Power Quality Meters

[john_axelson]

Does anyone have a strong preference or independant evaulation of different power quality meters. We are looking at "investing" in one and it appears that we will be in the $4,000 to $5,000 range. We have seen literature from Dranetz, Fluke and Tektronix. Any other ones we should be looking at?

We are a "smaller" commercial/industrial electrical contractor that has seen the need (and we have rented in the past) to monitor the main service for power quality issues ranging from power factor, demand, harmonics, voltage sags/swells,etc.

Thank you,
John

 

[mdshunk]

I've been using the Ideal 805 for about 10 years. It's at the bottom of the price range (about 2K with standard amp clamps). Gets a little more when you buy different programs for it and different clamps. I'd recommend it based on price, since I don't use it all that much to justify a nicer unit. Makes nice reports on the PC too with the supplied software

 

[brian john]

I own several meters (RPM BMI) and am in the process of replacing them, trying the fluke 1750 and 435, the 435 SEEMS to be the best bang for the buck (around 5,000.00). I have also used the Drantez and Hyoki's.

I would recommended renting a meter and seeing how you like it.

But I hope others post their favs here as any help spending this kind of money is helpful.

 

[ghostbuster]

This switchboard unit from ION is a little more expensive $$,but can be easily adapted for portable site monitoring .It has great software for report writing.smile:

http://www.pwrm.com/products/ION7650/

 

[brian john]

Thanks for the recommendation, the biggest issue I have with the new Flikes is the lack of a report writer (at least so far just getting into these meters)

Any idea on the cost of the Ion?

 

[mdshunk]

Any idea on the cost of the Ion?

The Square D Digest shows them at $9,279. Plug in your multiplier for the real price.

http://ecatalog.squared.com/catalog/174/html/sections/04/17404006.html

 

[charlie tuna]

i have two metrosonics data loggers which we have used for power quality problems over the last eight years. before them we used dranetz meters. we found the metrosonics to be very easy to set up and know that the information your looking for is being recorded. the downloaded information is user friendly and very easy for your customer to understand. we have had situations in hospitals and data centers that we needed additional meters which we rented. these units were rpm. they proved to be a problem mainly in two areas. the set up was confusing and many times we could not download the information we needed and had to "rerun" the entire test period which could be a week or month! we have c.t's from 5 amps and up to 4000 amps. metrosonics are serviced by meggar metering corp.. these units are for sale since we have recently retired -- if you are interested.....

 

[john_axelson]

I sent you a private message in regards to the meter....

 

[robbietan]

we have the newer 4400 by dranetz and the older 7100. the 4400 is built to be portable while the 7100 is built to withstand being hung outdoors in an electric pole. depends on your application.

report writer for the 7100 is easy, the 4400 a liitle complicated

installing the 7100 is a little complicated, the 4400 is easier

 

[john_axelson]

Is the 4400 the one they are calling the Power Visa? Also, what probes are you using? We have used the Lemflex rope CT's and have liked them for the fact that they simplify the installation, but not so sure about the inaccuracy at lower amp loading (we were told it can be off as much as 10%).

We are looking for more of a portable unit.

 

[robbietan]

the 4400 is the Power Guide. the power visa looks similar and has almost the same functions.

we only use the 5 amps ct, as the lem CTs that we use for the 7100 are incompatible with the power guide.

 

[charlie tuna]

the use of split core ct's(and/or rope ct's) will reduce the accuracy of the meter somewhat. to offset this you need to have the ct's rating as close to the amperage that you have on the metered load as possible. that is why you need a selection of split core ct's when your providing metering services.

 

[brian john]

Charlie: I have a good selection of split cores and clamp-on's it is just that durn "B" phase that throws me a curve when installing the CT's. "A" phase fits "C" phase can be made to work BUT "B" well that another story.

 

[charlie tuna]

brian john,
yes, i know what you mean... many times(if possible) we will intercept the center phase elsewhere in the gear. more than 50 per cent of the time we would get these jobs for engineering companies to monitor emergency power quantity and we had to work them "hot". it's scary to wrassle a 4000 amp split core ct onto a bus and then try to line up the hole for that little 8/32 locking screw. i am thankful they invented the auto shunts in today's ct's! it seems to me that years ago, engineers would calculate loads, but more and more they ask that it be monitored -- i guess they are covering their butts? but that was good for us, we charged $35. a day rent per meter, better than sitting in the shop!!!