High-Isolation Temperature Measurement at KEMA Labs

KEMA Labs is recognized worldwide as a leader in independent testing, inspection, and certification for the energy sector. Their Chalfont, PA facility is one of the largest high-power test laboratories in North America, conducting high-voltage and high-power short-circuit testing, thermal testing, and impulse testing on a wide variety of equipment ranging from switchgear to transformers or circuit breakers.

When upgrading part of the lab’s testing systems, KEMA required a solution for temperature measurement in high-voltage environments. Reliable thermal monitoring is critical to ensure equipment safety and performance, but the challenge lies in protecting the measurement devices and personnel from the extreme electrical stresses present during testing. It was clear that no shortcuts could be taken in safety for this measurement application, especially as constant high-voltage testing would be done.

Meeting the Isolation Challenge

To address this need, Knick supplied 210A7 temperature transmitter units designed for 1,000 V of continuous isolation. These devices allowed KEMA to safely measure Type T thermocouples used in their thermal testing processes, ensuring accurate results while protecting downstream instrumentation from dangerous voltage levels as well as engineers from potential electrical shock while running tests.

In addition to thermocouple readings, KEMA required reliable solutions for RTDs and standard analog signal isolation. Knick supported these needs with 205A7 temperature transmitters, reading a Pt100 RTD, and P15000 signal conditioners, creating a comprehensive high-isolation measurement system tailored for a high-voltage testing environment.

Flexibility Through Custom Development

During the project, an additional requirement was identified by KEMA: the measurement of 10 Ω copper RTDs. Standard product configurations did not support this sensor type. As a result, Knick developed a custom version of the already highly configurable temperature transmitter series P32100 for RTD measurement. By programming the specific resistance characteristics of the copper RTD into the device, Knick ensured accurate measurement and provided standardized analog outputs, consistent with the other temperature transmitters used in the project. This collaboration highlights Knick’s ability to adapt and deliver customer-specific solutions that integrate seamlessly into complex customer setups.

Reliable Measurements for Demanding Applications

By combining high-isolation temperature transmitters, signal conditioners, and custom engineered devices, Knick delivered a solution that ensures both safety and precision in one of the world’s most demanding electrical testing environments. These devices now play a critical role in KEMA’s thermal testing of high-voltage equipment, supporting the lab’s mission to validate performance and safety under extreme operating conditions for years to come.

For anyone working in high-voltage test environments or applications that demand robust isolation and custom measurement solutions, Knick provides the expertise and flexibility to deliver safe and reliable results.