Europe develops reliable and traceable AC voltage measurement system

[ Instrument Network Instrument R & D ] Volt is a unit of potential energy in the International System of Units (SI), which represents the energy required for current flow. According to universal consistency, DC voltage measurement can be traced to standard volt units, but AC voltage measurement cannot be traced.

In order to solve this measurement problem, the European Metrology Innovation and Research Project (EMPIR) "Spectrum-Based Waveform Measurement of Pure Josephson Voltage" project (QuADC) has developed a reliable and traceable AC voltage measurement system. The converted product provides metering capabilities. The results of this project will support the traceability of power quality measurements, thereby improving grid efficiency across Europe.

The rectifier in the AC voltage measurement circuit is similar to the rectifier in the AC current measurement circuit. Therefore, all multimeters with AC current and AC voltage measurement functions share a set of rectifier devices. In AC voltage measurement, the structure of the multiplier for extended range is the same as that for DC voltage measurement. (An equal-ratio variable circuit composed of a multiplier resistor is called a multiplier. The project developed a new quantum-based AC voltage measurement system By using the Josephson effect representation of volts in the International System of Units (SI) to ensure global consistency and not be subject to any physical constraints, AC voltage measurements can be traced directly to SI.

The research team optimized the photodiode installation process for the new system to make it more reliable. In fact, the technology has received the attention of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and appeared on the cover of its journal IEEE on Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology.

New photodiode technology has been able to generate pure AC voltage signals-this is an important step in obtaining a basic AC voltage unit. This proof-of-principle experiment paves the way for the development of quantum systems with superior performance at higher output voltages and higher frequencies in the megahertz (MHz) range.

The completed EMPIR project provides traceability for electrical measurements used in all modern instruments and helps calibration laboratories throughout Europe maintain their long-term competitiveness.