School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Burst-Surge-Dips & Voltage Variations

< LAB # 6>

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BURST IMMUNITY

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this lab is to observe the behavior of the equipment being tested after it undergoes a
burst discharge test. The term burst refers to a sequence of brief pulses characterized by low energy
content.

These tests can be performed on equipment such as power supply units, PCs, household appliances,
electric and electronic tools

When an electric circuit is turned off, the current flowing through the switch is interrupted
immediately. As a result a high voltage will be generated for a very brief time. This voltage generation is
attributed to the inductance associated with the wiring. Some types of electric loads also contribute to
this inductance e.g. electric motors or electromagnetic coils etc. The voltage is generated according to
the following equation;

V=L di/dt

Where V is the voltage generated, L is the inductance involved and di/dt is the change in current due to
the opening of switch.

The result of such voltage generation is observed in forms of sparks occurring between the switch
contacts. This spark is actually made up of a sequence of microsparks collectively referred to as
showering arc. Currents and voltages related to the above sparks propagate along the circuit electric
wires. As a result other devices connected to the network might suffer from temporary malfunctioning
although physical damage is unlikely because the duration of these pulses is quite small and also the
energy in the pulse will be reduced due to the resistive effects of the conduction wires.

2. DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT USED

The measuring instrument for this experiment consists of a SURGE & BURST generator. The generator
requires no special calibration or pre selection. Only the voltages to be applied to the equipment under
test are adjusted.

3. EXPERIMENTAL SETTINGS

To conduct the experiment, an insulated table is placed on a ground plane. A metal platform is placed
on the insulated table which should be connected to the ground plane. The power supply for the
equipment being tested will be drawn directly from the burst generator which is equipped with a 16A
connector on the front panel. Connect the 16A plug on the rear panel to the supply network.

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Digital tester can be used to display the high voltages (Attenuates the voltages by a ratio of 1:1000).
Calibrate the tester as follows

 Connector the TESTER negative to the generator unit ground point

 Connect the TESTER positive to the test point corresponding the voltage t be measured

 Make sure that the surge generator rotator switch is set to OFF

 Set the burst voltage by selecting the rotator switch to the value to be measured i.e. 1KV

 Read the value of the tester. Readjust the value by means of respective trimmer in case the
voltage read is not equal to 1 V

Repeat the process for all the generated voltages

The frequency of the burst can be checked by connecting a frequency meter capable of reading a
frequency of 5 KHz

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4. MEASUREMENTS

The measurement shall proceed as follows;

 Set the burst discharge voltage

 Press the TEST button on the front panel of the generator

 This operation will actuate a cycle that lasts a few seconds, during this cycle the generator will
create the pulse train which is applied to the equipment to be tested and then disconnect the
test circuit.

Contrary to the graphical results, these BURST immunity tests classify the equipment into three classes
according to their response to the BURST

 Class A: The equipment will keep on working. No abnormality or degradation is found

 Class B: The equipment will keep on working. Slight abnormality or degradation is found and will
not affect the equipment operation

 Class A: The equipment will temporarily be out of working order, but will resume functionality
when strain is resumed

5. LEARNING ACHIEVEMENTS

Mention in your own word what have you learned after completing the lab experiment and analyzing
the results.

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SURGE IMMUNITY

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this lab is to observe the behavior of the equipment being tested after it undergoes a
surge discharge test.

Surge immunity tests are concerned with the safety of the equipment in case of thunderbolts.

2. DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT USED

The measuring instrument for this experiment consists of a SURGE & BURST generator. The generator
requires no special calibration or pre selection. Only the voltages to be applied to the equipment under
test are adjusted.

3. EXPERIMENTAL SETTINGS

To conduct the experiment, an insulated table is placed on a ground plane. A metal platform is placed
on the insulated table which should be connected to the ground plane. The power supply for the
equipment being tested will be drawn directly from the burst generator which is equipped with a 16A
connector on the front panel. Connect the 16A plug on the rear panel to the supply network.

