Accelerate the Design, Validation, and Testing of Motors and Drives
Spend less time second-guessing the quality of your power measurements and analysis and instead focus more on moving your project forward. Yokogawa Test & Measurement provides the tools that allow engineers to analyze the “electro” and “mechanical” challenges of electromechanical systems. Gain valuable insight into the full source-to-load system from the supplied power to motor output and everything in between.
A 4-Step Process for Testing Motor & Drives Systems
White Paper
Electric motors are electromechanical machines that convert electric energy into mechanical energy. Despite differences in size and type, all electric motors work in much the same way: an electric current flowing through a wire coil in a magnetic field creates a force that rotates the coil, thus creating torque. Understanding power generation, power loss, and the different types of power measured can be intimidating. This white paper gives an overview of basic electric and mechanical power measurements and the interfacing of drives in motors.
Read the White Paper
Tools for the Development of Premium Efficiency Motors
White Paper
Standards driving energy efficiency classifications are a driving force behind the development of the next generation of motor and drive technologies. These classifications drive manufacturers to maximize efficiency, requiring a high confidence in energy measurements.
Read the White Paper
eBook
Electric Motor Power Measurement & Analysis
Understanding motor power consumption and measuring efficiency is key to optimizing motor development and usage. This eBook discusses the basics of power measurements of motor systems, including the drive system, while also looking at mechanical measurements.
Download eBook
Webinar
Motors & Drives Analysis
Motors & Drives Analysis will provide attendees with education and measurement solutions for making precision high-accuracy power measurements on an electric motor system via industrial motor drive applications.
View Webinar
Case Study
AC Kinetics Case Study
AC Kinetics was challenged by Georgia Pacific to develop an algorithm to optimize the operation of large AC induction motors by 10%.
Download Case Study
The Measurement Challenge
Various measurements at tests points on the motor and drive system require specialized equipment optimized to ensure the highest quality with few trade-offs. The correct instrument may depend on the level of accuracy, number of channels, or type of signal being acquired.
Maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) is an optimization strategy for the control of electric motors and drives that employ field-oriented control (FOC), particularly with electric vehicles (EVs) and industrial automation applications. The goal of MTPA is to achieve the maximum possible torque output from a motor for a given current input.
This application note details the process for measuring and verifying proper motor function using a power analyzer, and how to troubleshoot common errors in the measured output.
This application note provides guidance for making measurements relating to field-oriented control of electric motors and presents an example use case that illustrates how to accomplish these with the /MT1 option on a Yokogawa Test&Measurement DL950 ScopeCorder. Specifically addressed are direct and quadrature currents of a surface-mounted permanent magnet motor with field weakening applied. The techniques discussed are also applicable to other field-oriented control variables, algorithms, and motor technologies.
Measurement guidance related to field-oriented control (FOC) of electric motors with example use cases that illustrates how this is accomplished using a power analyzer and/or a ScopeCorder. Specifically addressed are direct and quadrature currents of a surface-mounted permanent magnet motor (SMPM) with field weakening applied. The techniques illustrated can also be applied to other FOC variables, algorithms, and motor technologies.
With the increased demand in electric-hybrid vehicles, the electromechanical designs of in-vehicle systems are becoming more sophisticated and there has been a demand shift towards high efficiency brushless direct current motor (BLDC) implementation. Think of motorized seat adjustment, electric window, power steering, HVAC fans, pumps, etc. In many of these systems various types of motors are used as actuators; more specifically, 3-phase BLDC motors are gaining popularity as they provide these important advantages:
- Improved speed vs torque characteristics
- High dynamic response
- High efficiency
- Extended speed ranges
- Long operation life
To best utilize SiC devices for improved energy efficiency in equipment, it is important to optimize the internal device peripheral circuits in the inverter according to the device characteristics.
How can I capture data from motion sensors synchronized with other analog data? The Yokogawa ScopeCorder series of instruments feature input modules and functions to make this possible.
Use built-in calculations to analyze motor rotor position of Brushless DC motors (BLDC) and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines (PMSM) and find the relative angle between the rotor and position sensors such as encoders or resolvers
Harmonic content is a key contributor to low power quality, and agency standards are written to ensure manufacturers take action to measure and control harmonics.
Standards driving energy efficiency classifications are a driving force behind the development of the next generation of motor and drive technologies. Learn more here.
- Electric Motor Power Measurement and Analysis
- Improving/optimizing electric motor performance and efficiency
- Understand how electric current is measured
- Motor testing, variable speed drive testing procedure
- AC, DC, and power measurement
- Precision measurements on motors and VFD systems
- How to calculate energy efficiency
The objective of this paper is to show the close relationship between efficiency and power quality, and provide education on the causes of power quality, types of power quality issues, and provide guidance on measurement considerations.
AC Kinetics was challenged by Georgia Pacific to develop an algorithm to optimize the operation of large AC induction motors by 10%. To test their algorithm on a motor drive, they needed to demonstrate repeatable measurements in a real world application.
