Power analyzers delivering the highest accuracy and speed

In September 2006, our PPA2500 power analyzer was launched, introducing leading power measurement performance in a compact, cost-effective instrument, and quickly establishing a reputation for exceptional accuracy and stability in the most demanding power applications. Now, the PPA5500 series further extends our power analysis range for those who need the ultimate power analysis product—the top-of-the-range model offered by N4L, and rightly so.

While retaining the wide frequency range and excellent noise rejection for which the PPA2500 is renowned, the PPA5500 series adds larger voltage and current measurement ranges, higher processing power, more memory, a real-time clock, a high-contrast color display, 1GB of non-volatile internal memory, and an external USB memory port. A 2MS/s sample rate and "true real-time" gapless analysis are a powerful combination for power analysis. Together with an innovative analog front-end design (including our proprietary "planar shunt technology"), the PPA5500 delivers truly exceptional measurement stability and accuracy. With a phase angle accuracy of 0.005 degrees, the PPA5500 is ideal for transformer loss analysis testing at very low power factors. Please see our power analyzer tutorial series, which demonstrates the speed and versatility of the PPA5500.

All PPA5500 units come standard with UKAS ISO17025 accreditation, performed at our accredited ISO17025 laboratory at N4L in the UK.

Product Images

ISO17025 Calibration and Verification

Every PPA5500 power analyzer supplied by N4L comes with a UKAS-accredited calibration certificate up to 850Hz, as well as a UKAS-traceable calibration certificate up to 2MHz. N4L has developed a number of custom power calibrators to verify the accuracy of every power analyzer supplied across its entire frequency range, which is very rare in the instrumentation industry. In addition, an ISO17025 (UKAS)-accredited closed-loop calorimeter developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford (UK) has verified the performance of N4L's custom-designed power calibration bench with a very low level of uncertainty, providing absolute confidence that the wideband performance of all N4L power analyzers is market-leading.

Features and Benefits

Tutorial 1: Power Analyzer Startup and External Shunt Configuration

Tutorial 2: PWM Motor Drive Efficiency Measurement

Tutorial 2a: PWM Motor Drive Efficiency Measurement (Extended Version)

Tutorial 3: Standby Power Measurement of USB Power Adapters

Tutorial 4: AC/DC Converter Efficiency Measurement

PPA5500 options, software and accessories

Communication interfaces:

• Standard: LAN, USB, RS232 and GPIB communication ports

Probe and probe accessory options:

• UrukupUltra-low capacitance probe (active, for DUT probes susceptible to capacitive loading) – 1.5pF, 1000Vrms, DC to 2MHz, 1000:1

• TT-HV250 high-voltage probe (passive) – 2.5kVpk, 100:1

• TT-HVP15HF high voltage probe – 15kVpk, 1000:1

• ATT20– 20:1 attenuator (for cases where the voltage probe output does not meet the PPA external input 3Vpk maximum rating) – for connection to the PPA external input and external attenuator probes.

Expansion port and accessory options:

• ADI40 40Channel analog<>digital IO interface

• PCIS– Phase-controlled inrush (used when DUT source needs to be controlled by phase angle)

Lead, connection and interface options:

• 20AOne-phase connection lead set (standard) – 20A, 1.5m long + crocodile clips

• 36 ASingle-phase connection lead set – 36A rated current, 1.5m long + crocodile clips

• Voltage breakout lead set – 3 x 2m BNC to BNC with 4mm banana voltage breakout + 2 x voltage low shorting leads (for use when the distance between analyzer and DUT is large and HF series external shunts are used, facilitating shorted voltage connections.

• Universal breakout box – Single-phase 10Arms universal breakout box

• RS232 cable (standard) – 9-pin null modem cable

• USB cable (standard) – 2m long A male to B male USB cable

Carrying case:

• PPA45/55xx soft carrying case – black nylon padded case with accessory compartment, handle and strap

• PPA45/55xx Hard Carry Case – PPA45/55xx hard aluminium flight case with accessory compartment, handle and lock (ideal for aircraft hold)

Rack mount kit option:

• PPA45/55xx Rack mounting kit – 19" rack mounting kit, including brackets and fixing screws for PPA45/55xx

Calibration and documentation (new units standard with UKAS ISO17025 certificate):

• Standard Recalibration(ISO17025 traceable) – Single-phase PPA (PPA5510)

• Standard Recalibration(ISO17025 traceable) - two-phase and three-phase PPA (PPA5520 and PPA5530)

• ISO17025 UKAS Calibration + standard calibration – single-phase PPA (PPA5510)

• ISO17025 UKAS Calibration + standard calibration – single-phase PPA (PPA5520 and PPA5530)

• PPA55xx loan instrument available on request during calibration or repair (available in Europe only)

• Spare user manual – hard copy of user and communication manuals

Current measurement options:

• N4L HF SeriesShunts – 1Arms ~ 500Arms rating, DC ~ 1MHz resistive shunts.

• N4L WR series Rogowski current sensors – Rated current 1A ~ 10000A, 1Hz to 1MHz Rogowski coils

• Zero-flux current sensors (currentoutput) – 600A rating, DC ~ 250kHz

• AC+DC Hall effect current clamp – various current ratings and bandwidths available

• AC current clamp – various current ratings and bandwidths available

PC software (free):

• For all software downloads, please visit the "Support" section of our website.

• PPALoG – power analysis data logging software (up to 64 parameters measured simultaneously, up to 12 phases) (PPA Data Logger User ManualPDF，3.1Mb）

• PPA Standby Power Software – compliant with IEC62301 and EN50564 (Redundant power supply user manualPDF，2Mb）

• IECSoft harmonics and flicker (IEC61000-3-2/3-3/3-11/3-12) software