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 School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Digital tester can be used to display the high voltages (Attenuates the voltages by a ratio of 1:1000).
Calibrate the tester as follows

 Connector the TESTER negative to the generator unit ground point

 Connect the TESTER positive to the test point corresponding the voltage to be measured

 Make sure that the surge generator rotator switch is set to OFF

 Set the burst voltage by selecting the rotator switch to the value to be measured i.e. 1KV

 Read the value of the tester. Readjust the value by means of respective trimmer in case the
voltage read is not equal to 1 V

Repeat the process for all the generated voltages

4. MEASUREMENTS

The measurement shall proceed as follows;

 Set the surge discharge voltage

 Press the TEST button on the front panel of the generator

 This operation will actuate a cycle that lasts a few seconds, during this cycle the generator will
create the pulse train which is applied to the equipment to be tested and then disconnect the
test circuit.

Contrary to the graphical results, these BURST immunity tests classify the equipment into three classes
according to their response to the BURST

 Class A: The equipment will keep on working. No abnormality or degradation is found

 Class B: The equipment will keep on working. Slight abnormality or degradation is found and will
not affect the equipment operation

 Class A: The equipment will temporarily be out of working order, but will resume functionality
when strain is resumed

5. LEARNING ACHIEVEMENTS

Mention in your own word what have you learned after completing the lab experiment and analyzing
the results.

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DIPS & VOLTAGE VARIATIONS

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this lab is to observe the behavior of the equipment under DIPS and voltage variations.

A voltage dip is a short-term reduction in, or complete loss of, RMS voltage. It is specified in terms of
duration and retained voltage, usually expressed as the percentage of nominal RMS voltage remaining
at the lowest point during the dip. A voltage dip means that the required energy is not being delivered
to the load and this can have serious consequences depending on the type of load involved. This
phenomenon may cause serious damage through the block or malfunction of the equipment.

2. DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT USED

The measuring instrument for this experiment consists of a DIPS and voltage variations generator. The
generator incorporates a coupling network through which the DIPS and Voltage variations will be
applied to the equipment being tested. DIPS and voltage variations generator requires no special
calibration or pre selection. Only the DIPS and/or Voltage variations to be applied to the equipment
under test are adjusted.

3. EXPERIMENTAL SETTINGS

To conduct the experiment, an insulated table is placed on a ground plane. A metal platform is placed
on the insulated table which should be connected to the ground plane. The power supply for the
equipment being tested will be drawn directly from the DIPS and voltage variations generator which is
equipped with a 16A connector on the front panel. Connect the 16A plug on the rear panel to the supply
network.

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The test is performed by applying the DIPS and/ or Voltage variations, which will take place
automatically after actuating the application cycle.

 Set the AUTO/ MANU switch to MANUAL

 Set the TIME-S rotator switch to the time set for the voltage dips to be obtained

 Set the rotator switch for the desired voltage surge (0%, 70%, 40%) to the chosen value

 Press the START button to start the experiment

If combined DIPS and Voltage variations are not to be tested but only a DIP test, with voltage shift to 0.
The rotator switch referred to in step 3 shall be set to zero

The DIPS and Voltage variations generator also allows to perform special severity tests with supply
voltage generations, by means of a ramp the shifts from 0 to the maximum supply voltage or vice versa.
However the voltage ramp test may damage the equipment under test.

4. MEASUREMENTS

Contrary to the graphical results, these DIPS and/ or Voltage variations tests classify the equipment into
three classes according to their response to these variations

 Class A: The equipment will keep on working. No abnormality or degradation is found

 Class B: The equipment will keep on working. Slight abnormality or degradation is found and will
not affect the equipment operation

 Class A: The equipment will temporarily be out of working order, but will resume functionality
when strain is resumed

5. LEARNING ACHIEVEMENTS

Mention in your own word what have you learned after completing the lab experiment and analyzing
the results.

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