1. Choosing an Appropriate Location
1.1. Structural Requirements
The OP14xx test benches are fairly heavy sets of equipment (up to 600 kg for the heaviest models when incorporating optional equipment), thus care should be taken when choosing the installation location for the test bench. OPAL-RT highly recommends that the building structure where the bench will be sitting be designed to support at least one metric ton (1000 kg) of weight not to put stress on the building.
1.2. Available Space
The final location for the OP14xx test bench should take into account the dimensions of the chassis (shown on the image to the left).
Please note that the two side panels and the rear panel are hinged doors that may need to be opened from time to time to reconfigure the wiring or for maintenance reasons. Although it is not necessary to provide permanent clearance for the side and rear doors, it is recommended to at least confirm that there is enough space and enough loose wiring to roll the chassis in order to gain access to the doors.
Early versions of the OP1400 models had a reduced height of 1270 mm (50").
1.3. Environmental Conditions
OPAL-RT requires that the following environmental conditions be met at the installation site of the OP14xx test bench:
Parameter | Ideal | Mandatory |
---|---|---|
Site location | Inside a temperature controlled laboratory (or equivalent) | Indoors |
Temperature | Regulated between 20°C and 30°C | Between 5°C and 40°C |
Site altitude | No more than 2000 m | No more than 2000 m |
Relative humidity | Regulated to 50% RH or less | Maximum 80% RH up to 31°C decreasing linearly to 50% RH at 40°C |
Pollution | IEC Pollution Degree 2 (or better) | IEC Pollution Degree 2 (or better) |
1.4. Availability of Electrical Connections
1.4.1. EU models
• Two dedicated circuits for the monophasic power bars (220Vac 10A), except for OP1400-10 and OP1400-20 which have only one power bar.
• One four wire (3 phase + protective earth) cable to connect to the terminal block inside the test bench. This cable must be connected to a 380/400/415 Vac 3 phase circuit. Refer to 3 Phase AC Mains Supply Line to the PDU (Power Delivery Unit) for the circuit dimensioning requirements.
1.4.2. North American models
• Two dedicated circuits for the monophasic power bars (120Vac 15A), except for OP1400-10 and OP1400-20 which have only one power bar.
• One four wire (3 phase + protective earth) cable to connect to the terminal block inside the test bench. This cable must be connected to a 480 Vac 3 phase circuit. Refer to 3 Phase AC Mains Supply Line to the PDU for the circuit dimensioning requirements.
Please note that it is theoretically possible to have a negative net power flow (energy fed back to the grid) on the 3 phase AC power line. This could be done using, for example, a PV system or a small wind turbine on a DER input of an OP14xx test bench. The user should note that not all electricity distribution companies will allow customers to feed energy to the grid and should contact their local electricity distributor before attempting to do so.
Please also note that OP14x0-10 and OP14x0-20 models will consume steady state unbalanced currents on its 3 phase AC input, which could lead to penalties being imposed to the user by the local electricity distributor.
Contact your local OPAL-RT sales representative for more information if required.
2. Unpacking
This equipment has been packaged and shipped in secure conditions. However, when unpacking, check that the equipment has not been damaged during transportation.
If there is obvious damage or any signs of knocks which have occurred during transit, please inform OPAL-RT Technologies immediately. In this case, the equipment should not be powered ON before contacting OPAL-RT and getting instructions on how to proceed.
Contact Technical Support: https://www.opal-rt.com/contact-technical-support/
2.1. OP14xx Test Bench Crate
The test bench cabinet and included components will be received in a crate. The following procedure must be executed in order to safely unpack the test bench: Uncrating a Large OPAL-RT Hardware Product.
