PXe-PA900 Series Power Analysers

Q: What is a Power Analyser?

A power analyser is a test instrument used to measure electrical power behaviour in more detail than a standard meter. It can measure voltage, current, real power, apparent power, reactive power, power factor, frequency, harmonics and energy consumption, depending on the model and configuration.

Q: What does the PXe-PA900 Power Analyser measure?

The PXe-PA900 measures key AC power parameters, including voltage, current, watts, VA, VAR, power factor, frequency, harmonics, and energy. It can also be configured for waveform, vector, cycle, and historical trend views, providing engineers with more information than a basic power meter.

Q: What is the difference between a Power Analyser and a Power Meter?

A power meter is generally used for straightforward measurements such as watts, voltage, current, and energy consumption. A power analyser provides deeper measurement and diagnostic capability, including harmonic analysis, phase relationships, waveform capture, power factor behaviour and multi-channel efficiency testing.

Q: Can the PXe-PA900 be used for Static Frequency Converter testing?

Yes. The PXe-PA900 can be used to test static frequency converters by measuring output voltage, current, frequency, real power, apparent power, reactive power, power factor, harmonics and load response. This is useful during factory acceptance testing, commissioning, fault investigation and customer witness testing.

Q: Why use a PXe-PA900 instead of relying on the SFC front panel readings?

The front panel on a static frequency converter is useful for operational checks, but it does not provide the same level of measurement detail as a dedicated power analyser. The PA900 allows engineers to examine waveform quality, harmonic content, inrush current, phase imbalance, power factor, and load-dependent behaviour more closely.

Q: How many measurement channels are needed for SFC testing?

That depends on the output arrangement and the test objective. A single phase output may only require one channel. A three phase system typically requires multiple channels, especially when assessing total power, phase imbalance, phase-to-phase behaviour, or input/output efficiency. The PA900 can be configured with up to four power measurement channels.

Q: Can the PXe-PA900 measure input and output efficiency on a converter?

Yes, with the correct channel configuration. Engineers can use multiple channels to compare converter input and output power, which is useful for checking efficiency, losses, and load-dependent performance in static frequency converters, programmable AC sources, and inverter systems.

Q: Can the PXe-PA900 measure harmonics on 400Hz systems?

Yes. The PXe-PA900 supports harmonic analysis and can be specified with expanded harmonic capability where required. This is useful for 400Hz Static Frequency Converter testing, avionics power checks and applications where waveform quality needs to be reviewed or documented.

Q: Can the PXe-PA900 help investigate inrush current?

Yes. The PXe-PA900 includes measurement and display functions that can help engineers investigate inrush and transient behaviour. This is useful when testing transformers, motors, rectifier inputs, capacitive power supplies and other loads connected to a static frequency converter.

Q: What current input option should be selected?

The current input option depends on the expected current level and measurement method. Direct shunt inputs are useful for precision measurement; higher-current inputs suit heavier loads; and external current transducer inputs are useful when clamps, CTs, or other external sensors are preferred. PX should confirm the current range and test setup before specifying the analyser.

PX Electronics PXe-PA900 Series Power Analysers provide accurate analytical AC measurement for loads (DUT) connected to SFC and AC power supplies. Designed for engineering laboratories, production test areas and field service environments, our range supports detailed measurement of voltage, current, power, harmonics, efficiency and energy performance across single-phase, three-phase and multi-channel systems.

Used alongside static frequency converters, programmable AC power sources, inverters, and electrical loads, the PA9xx Series helps engineers verify output performance, monitor load behaviour, and record reliable test data during commissioning, service checks, and product validation.

Technical Highlights for SFC Testing and Power Analysis:

Multi-channel power measurement
Configurable as a single or multi-channel analyser, with one to four measurement channels available depending on the selected arrangement.

Suitable for Static Frequency Converter testing
Supports SFC output checks including voltage, current, frequency, power, power factor, harmonic behaviour and load response during FAT, commissioning or diagnostics.

Modular channel card options
Available with a choice of channel card types, allowing the analyser to be specified around the test requirement rather than forcing a fixed configuration.

Input and output efficiency testing
Virtual Power Analysers can be configured for three phase measurement or input/output efficiency tests, helping engineers assess converter and power supply performance without using separate synchronised instruments.

