Measurement aspects with open- and balance-type calorimeter

Calorimeters are rarely used to measure electric motors and power electronics. There are also some prejudices against the calorimeters, and misbeliefs what are the main phenomena that affect the measurement uncertainty of a calorimeter. When using a balance test and air as a coolant in calorimeters, a general concern is that the changes in air properties during a measurement have significant effect on the measurement accuracy. In this paper, different measurement aspects with an open- and balance-type calorimeter are introduced and demonstrated. The effect of air properties from the viewpoint of a successful measurement procedure is analyzed. A simulation model is introduced to analyze routes of heat losses.