IEC 61000-4-30 (Power Quality Measurement Methods):
Changes between Edition 1 and Edition 2
Alex McEachern, Senior Member, IEEE
Power Standards Lab, Alameda, California, USA
TEL ++1-510-522-4400 FAX ++1-510-522-4455 www.PowerStandards.com
ABSTRACT
IEC 61000-4-30 defines Power Quality Measurement
Methods. Edition 1 was issued in 2003. After several
years of work by Technical Committee 77A, Working
Group 9, and updated Edition 2 was issued in 2008.
This paper discusses some important differences between
the editions, with a focus on the ones that affect re-
certification of an instrument that uses the Class A
methods.
Disclaimer: Although the author is the Convenor of IEC
TC77A Working Group 9, which writes and manages the
61000-4-30 standard, the author takes full and exclusive
responsibilities for the ideas and opinions and errors
expressed here. Neither the IEC nor the WG9 has
reviewed, endorsed, or taken any responsibility for this
paper.
Keywords: dip, sag, measurement, IEC 61000-4-30
I. BACKGROUND - IEC STANDARD ON POWER
QUALITY MEASUREMENT METHODS
In the mid-1990’s, it became apparent that different
power quality instruments, when measuring the same
signal, produced different readings. Even for parameters
as simple as voltage dips and frequency, accurate
instruments from reputable manufacturers could easily
disagree by ± 50% or more about magnitude and duration.
It was widely recognized that these disagreements were
not inaccuracies, but instead differences in measuring
methods.
When these instruments were used for troubleshooting,
these differences were annoying but tolerable. But when
these instruments began to be used for contract
enforcement and compliance tests, these differences were
too large to be ignored.
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An IEC working group was formed in 1997 to develop
standard measurement methods for “power quality”,
although even the term itself was the subject of initial
debate. Under the auspices of IEC Technical Committee
TC77A, Working Group 9 (guided by Convenor Roger
Ott of Electricité de France) developed Edition 1 of IEC
61000-4-30 [1], published in 2003.
Practical instruments that complied with IEC 61000-4-30
began emerging in 2005; by 2007, Power Standards Lab
had developed and published certification procedures and
equipment. (A few other labs made some attempts to do
certification for this standard, but realized the complexity
and generally abandoned the effort after issuing one or
two certificates.)
From 2004 to 2008, Working Group 9, now led by the
author as Convenor, revised 61000-4-30 to improve its
features and clarify its requirements. The result was IEC
61000-4-30 Edition 2 [1], published in 2008.
For a complete, detailed list of changes, the reader is
advised consult the two versions of the Standard itself.
This paper describes the key changes between 61000-4-30
Edition1 and Edition 2, with an emphasis on changes that
might affect instruments that were designed with Edition
1 in mind.
II. CHANGES TO CLASSES
61000-4-30 Edition 1 had two classes of measurement
methods: Class A and Class B. The requirements for
Class A were designed so that any two instruments that
used Class A methods would, when connected to the same
signal, produce the same reading, within their accuracy
limits. The requirements for Class B were designed so
that the readings would be useful, but not necessarily
comparable; and to avoid making many instruments
obsolete.
In Edition 2, there are two important changes in this area.
A new class of measurement methods, Class S, has been
defined. These methods are optimized for statistical
surveys, and are in general less expensive than Class A.
Although two Class S instruments may disagree when
connected to the same signal, it is highly likely that a
group of Class S instruments will produce similar
statistics to another group of Class S instruments, when
connected to the same signals.
A warning that Class B may be eliminated in future
versions was added in Edition 2, to discourage designers
of new instruments from using Class B methods.
On this topic, instruments that comply with Class A
requirements of Edition 1 require no changes to comply
with Class A requirements in Edition 2.
III. RE-SYNCHRONIZATION OF AGGREGATION
INTERVALS
61000-4-30 Edition 1 defined several aggregation
intervals: cycle, 10/12 cycles, 150/180 cycles, 10 minutes,
etc.
Edition 2 uses the same aggregation intervals, but adds
detailed requirements for re-synchronizing the 10/12
cycle intervals, and the 10-minute intervals, to the real
time clock.
(Re-synchronization is required because the 10/12 cycle
value and 150/180 cycle values are based on mains
frequency, which wanders and changes, in contrast to the
10-minute intervals which are locked to the real time
clock.)
Edition 1 requires these aggregation intervals, but the
implementation is left to the discretion of the designer.
Edition 2 removes most of that discretion.
