Date of Award

Spring 2018

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Electrical Engineering

Committee Chair

Josh Wold

First Advisor

Dan Trudnowski

Second Advisor

Matt Donnelly

Third Advisor

Curtis Link

Abstract

The power grid is a complex system composed of many different elements. Knowledge of electrical waveform content across the grid is key to managing power and maintaining stability. Electrical waveforms can be represented mathematically as time-varying phasors. Electrical phasors give information pertaining to the magnitude of the waveform as well as the phase relationship of the waveform to a reference. A Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) is a device that is installed at a node on the power grid and measures electrical phasors. The potential of near real time phasor information is powerful and has driven PMU application technology forward at a rapid pace over the last decade. The IEEE C37.118 standard establishes requirement guidelines for PMU performance. Before PMUs are implemented in real time applications researchers may wish to test PMUs to obtain specific device behavior. This thesis will describe the development of a robust PMU test bench that is capable producing dynamic input signals. Dynamic testing and analysis will reveal time domain and frequency domain characteristics of the PMU under test. A discussion on the reported response and the real time response of PMUs will be covered to give more insight into the real time behavior and application of PMUs. Conclusions will take one last look at the project and discuss the potential of this work as a starting point for future PMU testing.

Comments

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

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