As a one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers, Triumph confirms every bike is precision-engineered to deliver a complete riding experience. To ensure higher performance and efficiency of the motorcycle powertrain, Triumph test their engines under rigorous conditions, measuring and analyzing a vast array of parameters under varying conditions, from sensors configured and positioned all around a bike.
As a respected pioneer in folding bikes, Brompton’s first foldable e-bikes was eagerly anticipated. However, to develop such high-performance e-bikes engineers at Brompton needed to perform comprehensive dynamic testing to achieve rider – bike harmony.
Understanding motor power consumption & measuring efficiency is key for motor development. Learn the basics of power measurements of motor systems (drive systems) & review mechanical measurements.
In research published by the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) Department of the University of California, Berkeley, the Yokogawa Test&Measurement WT5000 Precision Power Analyzer's high accuracy and modular architecture were used to perform calculations on efficiency, pulse width modulations, and harmonic content.
In research published by the Turkey Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (TÜBİTAK), researchers from Düzce University and Gazi University use a Yokogawa Test&Measurement DLM4038 Mixed Signal Oscilloscope to collect and view phase current waveforms.
In a research published in the SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, researchers from Georgia Southern University use a Yokogawa Test&Measurement DL850 ScopeCorder to record and monitor data from a piezoelectric pressure transducer in-cylinder, a pressure sensor for intake pressure, and an optical rotary encoder for engine rotational position and speed, and to test the combustion and emissions characteristics on an experimental engine.
I’ve been using Yokogawa Test&Measurement instruments for power measurement and analysis for several years and they always get the job done. They provide extensive and thorough documentation for their equipment and their drivers are very handy. Features like screengrabs of test results for easier sharing and the remote interface (which minimizes the time we spend having to automate tests) have proven to be incredibly helpful. My team needs instruments that are well documented, easy to use, and reliable. Yokogawa instruments check all these boxes.
—Power Drive Systems Electrification Validation Test Development, Fortune 500 Leading Global Supplier of Sustainable Automotive Solutions
It’s not an exaggeration to say I owe a good bit of my career success to Yokogawa Test&Measurement. By using their ScopeCorders that combine the best parts of an oscilloscope and DAQ, projects that once took weeks across multiple instruments suddenly only took a few hours with just one instrument. The impact on what I could accomplish really was quite remarkable, and my ability to accurately complete projects in record time made me look incredible. No matter how complex or convoluted the task, the ScopeCorders never fail to easily handle anything I throw at them. They’re amazing instruments and I tell others about them every chance I get. —Kenneth Shoemaker, Automotive Industry Consultant/Owner at Panama Prototypes
We developed an algorithm to optimize induction motor operation and produce an average power consumption savings of at least 10%. To demonstrate our algorithm’s effectiveness, we needed a proven and verified system that would give these results credibility. The solution provided by Yokogawa Test&Measurement enabled us to monitor and refine our algorithm using real-time speed, power, and temperature readings – data that would normally be incredibly difficult to accurately obtain. Having these real-world results that demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm means we can be more efficient with our own customers. —Neil Singer, President, AC Kinetics
How-tos
- Measuring Individual Phase Power on Three Phase Systems
- Standard Delta computation function
- Available on Yokogawa WT5000 Precision Power Analyzer
Having multiple memory options allows engineering groups to optimize how data is stored, no matter if you need to record for a long time at slower sampling rates, do a fast capture at high sampling rates, or anything in between.
The Yokogawa Test&Measurement DL950 ScopeCorder operates as an oscilloscope and incorporates the ability to record data for long periods of time like a data acquisition recorder. There are four memory types on the DL950 ScopeCorder: internal memory, solid state drive, flash memory, and PC storage through the IS8000 Integrated Test and Measurement Software Platform. This videos talks about the advantages of each of these and how to pick the best data recording method for you.
Learn when to use line filters and/or frequency filters while making power measurements with a power analyzer.
Webinars
- How to avoid the “gotcha's” of inverter-based measurements
- Computations for field-oriented control
- The integration of CAN bus communications
- Correlations in the frequency domain
- Other advanced motor and drive topics
You know the basics of electrical power measurements, have set up your dyno, and made key measurements – which is great. But as your motor and drive projects progress, the complexities of system drive requirements can change frequently. Control algorithms, networked communications, and mechanical systems form a complex web of interactions that need sorting. This 60-minute webinar explains how to get past ground-level measurements and delve into comprehensive solutions that leverage test and measurement instruments including power analyzers, high-speed data acquisition, and real-time software.
Topics include:
The technical presentation includes an audience Q&A.
Why should you be concerned with your product’s power system voltage and current harmonics? From an engineering perspective, harmonics produce excessive heat in equipment that causes significant damage and results in inefficient operation. From a business perspective, compliance is an absolute requirement for entry into global markets. To minimize or eliminate these issues and establish acceptable levels of harmonics, numerous power quality standards with specifications and limits for harmonic distortion, such as IEEE 519-2014 and IEC61000-3-2, have been introduced. During this webinar, attendees will gain knowledge on the inner workings of harmonics, learn best practices for accurately measuring harmonics, learn to recognize and distinguish the critical difference between DFT and FFT, and discover important measurement tradeoffs across various test equipment.