Precision Calorimetry for the Accurate Measurement of Losses in Power Electronic Devices

The direct measurement of losses in power electronic systems is possible through the use of a calorimeter. An improved and fully automated version of a double-jacketed closed-type calorimeter is described in this paper. The accuracy of the calorimeter has been confirmed by calibration tests and is better than 0.1 W in 25 W. The losses in mobile (cell phone) chargers and the ballasts of compact fluorescent lamps have been measured in this calorimeter and are compared to those obtained from conventional measurement methods.