Abstract This paper introduces a technique for ‘pre-compliance’ testing of Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) against the dynamic requirements of the IEEE C37.118.1-2014 standard, which include dynamic and steady-state test scenarios. The tests described are a necessary, but not complete, requirement for passing the IEEE standard and quickly highlight shortcomings in PMU operation during dynamic conditions. The pre-compliance test presented in this paper only requires typical relay test equipment, with little requirement for significant temporal accuracy when initiating waveform test files. The compliance test is intended to allow PMU owners to assess a device’s performance before considering its use in monitoring dynamic performance. Failure of these tests can indicate the need to recalibrate or replace the PMU or find another vendor. The described method is applied to the voltage inputs of a typical commercial PMU and the results presented. The process for the creation of test waveforms is described, along with the data analysis technique used. The test waveforms and analysis source code are made available under open source licenses.