Tektronix Adds To Power Offering With Single-Phase Analyser

Tektronix is continuing its move in to the power measure instrument market with a single-phase power analyser.

The PA1000 uses what Tektronix calls a Spiral Shunt design. The supplier has also scope-like features such as a colour graphical display and one-button application modes to this power analyser.

The instrument’s PWRVIEW PC software includes reporting features such as a full compliance IEC62301 standby power certificate.

The single-phase power analyser follows Tektronix’s first power analyser, the PA4000 series, introduced last year. 

“This is an aggressive move into growing market segment in test and measurement,” said Amir Aghdaei, president of Tektronix.

Oscilloscopes can be used for basic power analysis but more accurate measurements require dedicated power analysers.

 Power measurement is particularly important in the development of solar photovoltaic and wind energy systems.

The PA1000 has 0.05% basic accuracy and 1MHz measurement bandwidth. Two internal current shunts are included on each PA1000 — one for current measurements up to 1A, for precise low-current measurements, and another for current measurements up to 20A.

The 1A shunt can be used for maintaining measurements resolution and accuracy on demanding low-current signals common to standby power testing.

The instrument has LAN, USB and GPIB interfaces and a five-year warranty.

Tektronix has also released improved accuracy specifications for the PA4000 power analyzer and extended the standard warranty to five years from the previous three years. The new accuracy specifications apply to RMS voltage, RMS current and Power. For instance RMS voltage accuracy was rated at ± 0.04% and has now been improved to a rating of ± 0.01%.

The PA1000 is priced at €2,470/£2,080.