Data logging for test evidence
Built-in data logging allows selected measurement results to be recorded to USB or internal storage, supporting commissioning records, customer test reports and repeatable validation procedures.

Harmonic and compliance options
Optional harmonic and compliance functions are available, including increased harmonic capability and EN61000 compliance computations where required.

The PXe-PA900 Precision Multi-Channel Harmonic Power Analyser is designed for detailed measurement of AC power systems, including static frequency converters, programmable AC power sources, inverters, motor drives and connected electrical loads.

For PX static frequency converter projects, the PA900 can be used to verify converter output under realistic load conditions. It allows engineers to measure voltage, current, frequency, real power, apparent power, reactive power, power factor, harmonics and load response during factory acceptance testing, commissioning, service diagnostics and customer witness testing.

A single PA900 mainframe can be configured with up to four power measurement channels. This allows the analyser to be used for single-phase measurement, three-phase power analysis, converter output checks or input/output efficiency comparison. Virtual Power Analyser groupings allow channels to be arranged for multi-phase measurements or efficiency testing within a single instrument.

Channel card options allow the analyser to be matched to the test requirement. Standard channel cards are suitable for general power testing; high-accuracy cards offer tighter measurement uncertainty, and wideband cards support more demanding waveform analysis. Current input options include dual-shunt, higher-current, and external current-transducer configurations.

For SFC testing, the PA900 is useful when engineers need to confirm more than just basic front-panel readings. It can help identify waveform distortion, harmonic content, phase imbalance, power factor issues, inrush current and load-dependent behaviour that may not be obvious from voltage and frequency values alone.

The analyser includes diagnostic views for harmonic display, waveform capture, cycle view, vector display and historical trends. These tools help engineers investigate transient behaviour, changes in load conditions, and output quality during converter and power source testing.

Built-in data logging records selected measurement values for later review. This supports commissioning records, internal quality documentation, customer test reports and repeatable validation procedures.

Optional functions and accessories include extended harmonic capability, EN61000 compliance computations, rack mounting, carrying case and ISO 17025 calibration with data.

To specify a PXe-PA900 Power Analyser, the following information is normally required.

Measurement requirement
Confirm whether the analyser will be used for single phase testing, three phase testing, SFC output verification, converter input/output measurement, harmonic analysis, efficiency testing or general AC power measurement.

Number of measurement channels
Select the required number of channels. PA900 models are available with one to four power measurement channels.

Typical model arrangements include:

PXe-PA901-SD with 1 standard dual current channel card
PXe-PA902-SD with 2 standard dual current channel cards
PXe-PA903-SD with 3 standard dual current channel cards
PXe-PA904-SD with 4 standard dual current channel cards

PXe-PA901-AD with 1 high-accuracy dual shunt channel card
PXe-PA902-AD with 2 high-accuracy dual shunt channel cards
PXe-PA903-AD with 3 high-accuracy dual shunt channel cards
PXe-PA904-AD with 4 high-accuracy dual shunt channel cards

Accuracy and bandwidth requirement
Select the channel card type based on the required level of measurement performance. Standard, high-accuracy and wideband channel options are available depending on the application.

Current measurement method
Confirm the expected current range and preferred measurement method. Options include dual-shunt, higher-current, and external-current-transducer input configurations.

Harmonic and compliance requirements
Confirm whether an extended harmonic measurement is required. Optional H500 capability allows expanded harmonic analysis. EN61000 compliance computation options are also available where required.

Data and reporting requirements
Confirm whether the application requires data logging, screen capture, customer witness testing records, harmonic limits, commissioning evidence or ISO 17025 calibration data.

Available options and accessories:

- Extended harmonic measurement capability
- EN61000 compliance computation option
- Universal load power adaptor
- Hard carry/shipping case
- 19-inch rack mount kit
- ISO 17025 calibration with data
- External current transducer configurations
- Wideband channel card options
- High-current input options

For SFC projects, PX Electronics can advise on the most suitable PA900 configuration once the converter rating, output phase arrangement, current level, harmonic measurement requirement and required test evidence are known.

