Reference grade calibrator for the testing of the dynamic behavior of phasor measurement units

This paper describes a high accuracy laboratory PMU calibrator that is presently being developed at METAS. This reference grade calibrator enables traceable measurements of the dynamic performances of PMUs as outlined in the upcoming version of the standard IEEE C37.118 as well as the testing of the impact of power quality disturbances on PMU measurements. The calibrator is being developed in conjunction with a software simulator permitting the simulation of PMU algorithms in order to facilitate the direct comparison between simulation and measurement results. The tests waveforms generated by the simulator can be converted into electrical signals suitable to PMUs. The usage of IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol permits the synchronization of the test waveforms to UTC.