Current sensor element, firmware upgrade power analyser

The enhancements are designed to help companies improve performance when developing or evaluating electronic devices such as Electric Vehicle (EV) related equipment or systems for solar and wind power installations.

The Current Sensor Element runs off the internal DC power supply of the WT5000, making external power supplies unnecessary. This makes set up for measurements easier as the only things required are the current sensor and a connecting cable.

Three sensor connection cable lengths are available - 3 m, 5 m and 10 m. This helps take account of varying test bench layouts, where the power analyzer may not be located right next to the device under test. The three different cable lengths allow users to select the one most suitable for their set up while keeping the leads as short as possible.

Noise immunity is enhanced with a low noise power supply and measurement circuit. Previously, reducing the signal to noise ratio required external shunt resistors. In the new modules, shunt resistors are built-in and are included in the shielding in the instrument, increasing noise immunity.

And current signals can be measured with a higher degree of precision, even if they are small when using the Current Sensor Element & dedicated cable. A step-by-step navigation menu simplifies the configuration and use of the current sensors.

Firmware is also upgraded, with the Data Streaming function now supporting a 50 ms to one second update rate.

On the previous version, when using the Data Streaming function, the WT5000 only offered an update rate - measurement interval – of one second.

This meant that all electrical parameters, such as power and Urms and Irms, were calculated over a period of one second.

With the new upgrade, the WT5000 calculates all parameters over measurement periods of up to 50 ms, giving a better insight into the dynamic behavior of the device under test.

The upgraded firmware now also offers a 10 ms update rate.

Other upgrades include improvements to the menu such as Current Phase Correction and Amplitude Correction, which makes setting up external sensors easier by compensating for the phase and gain error.

The Yokogawa WT5000 is a Precision Power Analyser with a measurement accuracy of ±0.03% combined with stability, noise immunity and plug-in modular flexibility to meet the measurement needs of those developing energy-efficient systems.

“The WT5000, which is the flagship model of our power analyser WT series, is now more convenient and capable for companies measuring power consumption and efficiency as part of their development cycle,” explains Terry Marrinan,VP Global Marketing. “With the upgraded firmware, engineers can capture waveforms in more detail, allowing them to optimise their designs.”

“In line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs], there is an ever-greater need to protect the environment and develop clean energy solutions,” states Kelvin Hagebeuk, Marketing Manager at Yokogawa T&M Europe. “The enhanced functionality of our WT5000 Precision Power Analyser ensures that our customers can maximize the performance of electronic devices used in EVs and renewable energy systems.”