A Power Frequency Modular Sampling Standard for Traceable Power Measurements: Comparison and Perspectives

A power frequency modular digital sampling power standard (DSPS) is developed and extensively characterized at the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM) for accurate electric power measurement with a relative uncertainty (k = 1) better than 8 mu W/VA. The calibration strategy employed allows to link its key constituents to electrical quantum standards with a relative uncertainty (k = 1) within 3 x 10(-6). Comparison measurements against the national power standard at 53 Hz agree well within the respective measurement uncertainties and did not exceed 10 mu W/VA at 240 V and 5 A and any power factor. The various novelties introduced make the DSPS a versatile metrological grade measurement setup, which lends well to further improvements and accurate evaluation of electrical parameters involved in power quality measurements. This article reports the standard, its traceability chain and calibration strategy, comparison measurements, and uncertainty budget.