PXe-PA900 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Voltage Input Specifications
Channel Type		S or A Channel	W Channel
Specified Input Range	DC	0 to ±1000V	0 to ±700V
	AC	0.1 to 1000Vrms	0.1 to 700Vrms
	Peak	<1800V	<1800V
Safe Input Range	<1ms	2500Vrms (<3000Vpk)	2000Vrms (<3000Vpk)
	<100ms	2000Vrms (<3000Vpk)	1500Vrms (<3000Vpk)
	<5s	1500Vrms (<2500Vpk)	1000Vrms (<2500Vpk)
	Cont	1000Vrms (<1800Vpk)	700Vrms (<1800Vpk)
Impedance		1.2MΩ ± 1%	400KΩ ± 1%
Voltage Accuracy Specifications
The voltage input has a single dynamic range which covers the entire specified input range.
Channel Type	S Channel	A Channel	W Channel
Resolution	0.001V	0.1mV	0.001V
Base Accuracy	0.1% rdg	0.03% rdg	0.1% rdg
Frequency Adder	0.01-1Hz: 0.05% rdg <10KHz: (0.005F)% rdg 10-40KHz: (0.05+(0.012(F-10)))% rdg 40-100KHz: (0.41+(0.025*(F-40)))% rdg		0.01-1Hz: 0.1% rdg <40KHz: (0.002F)% rdg 40-100KHz: (0.08+(0.004(F-40)))% rdg 100-1000KHz: (0.32+(0.013*(F-100)))% rdg
Bandwidth (-3dB)	>700KHz		>2.5MHz
Floor Adder	DC: 0.002V AC<100Hz: 0.003V AC>100Hz: 0.005V	DC: 0.001V AC<100Hz: 0.002V AC>100Hz: 0.005V	DC: 0.003V AC<100Hz: 0.004V AC>100Hz: 0.007V
Self-Heating Adder	>0.0005ppm rdg per Vrms²		0.0015ppm rdg per Vrms²
Single Harmonic Adder	<10KHz: 0.01%fund + 0.001V <85KHz: 0.05%fund + 0.005V	<10KHz: 0.005%fund + 0.0005V <85KHz: 0.05%fund + 0.005V	<10KHz: 0.015%fund + 0.0015V <100KHz: 0.03%fund + 0.005V <310KHz: 0.08%fund + 0.01V
ΣHarmonic Adder	<10KHz: 0.02%fund + 0.002V <85KHz: 0.1%fund + 0.01V	<10KHz: 0.015%fund + 0.001V <85KHz: 0.15%fund + 0.01V	<10KHz: 0.03%fund + 0.003V <100KHz: 0.06%fund + 0.007V <310KHz: 0.15%fund + 0.015V
CMRR	>1uV per V.Hz		0.7uV per V.Hz
Inter-Channel Phase	(0.02° + 0.15°*F)		(0.02° + 0.07°*F)

Current Input Specifications
Option		H option	D option			X option
Option		H option	AUTO range	HI range	LO range	HI range	LO range
Specified Input Range	DC	0 to ±30A	0 to ±20A	0 to ±20A	0 to ±1A	0 to ±15V	0 to ±0.5V
	<100Hz	3mA to 30Arms	10uA to 20Arms	2mA to 20Arms	10uA to 1Arms	800uV to 15Vrms	20uV to 0.5Vrms
	>100Hz	20mA to 30Arms	150uA to 20Arms	15mA to 20Arms	150uA to 1Arms	2mV to 15Vrms	80uV to 0.5Vrms
	Peak	<200A	<50A	<150A	<1A	<18V	<0.5V
Safe Input Range	<1ms	200Arms (<300Apk)	30Arms (<50Apk)	150Arms (<250Apk)	30Arms (<50Apk)	200Arms (300Apk)	20Arms (300Apk)
	<20ms	75Arms (<300Apk)	20Arms (<50Apk)	50Arms (<200Apk)	20Arms (<50Apk)	50Vrms (300Vpk)	10Vrms (200Vpk)
	<1s	50Arms (<200Apk)	20Arms (<50Apk)	30Arms (<150Apk)	5Arms (<25Apk)	30Vrms (300Vpk)	5Vrms (100Vpk)
	Cont	30Arms	20Arms (<50Apk)	20Arms (<150Apk)	2Arms (<5Apk)	20Vrms (300Vpk)	2Vrms (50Vpk)
	Power Off	As Above	As LO Range			As Above	As HI Range
Impedance		<10mΩ	As HI/LO range	<20mΩ	0.57Ω ± 10%	20.5KΩ ± 1%	10.25KΩ ± 1%

