Testing and Calibration of Phasor Measurement Units (PMU)

Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) and Phasor Data Concentrators (PDCs) are the fundamental components of Wide Area Measurement Systems (WAMS) and Wide Area Monitoring Protection and Control Systems (WAMPACS). PMUs provide fast time-stamped measurement of system parameters such as voltage, current and frequency. They have communication features which help in exchange of large quantities of data quickly. As these measurements are very useful in power system support applications such as system parameter analysis, online voltage stability calculations, adaptive protective algorithms etc. they must always function reliably and accurately. This necessitates that the PMUs be calibrated so that their data is consistent, accurate, and credible, and that the models from different manufacturers are interoperable. The 6135A PMUCAL of fluke make is a unique tool which carries out manual/ automated tests that certify a PMU configuration for meeting the latest performance standards of the IEEE Standard for Synchrophasor Measurements for Power Systems (IEEE C37.118.1:2011, IEEE C37.118.1:2014 and IEEE C37.242). This paper discusses the 6135A PMUCAL – a unique test facility set up at the Power Systems Division of CPRI and also results of typical PMUs tested using this facility.