Power systems that are highly loaded, especially by a stochastic supply of renewables and the presence of storages, require dynamic measurements for their optimal control. Phasor measurement units (PMUs) can be used to capture electrical parameters of a power system. Standards on the PMU dynamic performance have been modified to incorporate their new dynamic mode of operation. This paper examines the PMU dynamic performance and proposes essential algorithms for measurement accuracy verification. Measurements of dynamic input signals, which vary in amplitude or frequency, were taken during automated tests of two PMUs. The test results are presented and expounded with further recommendation for the performance requirements. This paper also presents and examines applied testing procedures with relevance to the specifications of the IEEE Standard for Synchrophasor C37.118.1™-2011 and its amendment C37.118.1a™-2014.

The electrical network is a man-made complex network that makes it difficult to monitor and control the power system with traditional monitoring devices. Traditional devices have some limitations in real-time synchronization monitoring which leads to unwanted behavior and causes new challenges in the operation and control of the power systems. A Phasor measurement unit (PMU) is an advanced metering device that provides an accurate real-time and synchronized measurement of the voltage and current waveforms of the buses in which the PMU devices are directly connected in the grid station. The device is connected to the busbars of the power grid in the electrical distribution and transmission systems and provides time-synchronized measurement with the help of the Global Positioning System (GPS). However, the implementation and maintenance cost of the device is not bearable for the electrical utilities. Therefore, in recent work, many optimization approaches have been developed to overcome optimal placement of PMU problems to reduce the overall cost by providing complete electrical network observability with a minimal number of PMUs. This research paper reviews the importance of PMU for the modern electrical power system, the architecture of PMU, the differences between PMU, micro-PMU, SCADA, and smart grid (SG) relation with PMU, the sinusoidal waveform, and its phasor representation, and finally a list of PMU applications. The applications of PMU are widely involved in the operation of power systems ranging from power system control and monitor, distribution grid control, load shedding control and analyses, and state estimation which shows the importance of PMU for the modern world.