Once the crate has been unassembled, locate the following items:
Item | Description | Part Number | Image | Qty |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fiber Optic Transmitters, Receivers SFP | Fiber Optic Transceiver Module 4.25GBd 850nm 3.3V for installation on OPAL-RT simulators to interface through SFP interface | T00-0315 | 1 for each included OP8110 unit | |
Fiber optic cable | Multimode Dplx Fiber Cable 62.5/125 LC-LC 2M to connect OPAL-RT simulators to OP8110 through SFP interface | T00-0797 | 1 for each included OP8110 unit | |
Ethernet cable | CAT6 (500 MHz) UTP Network Cable - Blue 10FT | T00-0817 | 1 for each included OP8110 unit | |
Optical synchronization cable | POF Ind. Plastic Optical Fiber Patch Cords 0.65M | T00-6615 | OP14x0-10: 0 OP14x0-20: 1 OP14x0-30: 1 OP14x0-60: 2 | |
Mini-USB cable | Cable USB A - Mini B Black R/A 3FT | T00-0805 | 1 | |
2m banana cable harness | SLK425-E/N 4 mm safety test lead 200 cm 4 cable harness (Red, Black, Blue and White) | 113-1371 | OP1400-10: 2 OP1400-20: 4 OP1400-30: 6 OP1400-40: 8 OP1400-60: 12 OP1420 models: 4 | |
25 cm white banana cable | SKL425-E/N 4 mm safety test lead 25 cm White | T00-7535 (or T00-8896) | OP14x0-10: 3 OP14x0-20: 6 OP14x0-30: 9 OP1400-60: 18 | |
VFEM cables | Remote Sense cables used for improving the Current Control mode operation. | 113-1427 | 2 sets for each OP8110-6 1 set for each OP8110-3 | |
ITECH Synch cable | On/Off synchronization cable | 113-1588 | These cables are shipped with the ITECH connectors attached. The number of cables change depending on the bench configuration:
| |
Additional components for OP1400-60 with an OP1450 | ||||
VFEM cable | VFEM_sensor_Banana_80inch | 113-1428 | 2 sets | |
VFEM cable | VFEM_sensor_Cosse_120inch | 113-1429 | 2 sets | |
OP1450 power cable | OP1450 power cable set to client system | 113-1383 | 1 set | |
OP1450 jumper cable | OP1450 jumper cable set | 113-1384 | 1 set | |
50 cm banana cable set | SLK425-E/N 4 mm safety test lead 50 cm 4 cable harness (Red, Black, Blue and White) | 113-1377 | 6 sets | |
50 cm single banana cable red | SKL425-E/N 4 mm Safety Test Lead 50 cm Red | T00-7239 | 6 | |
50 cm single banana cable black | SKL425-E/N 4 mm Safety Test Lead 50 cm Black | T00-7240 | 6 | |
ITECH fiber optic cable | ITECH Optical fiber cable for IT6000 and IT8000 | T00-8856 (IT-E168) | 3 | |
External bus bar | Copper bus bar for shorting | 110-3261 | 1 | |
Grounding cable | Grounding cable (60inch) to shorting bus bar - 8AWG | T00-6657 | 1 |
Ensure that all items are present and undamaged.
2.2. Separately Packaged Equipment
In order to minimize the risk associated with shipping and handling, the following components are removed from the test bench before shipping and are packaged separately:
OP8110 PHIL 4Q Power Amplifier
The following quantities of each item should be expected depending on the purchased test bench model:
OP14xx-10 models | OP14xx-20 models | OP14xx-30 models | OP1400-40 | OP14xx-60 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
OP8110-3 | 1 | - | 1 | - | - |
OP8110-6 | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
IT6006C-500-30 | 1 | - | 3 | 4 | - |
IT6012C-500-60 | - | 1 | - | - | 3 |
Ensure that all these components have been received. Once unpacked, ensure that all items are undamaged.
3. Installation Procedure - Physical Assembly
There are two sections to the installation procedure: physically assembling the rack and the making the electrical connections. In the physical assembly, the OP8110 amplifiers and I-Tech DC power supplies are mounted on the chassis, and the red, PDU disconnector switch is installed. After the assembly is complete, the electrical connections between the chassis' components are made.
3.1. Physical Assembly - Mounting the DC Power supplies
The DC power supplies must be stacked inside the chassis and screwed onto the rails. Please follow the steps below:
1. Find the appropriate height to mount the DC power supply. For your particular OP14xx bench please refer to the diagrams below, the sections indicated with the red rectangles are where the DC power supplies ought to be placed. The mounting screws for the power supply unit(s) can be found on the chassis side rails at this height.
2. Remove the screws from the chassis side rails, reserve them for step 4.
3. Insert the power supplies in their appropriate locations, stacking the bottommost one the pre-installed support brackets inside the chassis and stacking the remaining supplies (if any) on top of another.
4. Install the screws on the side rails to fix the power supply unit(s) in place.
OP1400-10 | OP1400-20 | OP1400-30 | OP1400-40 | OP1400-60 |
---|---|---|---|---|
OP1420-10 | OP1420-20 | OP1420-30 | ||
3.2. Physical Assembly - Mounting the OP8110 Amplifiers
The cabinet is configured with removable slides (as displayed bellow) to allow easy manipulation of the amplifiers. These slides must be reinstalled on the amplifier units in order to reassemble the units on the cabinet. The following steps must be executed:
1. Locate the installation height of the amplifier units using the diagrams below (OP8110-6 amplifiers must be placed on top of OP8110-3 amplifiers if both models are present). The slides are preinstalled on the chassis.