H Option Current Measurement Accuracy Specifications
The H option current input has a single range which covers the entire specified input range.
Channel Type	S Channel	A Channel	W Channel
Resolution	100uA	10uA	100uA
Base Accuracy	0.1%rdg	0.03%rdg	0.1%rdg
Frequency Adder	0.01‐1Hz: 0.05% rdg <10KHz: (0.003F)% rdg 10‐40KHz: (0.03+(0.007(F‐10)))% rdg 40-100KHz: (0.24+(0.02*(F‐40)))% rdg		0.01‐1Hz: 0.1% rdg <40KHz: (0.0015F)% rdg 40‐100KHz: (0.06+(0.003(F-40)))% rdg 100‐1000KHz: (0.24+(0.012*(F‐100)))% rdg
Bandwidth (-3dB)	>1.25MHz		>5MHz
Floor Adder	DC: 200uA AC<100Hz: 800uA AC>100Hz: 3mA	DC: 100uA AC<100Hz: 500uA AC>100Hz: 2mA	DC: 300uA AC<100Hz: 1mA AC>100Hz: 4mA
Self-Heating Adder	1.5ppm reading per Arms²
Single Harmonic Adder	<10KHz: 0.01%fund + 100uA <85KHz: 0.05%fund + 5mA	<10KHz: 0.005%fund + 80uA <85KHz: 0.03%fund + 5mA	<10KHz: 0.015%fund + 150uA <100KHz: 0.03%fund + 5mA <310KHz: 0.08%fund + 5mA
ΣHarmonic Adder	<10KHz: 0.02%fund + 200uA <85KHz: 0.1%fund + 7mA	<10KHz: 0.015%fund + 150uA <85KHz: 0.15%fund + 7mA	<10KHz: 0.03%fund + 300uA <100KHz: 0.06%fund + 7mA <310KHz: 0.15%fund + 10mA
CMRR	500pA per V.Hz
V:A Phase	(0.01° + 0.015°*F)		(0.01° + 0.007°*F)
Inter-Channel Phase	(0.02° + 0.15°*F)		(0.02° + 0.07°*F)
D Option HI Range Current Measurement Accuracy Specifications
The D option current input has two ranges; this section covers the HI range, which covers the entire specified HI input range.
Channel Type	S Channel	A Channel	W Channel
Resolution	100uA	10uA	100uA
Base Accuracy	0.1%rdg	0.03%rdg	0.1%rdg
Frequency Adder	0.01‐1Hz: 0.05%rdg <10KHz: (0.003F)%rdg 10‐40KHz: (0.03+(0.007(F-10)))%rdg 40-100KHz: (0.24+(0.02*(F‐40)))%rdg		0.01‐1Hz: 0.1%rdg <40KHz: (0.0015F)%rdg 40‐100KHz: (0.06+(0.003(F‐40)))%rdg 100‐1000KHz: (0.24+(0.012*(F‐100)))%rdg
Bandwidth (-3dB)	>1.25MHz		>5MHz
Floor Adder	DC: 200uA AC<100Hz: 500uA AC>100Hz: 2mA	DC: 100uA AC<100Hz: 300uA AC>100Hz: 1.5mA	DC: 300uA AC<100Hz: 700uA AC>100Hz: 3mA
Self-Heating Adder	2ppm reading per Arms²
Single Harmonic Adder	<10KHz: 0.01%fund + 70uA <85KHz: 0.05%fund + 3.5mA	<10KHz: 0.005%fund + 50uA <85KHz: 0.03%fund + 3.5mA	<10KHz: 0.015%fund + 100uA <100KHz: 0.03%fund + 3.5mA <310KHz: 0.08%fund + 4mA
ΣHarmonic Adder	<10KHz: 0.02%fund + 150uA <85KHz: 0.1%fund + 5mA	<10KHz: 0.015%fund + 120uA <85KHz: 0.15%fund + 5mA	<10KHz: 0.03%fund + 200uA <100KHz: 0.06%fund + 5mA <310KHz: 0.15%fund + 7mA
CMRR	400pA per V.Hz
V:A Phase	(0.01° + 0.015°*F)		(0.01° + 0.007°*F)
Inter-Channel Phase	(0.02° + 0.15°*F)		(0.02° + 0.07°*F)
D Option LO Range Current Measurement Accuracy Specifications
The D option current input has two ranges; this section covers the LO range, which covers the entire specified LO input range.
