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Easily Program Transients with the Asterion Series

December 4, 2017
 

The success of a product often depends on how well it can handle power transients. To make this testing easier, AMETEK Programmable Power's Asterion AC Series makes it easy for users to create custom waveforms that include transients.

The output waveforms can include any or all of the following transients:

DROP: Drop causes the output voltage to go to 0 V for a specified time. The voltage change is instantaneous. At the end of the drop time, the output voltage will return to the value at the beginning of the DROP.

VOLTAGE SWEEP/STEP: Voltage sweep causes the output voltage to change from the current value to a specified end value at a specified rate of change. Voltage step causes an instantaneous change in output voltage to the specified end value. The end value will be held for the specified time. The final output voltage value of a sweep and a step transient step should be different from the value at the start of the sweep or step, or no change in output voltage will occur.

VOLTAGE SURGE/SAG:  Voltage surge and SAG are temporary changes in the output voltage. The output voltage will change from the current value to a specified value for a specified time. Surge is a change to a higher value, while sag is a change to a lower value. After the time has expired, the supply will set the output voltage to a specified end value. This value could be the same or different from the output voltage prior to the start of the surge or sag.

FREQUENCY SWEEP/STEP: Frequency sweep causes the output frequency to change from the current value to a specified end value at a specified rate of change. Frequency step is an instantaneous change in output frequency. The supply will hold the output frequency at the specified end value for a specified time. The final output frequency value of a transient sweep or step should be different from the value at the start of the transient or no change in output frequency will occur.

FREQUENCY SURGE/SAG: Frequency Surge and Frequency SAG are temporary changes in frequency for a specified time. When programmed to generate a surge, the Asterion will change the current output frequency higher value. When programmed to generate a sag, the output frequency will change to a lower value. At the end of the surge or sag, the Asterion will set the output frequency to a specified end value. This value could be the same or different from the value present prior to the start of the surge or sag.

VOLT/FREQ SWEEP/STEP: This transient type combines voltage and frequency changes into a single step. The Asterion will change both the output voltage and frequency simultaneously. While this transient is programmed as a single transient step, two list entries are required to store this information. As such, this type of transient takes two list entries.

VOLT/FREQ SURGE/SAG: This transient type combines voltage and frequency changes into a single step. The Asterion will change both the output voltage and frequency simultaneously. While this transient is programmed as a single transient step, two list entries are required to store this information. As such, this type of transient takes two list entries.

A custom waveform can consist of up to 100 different transients, and users can create and run this list of transients via the front panel, the remote digital interface using the Asterion Virtual Panels application, or SCPI commands. They can also store these lists in a library in the Asterion's memory and quickly recall them when needed.

For more information about how to use this Asterion feature, or how to program AC transients in general, please contact AMETEK Programmable Power by sending email to sales.ppd@ametek.com or phoning 800-733-5427.