POWER FACTOR AND DISTORTION MEASURING FOR SMALL LOADS USING USB ACQUISITION MODULE

摘要

Power factor and distortion measuring usually require dedicated and expensive equipments. Computer-based acquisition modules and software provide for a possibility to create simple and nonexpensive methods and instruments for power factor measurement and distortion characterization of small loads and bring all advantages of virtual instrumentation. A new approach to power quality characterization by measuring power factor, distortion, and several other parameters of small electric loads (up to 0.5 kW) will be described in this paper. Besides low price maximum versatility and adaptability are provided without any loss in accuracy.