Channel Type	S Channel	A Channel	W Channel
Resolution	1uA	0.1uA	1uA
Base Accuracy	0.1% rdg	0.03% rdg	0.1% rdg
Frequency Adder	0.01‐1Hz: 0.05% rdg <10KHz: (0.003F)% rdg 10‐40KHz: (0.03+(0.007(F-10)))% rdg 40-100KHz: (0.24+(0.02*(F‐40)))% rdg		0.01‐1Hz: 0.1% rdg <40KHz: (0.0015F)% rdg 40‐100KHz: (0.06+(0.003(F‐40)))% rdg 100‐1000KHz: (0.24+(0.012*(F-100)))% rdg
Bandwidth (-3dB)	>1.25MHz		>6MHz
Floor Adder	DC: 2uA AC<100Hz: 3uA AC>100Hz: 10uA	DC: 1uA AC<100Hz: 1.5uA AC>100Hz: 8uA	DC: 3uA AC<100Hz: 4uA AC>100Hz: 15uA
Single Harmonic Adder	<10KHz: 0.01%fund + 0.4uA <85KHz: 0.05%fund + 20uA	<10KHz: 0.005%fund + 0.3uA <85KHz: 0.03%fund + 20uA	<10KHz: 0.015%fund + 0.5uA <100KHz: 0.03%fund + 20uA <310KHz: 0.08%fund + 30uA
ΣHarmonic Adder	<10KHz: 0.02%fund + 1uA <85KHz: 0.1%fund + 30uA	<10KHz: 0.015%fund + 0.7uA <85KHz: 0.15%fund + 30uA	<10KHz: 0.03%fund + 1uA <100KHz: 0.06%fund + 30uA <310KHz: 0.15%fund + 40uA
CMRR	20pA per V.Hz
V:A Phase	(0.01° + 0.015°*F)		(0.01° + 0.007°*F)
Inter-Channel Phase	(0.02° + 0.15°*F)		(0.02° + 0.07°*F)
X Option HI Range Current Measurement Accuracy Specifications
The X option current input has two ranges; this section covers the HI range, which covers the entire specified HI input range.
Channel Type	S Channel	A Channel	W Channel
Resolution	1uV	0.1uV	1uV
Base Accuracy	0.1% rdg	0.03% rdg	0.1% rdg
Frequency Adder	0.01-1Hz: 0.05% rdg <10KHz: (0.003F)% rdg 10‐40KHz: (0.03+(0.007(F‐10)))% rdg 40-100KHz: (0.24+(0.02*(F‐40)))% rdg		0.01‐1Hz: 0.1% rdg <40KHz: (0.0015F)% rdg 40‐100KHz: (0.068+(0.004(F-40)))% rdg 100‐1000KHz: (0.308+(0.015*(F‐100)))% rdg
Bandwidth (-3dB)	>1.25MHz		>3MHz
Floor Adder	DC: 2uV AC<100Hz: 2uV AC>100Hz: 8uV	DC: 1uV AC<100Hz: 1.5uV AC>100Hz: 5uV	DC: 2uV AC<100Hz: 3uV AC>100Hz: 10uV
Single Harmonic Adder	<10KHz: 0.01%fund + 0.3uV <85KHz: 0.05%fund + 10uV	<10KHz: 0.005%fund + 0.1uV <85KHz: 0.03%fund + 10uV	<10KHz: 0.015%fund + 0.3uV <100KHz: 0.03%fund + 10uV <310KHz: 0.08%fund + 15uV
ΣHarmonic Adder	<10KHz: 0.02%fund + 0.5uV <85KHz: 0.1%fund + 15uV	<10KHz: 0.015%fund + 0.3uV <85KHz: 0.15%fund + 15uV	<10KHz: 0.03%fund + 0.5uV <100KHz: 0.06%fund + 15uV <310KHz: 0.15%fund + 20uV
CMRR	1nV per V.Hz
V:A Phase	(0.01° + 0.015°*F)		(0.01° + 0.007°*F)
Inter-Channel Phase	(0.02° + 0.15°*F)		(0.02° + 0.07°*F)
X Option LO Range Current Measurement Accuracy Specifications
The X option current input has two ranges; this section covers the LO range, which covers the entire specified LO input range.
Channel Type	S Channel	A Channel	W Channel
Resolution	1uV	0.1uV	1uV
Base Accuracy	0.1% rdg	0.03% rdg	0.1% rdg