2. Disassemble the inner portion of the slides by sliding them out and by pushing the lock button, reserve them for step 4.
3. Detach the mounting screws from the both sides of the amplifier, reserve them for step 4.
4. Fix the inner rail of the slides onto the amplifiers using the mounting screws.
5. One amplifier at a time, carefully align the amplifier with the mating slides on the chassis. Once the slides are properly aligned, slide the amplifier into the chassis, pushing on the lock buttons if necessary.
6. Mount the amplifiers to the chassis side rails using the screws that are already present on the side rails.
Slides for OP8110 mounting
Always install the amplifier units one at a time, never having more than one unit hanging on its slides. Failure to do so could cause tilting of the cabinet which could result in serious injury.
OP1400-10 | OP1400-20 | OP1400-30 | OP1400-40 | OP1400-60 |
---|---|---|---|---|
OP1420-10 | OP1420-20 | OP1420-30 | ||
3.3. Installing the PDU disconnector switch cap and knob
The disconnector switch knob of the Power Distribution Unit (or PDU) must be reinstalled. The PDU is located on the rear face of the cabinet. The knob must simply be aligned with the existing disconnector switch holes as in the images below. Ensure the alignement of the "ON" and "OFF" labels are as in the final image. Finally, use a flathead screwdriver to fix the switch into place.
Location of the disconnector switch holes on the PDU | Final alignment of disconnector switch knob | Screw the knob to secure it into place |
4. Installation Procedure - Electrical Wiring
The electrical installation of the OP14xx products must be performed by qualified personnel only.
The steps for wiring the cabinet are fairly straightforward, the main connections between the test-bench components will be done in the same order as the power flows through the OP1400 test-bench. But before the cabinet is wired the Three-Phase AC Mains to the PDU must be installed. Thus, the steps are as follows:
Installation of the Three-Phase Main, and connection to the PDU
Connection from the Three-Phase Main to the PDU
PDU → I-tech DC power supplies
I-tech DC power supplies → OP8110 Amplifiers
Auxiliary AC Supply Lines for the OP8110 Amplifiers
Grounding the OP8110 Amplifiers
Synchronization cables between the Amplifiers
Cable Routing
4.1. Three-Phase AC Main Supply to the PDU
The electrical installation of the 3 phase AC mains supply line must be performed by qualified personnel only (Certified Electrician or Lab Technician contracted by the customer) and must be in accordance with local electrical codes which typically include (but is not necessarily limited to) requirements such as:
Installation of a certified overcurrent protection device (circuit breaker or fuse) on the AC mains line supplying the equipment
Dimensioning the electrical wiring and overcurrent protection device with a 25% margin over the maximum specified current of the equipment
Installation, on the AC mains line supplying the equipment, of a clearly identified physical disconnect means (such as a disconnect switch or a circuit breaker) within reach of the equipment
Failure to do so could result in risks of fire or electric shock.
Hazardous voltage levels may be present inside the PDU unit. The supply lines (including monophasic power bars) must be completely disconnected before opening the PDU door.
A 4 wire (3 line conductors + 1 protective earth conductor) cable must be connected inside the PDU box of the test bench. The circuit must provide the following voltage levels and frequency:
European models | North-American models | |
---|---|---|
Line to line voltage (RMS) | 380 V / 400 V / 415 V | 480 V |
Frequency | 47 Hz to 63 Hz |
The circuit must be dimensioned for the following maximum load current:
Maximum line current (RMS) | ||
---|---|---|
OP140xx model | European version | North-American version |
OP1400-10* | 17.5 A | 14 A |
OP1400-20* | 30 A | 24 A |
OP1400-30 | 30 A | 24 A |
OP1400-40* | 48 A | 38 A |
OP1400-60 | 60 A | 48 A |
OP1420-10* | 17.5 A | 14 A |
OP1420-20* | 30 A | 24 A |
OP1420-30 | 30 A | 24 A |
*Phase currents are unbalanced for these models, worst line current is thus specified
Refer to the ratings label on the equipment in case of doubt.
