The new family of R&S NPA power analyzers is now available in three models
A new family of power analyzers from Rohde & Schwarz is now available in three models that meets all requirements for measuring voltage, current, power and total harmonic distortion in DC and AC sources. The R&S NPA101 power meter allows you to perform all basic measurements, the R&S NPA501 power analyzer also offers advanced measurement functions and graphical analysis, and the R&S NPA701 conformity tester includes compliance evaluation functions with IEC 62301 and EN 50564 in relation to with power consumption and with EN 61000-3-2 for EMC harmonic emissions tests.
The electrical properties of a device or module are of fundamental importance and are measured in all areas of the electronics industry, from development and compliance testing to production and service. All models of the new family of R&S NPA power analyzers meet the requirements for power measurements at levels from 50 µW to 12 kW with potential differences from 1 mV to 600 V and currents from 1 mA to 20 A in all these phases of product. The R&S NPA501 and R&S NPA701 have interfaces for external leads or probes that further extend the measurement range. All three models offer a high sampling rate of 500 kmsample/s that detects even the shortest transient ripples in the output. The analog-to-digital converter with 16-bit resolution ensures ±0,05% accuracy for both current and voltage readings.
The three devices in the R&S NPA family cover the same 23 standard measurements of power, current, voltage, harmonic distortion and energy. The user can select up to ten measurements out of a total of 37, which will be displayed simultaneously on the screen with a refresh rate of 100 ms. The screen content can be displayed in graph form via the USB port, and the values of all measurements can be recorded over time with the logging function. The 5 V measurement range offers the best resolution within this category for both power and energy measurements. Selection between crest factor values 1, 3 and 6 ensures maximum flexibility to capture all peaks and maximize dynamic range.
All instruments in the family are equipped with a LAN and USB interface for remote control, and the R&S NPA501-G and R&S NPA701-G models also have a GPIB interface. The devices can be easily integrated into systems thanks to a complete set of SCPI commands and drivers for LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI and IVI.net. Another of its advantages is its compact size. For integrated use in systems, two devices can be mounted side by side in a 19″ rack.
Additionally, all R&S NPA501 and R&S NPA701 models offer maximum and minimum peak values for voltage, current and power. The “pass-fail” function allows users to define up to six sets of maximum and minimum values to easily check whether the current supplied by the device under test remains within limits. Both devices also offer a graphical display mode. In the time domain, the connection extracurrent characteristic, voltage and current waveforms can be displayed simultaneously or a selection of parameters over longer periods of time. In the frequency domain, harmonics up to the 50th can be displayed, in table form or logarithmically if necessary.
The top model of the family, the R&S NPA701 compliance tester, also offers step-by-step procedures in accordance with IEC 62301 and EN 50564 for energy consumption in low power modes and with EN 61000-3-2 for harmonic emissions. Users who are not familiar with official standard procedures can be assured of performing conformance tests correctly and obtaining valid results. The R&S NPA701 is the only power analyzer in its class that does not require a PC to perform compliance testing.
The R&S NPA family power analyzers replace the R&S HMC8015 power analyzers, either directly or for joint use. The equipment is part of the R&S Essentials range, and is now available from Rohde & Schwarz and through authorized distributors.
Rohde & Schwarz will demonstrate the new family of R&S NPA power analyzers at Embedded World, on the company's stand 4-218, located in Hall 4 of the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre.
You will find more information about the R&S NPA family of power analyzers at: www.rohde-schwarz.com/product/NPA
