Summary

In a joint validation effort, Elseta and Greenwood Power (GWP) successfully demonstrated the capabilities of the IOMod Voltage Sensor Amplifier (VSA). The collaboration confirmed that the IOMod VSA allows a single voltage sensor set to drive multiple monitoring and protection devices simultaneously while maintaining IEC 61869-11 Class 0.5 accuracy. This solution significantly streamlines grid infrastructure by eliminating the need for redundant sensors or multiple measurement techniques and the need for reading corrections.

The Challenge: Signal Degradation in Multi-Device Architectures

Modern smart grids require precise data for various applications: protection relays, Fault Passage Indicators (FPI), and metering units. Typically, each of these devices has distinct input impedance characteristics.

When a single low-power voltage sensor attempts to feed multiple instruments directly, the combined burden often leads to:

Signal Distortion: Impedance mismatches cause voltage drops and phase shifts.
Reduced Accuracy: Measurements drift outside of acceptable tolerance levels.
Complex Infrastructure: Utilities are forced to install dedicated sensors for each device, increasing hardware costs and wiring complexity.

Greenwood Power required a solution that could buffer their high-precision sensors, allowing them to interface with multiple devices (such as IOMod Meter, IOMod 4Cs4Vs and IOMod FPI) without compromising signal integrity.

The Solution: IOMod VSA as a Burden Converter

The Elseta IOMod VSA serves as a precision interface between the raw sensor output and downstream instrumentation. Acting as a unity-gain burden converter, it isolates the sensor from the load variations of connected devices.

Key Technical Achievements:

Impedance Conditioning: The VSA presents a stable, optimized load to the Greenwood Power sensors, ensuring they operate within their ideal design parameters.
Signal Replication: It delivers a calibrated output capable of driving parallel loads (Protection, Monitoring, and FPI) without requiring amplitude or phase correction.
Seamless Integration: The amplifier was fine-tuned to align perfectly with GWP’s sensor characteristics, creating a „plug-and-play” ecosystem with no need of software configuration.

Validation & Results

Rigorous testing conducted by Greenwood Power confirmed the robustness of the combined solution. The tests verified that the IOMod VSA:

Maintained Accuracy: Achieved a compound error within accuracy class 0.5 (according to IEC 61869-11).
Ensured Stability: Provided consistent output impedance per channel, regardless of the connected downstream devices.
Eliminated Recalibration: Outputs were immediately compatible with protection and measurement systems, removing the need for device-specific hardware adjustments.

Key Benefits for Utilities & Integrators

1-to-N Scalability: A single voltage sensor per phase can now reliably serve protection, monitoring, and fault indication equipment simultaneously.
Standard-Compliant Precision: Guarantees IEC 61869-11 Class 0.5 performance, ensuring data reliability for critical grid operations.
Simplified Architecture: Reduces the physical footprint and wiring complexity by removing the need for multiple sensors or complex signal correction hardware.
Future-Proof Flexibility: Acts as a universal interface, allowing utilities to add or change measurement devices without replacing primary sensors.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Elseta and Greenwood Power validates the IOMod VSA as a critical enabler for modern grid automation. By solving the impedance matching challenge, this solution allows utilities to build more efficient, accurate, and scalable measurement systems with fewer physical assets.

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