4.2. PDU AC supply to the DC Power Supplies
The AC supply cables must be screwed on the AC input terminals of all DC power supplies. Locate the AC supply cables inside the chassis which have the following appearance:
AC electrical connections from the PDU
Install them on the following locations on the DC power supplies. Be sure to respect the color schemes as in the images (actual wire colors may vary from image). For OP14x0-30 and OP14x0-60 models, ensure that the AC phases are properly interleaved between the 3 power supplies (as in the image) in order to balance out the currents of the three phases:
OP14x0-10/20 models | OP14x0-30/60 models |
---|---|
The AC supply lines carry high current, the connections must be properly tightened to avoid resistive connections that could overheat.
Also, make sure to reinstall the plastic covers on top of the connections to provide protection against electric shock:
4.3. DC Supply Connection between the DC Power Supplies and OP8110 Amplifiers.
Now that the PDU has been connected to the DC power supplies, it is now necessary to connect the high power cables between the DC power supplies and the amplifiers. The #113-1277 cable is used to connect these two components. For the DC power supplies the cable uses ring connectors which will be screwed onto the DC terminals. The opposite end of the cable will interface with OP8110 amplifiers via banana plugs. Locate the DC-end of the DC supply cables inside the chassis, they have the following appearance:
Install the DC-end of the 113-1277 cable on the DC power supply terminals, the terminals are indicated by the red circles in the images below. Be sure to not invert the polarity of the cables; red must be on right side, black on left side.
For OP14x0-30 and OP14x0-60 models, ensure that the labels on the DC cables match with the intended numbering scheme, note that the number scheme for some newer benches may be different. If you need clarification please contact OPAL-RT support.
OP14x0-10/20 models | OP14x0-30/60 models Note: for OP14x0-60 models, there are two DC cables per DC power supply |
---|---|
Use a 5mm Allen key to tighten the DC connections.
The DC supply lines carry high current, the connections must be properly tightened to avoid resistive connections that could overheat.
Newer power supply models have electrode protection cases as indicated below:
4.4. DC Supply connection to the OP8110 Amplifiers
After securing the DC supply cable to the DC power supplies, each OP8110 group (OP8110-3 has 1 group, OP8110-6 has 2 groups) must have its dedicated DC supply lines connected. Locate the DC supply lines inside the chassis which have the following appearance:
Install them on the following locations on the OP8110 amplifiers. Be sure to not invert the polarity of the cables (red must be on left side, black on right side). For OP14x0-30 and OP14x0-60 models, ensure that the labels on the DC cables match with the intended numbering scheme. The numbering scheme may be different on newer PHIL test-benches:
OP14x0-10 models | OP14x0-20 models |
---|---|
OP14x0-30 models | OP14x0-60 models |
4.5. Auxiliary Supply Lines on the OP8110 Amplifiers
Each OP8110 group (OP8110-3 has 1 group, OP8110-6 has 2 groups) must have its dedicated Auxiliary supply cable connected. Locate the auxiliary supply cables inside the chassis which have the following appearance:
Install them on the following locations on the OP8110 amplifiers:
OP8110-3 Auxiliary supply connection | OP8110-6 Auxiliary supply connections |
---|---|
Please be careful and align the connectors and auxiliary terminal receptors, if you attempt to force the connection, the amplifier will be severely damaged and will require repair.
4.6. Grounding of OP8110 4Q Amplifiers
Each OP8110 unit has a dedicated grounding cable that must be connected to the ground terminal on the rear side of the unit. Locate the ground cables which have the following appearance:
Install them on the following locations on the OP8110 amplifiers:
OP8110-3 Ground terminal | OP8110-6 Ground terminal |
---|---|
4.7. Synchronization cables on the OP8110 Amplifiers
The OP14x0-30 and OP14x0-60 test benches come with optical synchronization cables that must be installed on the rear face of the OP8110 units:
Optical synchronization cable | Synchronization connectors on OP8110 (rear face) |
The optical synchronization cables must be installed the following manner:
OP14x0-30 models | OP14x0-60 models |
---|---|
The fiber optic synchronization cables cannot be flexed or folded. If they are too long and must be wrapped, the user should gently wrap them in a circle and tie them without applying excessive pressure.
Additionally, the OP8110's synchronization cables should neither be connected nor removed during amplifier operation.
Doing so may result in both damage to the amplifier and voiding of the warranty.
OP14x0-10 and OP14x0-20 models don't need synchronization cables since they only have one OP8110 unit.
4.8. Cable Routing
The customer power cable must be routed through the rear door of the OP14xx chassis.
It must then be routed inside the PDU through the pre-installed cable gland.
4.9. PDU Electrical Schematic
4.9.1. PDU Connections with the Three-Phase AC Main
The OP1400/1420 test bench may be equipped with one of the following PDU models depending on manufacturing date and test bench power: