PHIL Prime Test Bench
Power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) takes hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing one step further by enabling real-time power exchange and precise interaction with electrical transients. The PHIL Prime test bench, engineered as a scalable and reconfigurable system, enables the possibility to address diverse application needs with native channel reconfigurations, parallel power boosting, and multi-DUT support. Backed by over 25 years of experience working with the industry and top research laboratories in the world, we’ve developed the most complete PHIL test bench.
- A single test bench for all your PHIL application needs in research and testing—Microgrid/ DER Emulation, Inverter Testing, and much more
- A versatile, reconfigurable platform that adapts to your evolving innovations
- Packaged solutions designed for complex PHIL applications such as Motor Emulation & Hybrid AC-DC grids
- Bringing to you our PHIL applications & integration expertise to support your custom PHIL application needs
Features
Redefine. Reconfigure. Reimagine PHIL.
Scalable power
Configurable output
Versatile connectivity
Precision performance
Built for safety
Trusted by industry leaders
PHIL
Boost your simulation capabilities with PHIL
Power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) takes HIL testing one step further by enabling realtime power exchange and precise interaction with electrical transients. A power amplifier, directly controlled by the simulation, seamlessly interfaces a DUT (device under test) with the simulation environment. Our PHIL Prime Test Bench is engineered for high-fidelity, power-level HIL simulations, delivering unmatched versatility across diverse applications.
configurations
Configurations and specifications
The OP1400 Prime Test Bench is offered in 4 standard configurations (based on the number of amplification units). Two bus bar add-on options are also offered to enhance the test bench features and capabilities.
Base configurations *others available upon request
| OP1400PR-10 | Amplification units (5 kW) | 1 |
| Available rated power | 1 x 5 kW | |
| OP1400PR-20 | Amplification units (5 kW) | 2 |
| Available rated power | 2 x 5 kW | |
| OP1400PR-30 | Amplification units (5 kW) | 3 |
| Available rated power | 3 x 5 kW | |
| OP1400PR-60 | Amplification units (5 kW) | 6 |
| Available rated power | 6 x 5kW |
PHIL Prime test bench with smart bus bar
120/208 V RMS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OP1400PR-10LP | 3 X 30 A, Banana | |||
| OP1400PR-20LP | 3 X 30 A, Banana | |||
| OP1400PR30LP/HP/ LPHP | 3 X 30 A, Banana / 2 X 100 A, Screw / Both | |||
| OP1400PR60LP/HP/ LPHP | 3 X 30 A, Banana / 2 X 100 A, Screw / Both | |||
Components
All the must-haves for PHIL
The PHIL Prime Test Bench includes meticulously designed components that ensure its robust performance, smooth integration and safe operation to allow for a flawless and intuitive user experience.
The OP8110 Power Amplifier
The OP8110 is a high-fidelity 4-quadrant power amplifier with 100% non-dissipative regeneration, large signal bandwidth of DC to 10kHz, low THD (0.5% at 50/60Hz nominal voltage/current) with a direct low-latency fiber-optic connection to OPAL-RT simulators. The PHIL Prime Test Bench includes up to 3 OP8110 power amplifiers, each containing up to two 5kW amplification units.
LP Bus Bar
• Provides 3 DUT connections at 30A each.
• Effortless parallel operation from 5kW to 30kW.
• Real-Time control of DUT connections via DOUTs or Ethernet (Modbus).
• Real-Time voltage & current measurements of all connected DUTs.
Includes a validated generic microgrid model with detailed DER models and a preconfigured PHIL ready controller, ensuring a streamlined setup from day one.
HP Bus bar
• Provides 2 DUT connections at 100A each.
• Effortless parallel operation from 5kW to 30kW.
• Real-time control of DUT connections via DOUTs or Ethernet (Modbus).
• Real-time voltage & current measurements of all connected DUTs.
Includes a validated generic microgrid model with detailed DER models and a preconfigured PHIL ready controller, ensuring a streamlined setup from day one.
SOFTWARE
Work with our compatible software platforms
Multi-Domain, Simulink®-based HIL
RT-LAB
Fully integrated with MATLAB/Simulink® and best combined with our various toolboxes to bring multi-domain Simscape™ Electrical™ and SimPowerSystems models to real time for fast control development.
EMT Simulation and HIL Testing
HYPERSIM
High-fidelity platform for EMT simulation, SIL and HIL testing, ideal for validating control, protection, grid integration and large-scale stability across all stages of power system development.
Testimonials
Trusted by industry and academia
With the PHIL system, we were able to measure the scale of the inverter needed for impedance measurement. We assessed how noise in power systems could lead to an injection conflict.
Dr. Yue Zhu
Imperial College London
OPAL-RT’s PHIL test bench is invaluable to us. It supports our work on microgrid cybersecurity, grid-tied EVs, V2G, and DER energy management. Its remote controllability allows researchers located here and beyond to access it.
Prof. Kamal Al-Haddad
ÉTS – École de technologie supérieure
PHIL has allowed us to reduce the gap between simulations and real-world performance. We have validated DER models, studied resonance phenomena, and tested advanced grid-forming controls with synthetic inertia, all without relying on a fixed grid.
Dr. Renato Machado Monaro
The Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation
With the increasing proportion of inverters, OPAL-RT’s PHIL Test Bench really helps TPC verify the characteristics of inverters working in Taiwan power systems and validate the microgrid control algorithm applying to the offshore island microgrids. PHIL enables more in-depth analysis of future changes in power systems.
Taiwan Power Company
With PHIL simulation, we significantly reduced the cost and time associated with prototyping electrical machines, as we didn’t have to rely on a physical machine prototype. This accelerated our development process and allowed for deeper and more flexible lab validation.
Prof. Arun Rahul
Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad
FAQ
Find the answers to your questions
What is the PHIL Prime Test Bench designed for?
The PHIL Prime Test Bench is designed for power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) applications, enabling engineers to test power components and systems in real time under realistic operating conditions with scalable power amplification.
What power configurations are available with the PHIL Prime Test Bench?
The PHIL Prime Test Bench is offered in standard configurations ranging from 1 x 5 kW to 6 x 5 kW amplification units, providing up to 30 kW of available rated power. Other configurations are available upon request to suit project requirements. Contact us to learn more.
How scalable is the PHIL Prime Test Bench for different testing needs?
The modular design of the PHIL Prime Test Bench allows users to start with a smaller 5 kW setup and scale up to higher power levels by adding amplification units. This makes it adaptable to both small-scale lab environments and more demanding industrial test benches.
Who should consider using the PHIL Prime Test Bench?
The PHIL Prime Test Bench is ideal for power electronics and power systems engineers, researchers, and lab managers working on renewable integration, microgrid validation, or advanced converter testing who need reliable and flexible PHIL platforms.
How does the PHIL Prime Test Bench integrate with OPAL-RT’s simulation ecosystem?
The PHIL Prime Test Bench seamlessly integrates with OPAL-RT’s real-time simulators, enabling end-to-end PHIL testing workflows. This provides engineers with a powerful environment to validate control systems, grid interaction, and power hardware safely and efficiently. The test bench enables engineers to design and implement complex PHIL systems with ease.
How many physical devices can I connect simultaneously to the PHIL Prime Test Bench?
The smart bars in the PHIL Prime Test Bench enable the possibility to simultaneously connect multiple physical devices. This is the key USP of the PHIL Prime bench against other competitive solutions. With the LP variant of the smart bus bar, up to 3 physical devices can be connected to the PHIL Prime Test Bench. With the HP variant of the smart bus bar, up to 2 physical devices can be connected to the PHIL Prime Test Bench.
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