The challenges and opportunities of the new IEC 62586 standards on power quality instrument type tests

IEC 62586 was just released as the standard for functional and type test on power quality instruments. Together with the existing IEC61000-4-30 series standards, IEC 62586 completes the testing needs on development and calibration over power quality related devices. While the specified tests in this new standard could be challenging in terms of signal generation, the benefits to the power quality meter and protection relay industries are obvious. The purpose of this study is to share our understandings and experiences on the new IEC 62586 standards with a focus on the challenges and opportunities which the new IEC standards bring to the industry and utilities. At the end of our paper, the suggested methods of automatic testing is elaborated as well.