Frequency Adder	0.01‐1Hz: 0.05% rdg <10KHz: (0.003F)% rdg 10‐40KHz: (0.03+(0.007(F‐10)))% rdg 40-100KHz: (0.24+(0.02*(F‐40)))% rdg		0.01‐1Hz: 0.1% rdg <40KHz: (0.0015F)% rdg 40‐100KHz: (0.068+(0.004(F‐40)))% rdg 100‐1000KHz: (0.308+(0.015*(F‐100)))% rdg
Bandwidth (-3dB)	>1.25MHz		>3MHz
Floor Adder	DC: 2uV AC<100Hz: 2uV AC>100Hz: 8uV	DC: 1uV AC<100Hz: 1.5uV AC>100Hz: 5uV	DC: 2uV AC<100Hz: 3uV AC>100Hz: 10uV
Single Harmonic Adder	<10KHz: 0.01%fund + 0.3uV <85KHz: 0.05%fund + 10uV	<10KHz: 0.005%fund + 0.1uV <85KHz: 0.03%fund + 10uV	<10KHz: 0.015%fund + 0.3uV <100KHz: 0.03%fund + 10uV <310KHz: 0.08%fund + 15uV
ΣHarmonic Adder	<10KHz: 0.02%fund + 0.5uV <85KHz: 0.1%fund + 15uV	<10KHz: 0.015%fund + 0.3uV <85KHz: 0.15%fund + 15uV	<10KHz: 0.03%fund + 0.5uV <100KHz: 0.06%fund + 15uV <310KHz: 0.15%fund + 20uV
CMRR	1nV per V.Hz
V:A Phase	(0.01° + 0.015°*F)		(0.01° + 0.007°*F)
Inter-Channel Phase	(0.02° + 0.15°*F)		(0.02° + 0.07°*F)
Watts, VAR and VA Measurement Accuracy Specifications
Fundamental Phase Adder (for W or VAR only, typically can be ignored for active loading, where the PF is reduced by distortion rather than phase shift. K is 0.3 for Watts, harmonic VAR and harmonic VA, otherwise 1.0.
Channel Type	S Channel	A Channel	W Channel
Base Accuracy	0.17% rdg	0.05% rdg	0.17% rdg
Frequency Adder	Add Frequency Adders for voltage and current
Floor Adder	DC: Vdc(DC Current Floor Adder) + Adc(DC Voltage Floor Adder) + (DC Voltage Floor Adder)(DC Current Floor Adder) AC: VacK(AC Current Floor Adder) + AacK*(AC Voltage Floor Adder)
Fundamental Phase Adder	Watts: VAfund(PFfund – cos(cos-1(PFfund) + V:A phase for current input)) VAR: VAfund((1-PFfund) – cos(cos-1(1-PFfund) + V:A phase for current input))
Self-Heating Adder	Add Self-Heating Adders for voltage and current
Single Harmonic Adder	Add Single Harmonic Adders for voltage and current
ΣHarmonic Adder	Add ΣHarmonic Adders for voltage and current

What is a Power Analyser?

What does the PXe-PA900 Power Analyser measure?

What is the difference between a Power Analyser and a Power Meter?

Can the PXe-PA900 be used for Static Frequency Converter testing?

Why use a PXe-PA900 instead of relying on the SFC front panel readings?

How many measurement channels are needed for SFC testing?

Can the PXe-PA900 measure input and output efficiency on a converter?

Can the PXe-PA900 measure harmonics on 400Hz systems?

Can the PXe-PA900 help investigate inrush current?

What current input option should be selected?

Can test data be recorded for FAT or commissioning records?

Is ISO 17025 calibration available?

What information should be provided when specifying a PXe-PA900 for SFC testing?

PXe-PA900 Series Power Analysers

Technical Highlights for SFC Testing and Power Analysis:

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