Automated Test Setup for Capacitive Power Transfer Coupler Impedance Measurements

Capacitive power transfer is an emerging technology of which some parameters have not yet been sufficiently investigated. This article proposes an automated test setup to experimentally determine the key parameters, such as capacitance and leakage resistance, of a capacitive power transfer coupler. Using the results, the potential of capacitive power transfer in terms of, for instance, transferable power for a given distance, are revealed and theoretic models can be validated. An exemplary experiment shows that 5 mm plexiglass has a seven times greater leakage resistance than a 5 mm air gap.