when the dimension of the equipment under test (EUT) not exceed one-third of the distance between the central septum and the outer conductor. The outer dimensions are (LxWxH) 3.95×2.02×2.15 m3 with maximum test volume 0.62×0.62×0.49 m3. The GTEM operate in the frequency range 0.01 MHz to 18 GHz for emission and immunity RF tests.
Advanced Metering and Power Quality measurements	The laboratory has a structure aimed at the design, implementation and characterization of innovative methods and tools for real-time measurement of electrical power systems, in accordance with current national and international standards. The structure is equipped with PC-based instrumentation, developed by the research group, based on the use of data acquisition boards and personal computers for processing acquired signals as well as hardware / software platforms for distributed monitoring of electrical quantities in a smart grid. These platforms are equipped with microcontroller and communication module as well as a measurement section for the electrical parameters of the electrical distribution networks. The advantages of these devices are their low cost, their flexible and feasible implementation with easily available, manageable, assemblable and integrable components and modules. With regard to power quality measures in a more specific way, innovative methodologies have been developed for the measurement of various parameters (harmonics, interharmonics, voltage holes, frequency, voltage surges, etc.) in accordance with the provisions of current international standard IEC 61000-4-7 and IEC 61000-4-30. New analysis techniques have also been developed aimed at implementing a distribution network protection system based on a multi-point diagnostic algorithm using the PLL technique valid for the extraction of the fundamental voltage and current components.
EMC Tests Lab	In the electromagnetic compatibility laboratory (EMC) it is possible to perform conducted emission and susceptibility tests in accordance with international standards and in compliance with the essential requirements of the European directive on EMC. In the laboratory the following immunity tests according to the international standards are performed: · Electrostatic discharge (ESD) immunity test according to EN 61000-4-2 ; · Electrical fast transient burst according to the EN 61000-4-4 ; · Surge pulse and combination wave according to EN 61000-4-5; · Conducted RF immunity tests according to EN 61000-4-6 ; · Power frequency magnetic field immunity tests according to EN 61000-4-8; · Pulse magnetic field immunity tests according to EN 61000-4-9; · Damped oscillatory magnetic field immunity test according to EN 61000-4-10; · Voltage dips, short interruptions and voltage variations immunity tests according to EN 61000-4-11; · Oscillatory waves immunity test according to EN 61000-4-12; · Harmonics and interharmonics including mains signalling at a.c. power port, low frequency immunity tests according to EN 61000-4-13; ·Voltage fluctuation immunity test according to EN 61000-4-14; · Ripple on d.c. input power port immunity test according to EN 61000-4-17; · Variation of power frequency, immunity test according to EN 61000-4-28; · Voltage dips, short interruptions and voltage variations on d.c. input power port immunity tests according to EN 61000-4-29.