ADCs Simplify Power-Line-Monitoring System Design for Substation Control

“ADI’s new simultaneous-sampling ADCs provide the resolution and performance needed for next-generation power-line-monitoring system designs that ensure the reliable delivery of electricity to millions of people in nearly all corners of the world,” said Leo McHugh, product line director, precision signal processing, Analog Devices. “ADI offers a broad range of semiconductor solutions that solve design challenges in every part of the energy monitoring system, ranging from the electricity meter to the substation.”

Also available in six- or four-channel options, ADI’s 16-bit, eight-channel AD7606 and 14-bit, eight-channel AD7607 simultaneous-sampling ADCs achieve SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) performance of 90 dB. The optional oversampling mode further improves SNR performance, reduces code spread, and enhances anti-alias rejection. Multi-channel integration facilitates three-phase I&V (current and voltage) measurement and neutral monitoring in substation equipment. This enables power-line monitoring systems to observe and manage abnormal events occurring on a power grid, such as electrical faults or short circuits. The AD7606 and AD7607 simultaneous-sampling ADCs operate on a 5-V analogue supply, 1.8-V to 5-V logic supply, and feature a front-end, anti-alias filter with high input impedance and input clamp to ±16.5-V. In addition, an internal reference and a reduced decoupling capacitor requirement provide a higher level of integration compared to alternative solutions. The new devices offer true bipolar analogue input ranges of ±5 V and ±10 V that allow for the preservation of phase information while sampling bipolar voltages and currents over a wide dynamic range.