Design and evaluation of computer-based electrical power quality signal generator

Electrical power quality signal generator, capable of reproducing the power quality disturbances in accordance with European standard EN50160, is presented in this paper. Signal generator is divided in two parts: LabVIEW based virtual instrumentation software for defining the disturbance parameters and hardware electronics for signal generation (data acquisition card and power amplifier). The paper focus is on the design of power amplifier for scaling the data acquisition card output voltage level to the nominal power line voltage (230 V). The signal generator can be used for generation of reference signals useful for testing the power quality measuring instruments and various algorithms for power quality disturbance detection. In such manner, this PC based signal generator can be used as suitable and cost effective alternative to the instruments for testing the power quality meters and analyzers. According to the relevant document - ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement, for detailed metrological assessment of developed signal generator, calculation and presentation of measurement uncertainty budget is performed.