Power Quality Analyzer Question .....

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SC1959

SC1959

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Alabama
I have put it off for a while but i am going to have to break down and buy a power quality meter/analyzer. Three phase with at least 500a clamp-ons to start. I have been studying and there is no such thing as a inexpensive one that i can find.

So far this model looks best in price and what it comes with. Any thoughts / experiences would be deeply appreciated.

Hioki - 319701500PRO
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/hioki/poweranalysis/3197.htm
and
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/hioki/pdf/3197.pdf

for what you get its about 1/3rd the price of a fluke with the same accessories.

Thanks
 
There is a price for "user friendly" data loggers. Knowing that when you finish the setup and are leaving the job, that the information you need "IS" being recorded. And figure,over a period of time, you will be buying additional equipment to cover all the different sized systems you will encounter--CT's from 5 amps to 4000 amps. And in our case, added analizers which you want the C.T's to be interchangable. This being the case, you don't want to change manufacturers mid-stream! Spend the extra money up front for these features--set up a rental rate which will return your money invested in your data recorders.
 
Normally, I use a digital recording oscilloscope and download the recorded waveforms to my PC. Up to about 500V, the voltage is normally measured directly (matched 4kV probes), and for current I use a 1000:1 Fluke clip-on CT with a 10 ohm burden resistor. I've set up an Excel model to do harmonic analysis, peaks, maximum dv/dt etc.
The arrangement also allows me to look at the waveforms in real time. I like having the ability to do that because you can sometimes spot glitches or particular distortion patterns that immediately indicate the source of problems.
More than one way to skin a cat, I guess......
 
SC1959 said:
I have put it off for a while but i am going to have to break down and buy a power quality meter/analyzer. Three phase with at least 500a clamp-ons to start. I have been studying and there is no such thing as a inexpensive one that i can find.

So far this model looks best in price and what it comes with. Any thoughts / experiences would be deeply appreciated.

Hioki - 319701500PRO
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/hioki/poweranalysis/3197.htm
and
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/hioki/pdf/3197.pdf

for what you get its about 1/3rd the price of a fluke with the same accessories.

Thanks
Click to expand...

That dang bug racing around sure is a distraction. Briefly wonder how that thing gets in there every time.
 
I have a couple of metrosonics units with CT's to 4000 amps too!! Another thing you need to consider when setting these units up on jobsites is security. I made up a form placing the responsibility for the data recorders and associated equipment on the customer's nickle. I got the wording off a rental agreement found on the backside of a rental invoice. Don't know if it was actually legal, but it worked for me. Most of the time when installing data loggers you will have something open or exposed which requires roping off the area. Most of the time it is in an electrical or mechanical room which is lockable, but still requires setting up protection from unqualified persons. Sometimes you might have other electrical contractors with access to these rooms. After we had our equipment set and recording, and the area safely secured, we would photograph the area and then have the customer sign off on the responsibility form. We never had any problems. Many times the customer would have the locksets changed during the study period. Just putting them on notice helps keep even their own curious building engineers from pushing buttons and possible screwing up a study.

We also kept records of all data reports and for some reason were called many times due to customers loosing their reports, and they are are useful sometimes for future problems. It's easy to set up and takes very little room.
 
charlietuna said:
Another thing you need to consider when setting these units up on jobsites is security.
Click to expand...

I have never lost a recorder in 27 years, but lost a few cases sitting on top of the gear where the recorder was connected.

Had people unplug them, one time from a job 60 miles away 30 day recording, an electrician did not know what this device was so he unplugged it, of 30 days we had 1 hour 35 minutes of data.

DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE signs go a long way and I usually conceal the recorder when possible.


BUT, I would like to see a copy of the rental form if you are offering it.
 
Yes Sir.
I have a older chessel 10 channel chart recorder that works great.. But it really not that portable or super quik to setup. the paper has hit the roof on price also and hard to find. Im thinking one of the these new small units could go about anywhere fairly easily. Thanks for the replys..
 
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charlietuna said:
There is a price for "user friendly" data loggers. Knowing that when you finish the setup and are leaving the job, that the information you need "IS" being recorded. And figure,over a period of time, you will be buying additional equipment to cover all the different sized systems you will encounter--CT's from 5 amps to 4000 amps. And in our case, added analizers which you want the C.T's to be interchangable. This being the case, you don't want to change manufacturers mid-stream! Spend the extra money up front for these features--set up a rental rate which will return your money invested in your data recorders.
Click to expand...

plus also consider the software these analyzers come with. having good, user friendly software is always a plus.
 
Unless you are going to frequently use an analyzer, it might be better to rent. That way you'll always have a recently calibrated and tested unit.
 
Besoeker said:
Normally, I use a digital recording oscilloscope and download the recorded waveforms to my PC. Up to about 500V, the voltage is normally measured directly (matched 4kV probes), and for current I use a 1000:1 Fluke clip-on CT with a 10 ohm burden resistor. I've set up an Excel model to do harmonic analysis, peaks, maximum dv/dt etc.
The arrangement also allows me to look at the waveforms in real time. I like having the ability to do that because you can sometimes spot glitches or particular distortion patterns that immediately indicate the source of problems.
More than one way to skin a cat, I guess......
Click to expand...

We have used a similar set-up for over 20 years to catch those wild intermittent events (Spikes on grounding systems from--H.V. bug zappers,refrig. units cycling ,Shrink wrap machines E.S.D. etc.We also have monitors for long term site monitoring.:smile:
 
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