We recommend that instrument designers who are
working on Class A methods carefully study Figure 2 of
Edition 2 (for Class S methods, please study Figures 3
and 4 of Edition 2).
On this topic, instruments that comply with Class A
requirements of Edition 1, may require changes to comply
with Class A requirements in Edition 2. Compliance with
the new resynchronization requirements must be verified.
Note that PSL applies engineering judgement when
determining compliance with Edition 2 resynchronization
requirements. Specifically, if an instrument does not
implement part of the synchronization requirements, but
this failure to implement does not affect the required
measurement accuracy even in the most extreme but
practical cases, PSL considers that the instrument
complies.
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IV. FLAGGING CLARIFIED
61000-4-30 Edition 1 introduced the concept of
“flagging” certain aggregated measurements. Basically,
data is flagged if it was recorded during an interval that
includes a voltage dip, a voltage swell, or an interruption.
Edition 2 clarifies the concept of flagging, and clarifies
how flagged data is used.
On this topic, instruments that comply with Class A
requirements of Edition 1 require no changes to comply
with Class A requirements in Edition 2.
V. MAGNITUDE OF SUPPLY – ACCURACY RANGE
Edition 1 required that magnitude of supply voltage
measurements meet the accuracy requirements over the
range of 0% to 200% of Udin, the declared input voltage.
Edition 2 reduces this required range to 10% to 150% of
Udin. (As an influence quantity, magnitude of supply still
goes up to 200%.)
On this topic, instruments that comply with Class A
requirements of Edition 1 require no changes to comply
with Class A requirements in Edition 2.
VI. FLICKER ACCURACY RANGE
Edition 1 included requirements for flicker accuracy, and
appeared to require that accuracy over the entire influence
quantity range.
Edition 2 specifically says that instruments using Class A
methods must meet the accuracy requirements for signals
between 0,2 Pst and 10 Pst.
On this topic, instruments that comply with Class A
requirements of Edition 1 generally require no changes to
comply with Class A requirements in Edition 2.
VII. OTHER MODIFICATIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS
In Edition 2, the mains signaling range and accuracy
requirements are specified more clearly.
The concept of influence quantities was difficult in
Edition 1, so in Edition 2 clarifies the concept. There are
some minor adjustments to the range of influence
quantities; the only significant change is that, as an
influence quantity, mains signaling increased from 9% to
15% Udin.
On this topic, instruments that comply with Class A
requirements of Edition 1 generally require no changes to
comply with Class A requirements in Edition 2.
Compliance with the increased mains signaling influence
quantity must be verified.
VIII. NEW REQUIREMENTS: CERTIFICATES AND
REPORTS
In Edition 1, there was no guidance on how to check for
compliance. Indeed, some labs just checked measurement
accuracy and influence quantity, then incorrectly certified
Class A compliance.
In Edition 2, the normative part of the standard makes
clear that accuracy and influence quantity verification is
necessary but not sufficient. After all, this is a
measurement method standard, so the key to compliance
is to verify that the methods are correctly implemented.
Edition 2 includes an Annex that explains what
information that Certificates of Compliance should
contain, and some guidance on testing. (The information
is based, in part, on Power Standards Lab Certificates.)
On this topic, instruments that received Class A
Certification based on the requirements of Edition 1 from
Power Standards Lab require no changes to comply with
Class A requirements in Edition 2.
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CONCLUSIONS
Instruments that have been certified for Class A
measurement methods by Power Standards Lab, based on
Edition 1 of IEC 61000-4-30, should be reviewed prior to
testing for compliance with Edition 2.
The changes between Edition 1 and Edition 2 are
relatively minor for Class A, but require re-testing by
Power Standards Lab for mains signaling influence
quantity and for proper re-synchronization of aggregated
parameters.
Power Standards Lab Certificates and Reports for IEC
61000-4-30 Class A will remain unchanged, other than
adding the two tests in the previous paragraph. These two
tests may be added as a Supplement to a previous Report.
REFERENCES
[1] IEC 61000-4-30 Edition 1, Testing and Measuring
Techniques – Power Quality Measurement Methods,
2003
[2] IEC 61000-4-30 Edition 2, Testing and Measuring
Techniques – Power Quality Measurement Methods
2008
Alex McEachern (M 1984, SM 1996) is President of Power
Standards Lab in California. He has participated in
the development of the IEC 61000-4-30 standard
States Expert, and was selected as the Convenor for
the standard in 2003. He is beginning work on
Edition 3.