Manufacture of precision electrical measurement instruments

As the peak body for measurement we’re responsible for developing, maintaining and disseminating Australia’s national standards.

We apply the technology and skills we develop though our research to design, manufacture and supply instruments and standards for clients. The devices and systems we manufacture are among the most accurate in the world, and many have no known equivalents.

The instruments currently available are:

• PBA-1S precision buffer amplifier
• precision 1000 V inductive voltage divider
• a range of precision resistive voltage dividers
• precision multi-range current transformer MCT-1
• precision current shunts
• CCS-4S computer controlled switch for ac-dc transfer measurement systems.

We can manufacture other precision devices and systems on request. 

For more information email info@measurement.gov.au or phone 1800 020 076.  

PBA-1S precision buffer amplifier for thermal voltage converters

The precision buffer amplifier is a three stage voltage follower. It’s designed to drive thermal voltage converters (TVCs) without introducing appreciable contribution to the ac-dc difference. Our unique design ensures closeness of the gain to unity, and low phase shift up to 200 kHz. 

Specifications

• maximum voltage: 5 V rms
• input connector: N-female or BNC
• output connector: N-male or BNC
• input impedance: 10 MΩ in parallel with 20 pF
• ac-dc difference:
  • less than 1 µV/V up to 10 kHz;
  • less than 100 µV/V at 100 kHz
• output voltage with open input: less than 200 mV
• power: 16 Vac from included supply or ±12 Vdc from an optional external battery.

Precision 1000 V inductive voltage divider

The precision inductive voltage divider suits metrological applications that require accurate scaling of ac voltage up to 1000 V rms, such as measurements of electrical power.  

Specifications

• type: separately excited three-stage inductive voltage divider
• number of decades: 3
• maximum input voltage: 1100 V ac rms or 20 V/Hz, whichever is less
• voltage ratios for isolated outputs (decade “x 0.001”): 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, … 0.010
• nominal frequency range: 40 Hz to 1 kHz
• typical ratio errors at power frequencies: 
  • in-phase: 1 part in 10⁹ of input
  • quadrature: 5 parts in 10⁹ of input
• typical calibration uncertainty and life-time stability at power frequencies:
  • in-phase: 1 part in 10¹⁰ of input
  • quadrature: 5 parts in 10¹⁰ of input
• weight: 117 kg.

Precision resistive voltage divider RVD-2

The precision resistive voltage divider accurately converts ac and dc voltage up to 500 V to a lower voltage, where sampling and other techniques deliver accurate measurements. 

Specifications

• nominal ratio: 0.002 (other ratios available)
• nominal input impedance: 100 kΩ 
• nominal input voltage: 500 V
• input connector: type HSV
• output connector: type N-female
• nominal frequency range: 40 Hz to 1 kHz
• ac-dc transfer difference and of the ratio at power frequencies: less than 5 parts in 10⁶
• phase error at power frequencies: less than 5 µrad.

Other ratio, input impedance and nominal input voltage combinations are available upon request. 

Precision multi-range current transformer MCT-1

The multi-range current transformer forms part of national standards for electrical power. 

The transformer converts a wide range of alternating currents into a voltage with 0.8 V or 1 V nominal value and can be controlled remotely via a USB interface. It allows full automation of the measurement setup and offers high accuracy. Its long-term stability is determined by one ultra-stable 10 Ω resistor.

We supply the transformer with three precision resistors, connecting and interface cables, driver software a calibration certificate and a manual.

Specifications

• input current ranges: 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 50*, 100*, 200* А (* with the Range Extender)
• nominal output voltage: 0.8 V or 1 V (must be specified at the time of order)
• frequency range: 10 Hz to 10 kHz
• maximum in-phase error at 50 Hz: 5 µV/V
• maximum quadrature error at 50 Hz: 10 µrad
• typical calibration uncertainty at 50 Hz (95%):
  • transformer ratio: 2 µV/V, 3 µrad
  • resistor ac-dc difference: 1 µV/V
  • resistor phase: 1 µrad
• interface: USB
• input connector: 4-pin 30A Amphenol (up to 20 A)
• 12 mm terminals (above 20 A)
• output connector: N-type or BNC
• output resistance: 30 Ω.

Precision current shunts

The precision current shunts are part of standards for ac-dc transfer and ac current.

Each shunt is a coaxial two-port 4 terminal resistor, comprising a parallel combination of precision thick film resistive elements. 

Specifications

• nominal output voltage: 1 V
• input connector: UHF female or N-male
• output connector: N-female
• typical lifetime stability of ac-dc difference: less than 10% of calibration uncertainty
• change of resistance due to self-heating:
  • less than 10 µΩ/Ω/W for ranges up to 2 A
  • less than 1 µΩ/Ω/W for ranges from 5 A to 20 A
• typical phase error: less than 1 µrad at 1 kHz, less than 10 µrad at 10 kHz.

Capabilities

Typical ac-dc difference (µΩ/Ω)

Typical uncertainty of ac-dc difference (µΩ/Ω)

CCS-4S computer controlled switch for ac-dc transfer measurement systems

The computer controlled switch for ac-dc transfer measurement systems is a two-terminal single-pole double-throw device. It can operate under full remote or manual control, and has a manual off switch. Light emitting diodes indicate the state of the switch.

The switch contains two modules, a control unit (USB or PCI) and either a high voltage relay unit or a high frequency relay unit. We supply the switch with LabView and Visual Basic drivers, and a manual.

Specifications 

• rated voltage:
  • 1100 V @ 100 kHz reducing to 30 V @ 1 MHz (with high voltage relay unit)
  • 120 V @ 100 kHz reducing to 10 V @ 100 MHz (with high frequency relay unit)
• input and output connectors: N-female
• switching time: < 5 ms
• on-resistance repeatability: < 20 mΩ@10 mA
• interface: USB.