Yokogawa Unveils WT1500 Precision Power Analyzer for High-Voltage EV Applications
Engineering teams working on high-voltage electrification and grid-scale power generation now have access to expanded test capabilities asYokogawaTest & Measurement Corporation officially releases its WT1500 Precision Power Analyzer. Launched on August 19 as the latest extension of the long-standing WT series, the instrument introduces 2000 V DC direct input measurement alongside a space-saving 2U footprint. Built specifically to eliminate auxiliary high-voltage attenuation hardware in electric vehicle (xEV) powertrain validation and renewable energy inverter testing, the device streamlines measurement workflows for next-generation power electronics architectures.
Historically, capturing voltage dynamics above 1500 V required external voltage dividers or specialized potential transformers. These auxiliary devices added physical complexity to rack setups while introducing potential phase errors and attenuation inaccuracies. The WT1500 addresses this operational bottleneck by offering high-voltage elements capable of measuring up to 2000 V DC directly at 300 kHz, making it well-suited for high-capacity energy storage systems (ESS) and power conversion systems (PCS). Simultaneously, engineers evaluating fast-switching silicon carbide (SiC) or gallium nitride (GaN) motor drives can configure the system with wide-bandwidth elements capable of handling 1000 V at up to 2 MHz, ensuring accurate capture of complex pulse-width modulation (PWM) waveforms.
Beyond raw power metrics, modern traction motor validation requires precise alignment between electrical power consumption and mechanical shaft feedback. The WT1500 integrates native inputs for both incremental encoders and resolver signals directly into the chassis, removing the legacy requirement of acquiring resolver data on standalone instruments and manually synchronizing time-stamps post-test. Coupled with IEEE 1588 time synchronization, direct CAN/CAN FD bus data streaming, and low-latency UDP communication, test cell engineers can pipe real-time power metrics straight into automated test bench software.
For large-scale industrial test setups requiring extensive channel counts, up to five WT1500 units can be synchronized to deliver a cohesive 20-channel power analysis rig managed by a single master controller. Plant engineers and research facilities integrating advanced analytical equipment often rely on robust distributed control components likeYokogawa automation systemsto maintain plant-wide connectivity. By providing four dedicated current sensor power terminals alongside specialized BNC and D-sub adapter interfaces, the WT1500 easily pairs with penetration-type and split-core current transducers, establishing a highly scalable foundation for high-voltage testing.
Written by Nathan Cross, a principal test systems engineer with 13 years of experience in power conversion analytics, electric powertrain validation, and industrial data acquisition.