SL1200A Grid Integration and Compliance Test Automation Suite

The SL1200A Grid Integration and Compliance Test Automation Suite is a collection of test automation software packages, or “plugins,” for Keysight’s KS8400B PathWave Test Automation Platform (TAP). The suite is designed to support grid integration and compliance testing for distributed energy resources (DERs) and grid-connected systems. The following plugins are available within the SL1200A suite: 

• SL1220A AC / Grid Test Sequencing Plugin 
• SL1221A PHIL-based Anti-Islanding Compliance Test Automation Software 
• SL1222A Automated IEEE 1547 Electric Type Test – Frequency / Voltage Disturbance 
• SL1241A SunSpec Modbus DER Communications Library for IEEE 1547 
• SL1282A Automated Communications for SL1222A 

The SL1220A enables advanced test sequences to be created by the user and executed on the SL1200A Series Regenerative AC Emulators. Users can develop custom, proprietary test sequences or implement standardized test procedures based on relevant grid compliance standards. 

The SL1221A enables fast, automated IEEE 1547.1-2020 anti-islanding testing without requiring external RLC loads, relays, DAQs, or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulators. It leverages the SL1200A Grid Emulator’s built-in Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL) technology, combined with a patent-pending resonant RLC autotuning algorithm that dynamically transitions from grid-emulator operation to RLC-load operation. The autotuning algorithm identifies the resonant RLC load in seconds, eliminating the need for dedicated RLC hardware and reducing test times from weeks to hours. 

The SL1222A automates IEEE 1547.1-2020 electrical type tests focused on frequency and voltage disturbance conditions. It provides fully automated execution of key Clause 5 test cases, including over/under voltage trip, over/under frequency trip, voltage and frequency ride-through (LVRT/HVRT, LFRT/HFRT), rate of change of frequency (ROCOF), voltage phase-angle change ride-through (PCRT), enter service, and nameplate verification. The software delivers fully automated, standard-adherent test procedures with built-in data analysis and plotting, significantly reducing manual effort and improving repeatability. 

The SL1241A provides a SunSpec Modbus DER communications library for IEEE 1547 interoperability and communications testing. It enables standardized read and write communication with the device under test (DUT), including reading nameplate and status data, configuring grid support mode parameters, and setting trip limits. The library serves as the communications foundation for IEEE 1547 Clause 6 workflows and allows users to build custom communication sequences as part of automated or user-defined test procedures. 

The SL1282A adds automation to the communications required during SL1222A testing. Without SL1282A, users must manually implement or script communication with the equipment under test; with SL1282A, these communications are automated within the disturbance test workflows, improving efficiency and reducing setup complexity. SL1282A requires both SL1222A and a communications library such as SL1241A.  

Each SL1200A plugin is licensed separately. A license for KS8400B PathWave Test Automation Platform (TAP) is required to use any SL1200A plugin. A free trial of the SL1220A is available at the link below. For trials of other plugins, please contact Keysight.