Selecting the Right Power Meter

Article Written By: AdrianMiller

The set of electrical properties that allows electrical systems to function in their intended manner without significant loss of performance or life is called Power Quality. This is an opportunity to be aware of the quality of electric power and study the changes in RMS voltages, transient voltages, wave shape, voltage imbalance, flickers, etc.

The analysis involves several issues like classification and characterization of electrical disturbances, propagation of disturbances and measurement campaigns. Wave-shapes are used for evaluation of harmonic distortion and voltage profiles for steady-state RMS variations. Power quality monitoring also includes the detection of electrical disturbances such as sags, harmonics, swells, etc. Once the disturbance has been detected and recorded, analysis of the captured waveforms can give more information about the disturbance.

A power meter helps in analysis of motor start-up, detection of unbalanced situations that lead to equipment failures, verification of power distribution systems and measurement and recording of the parameters. It helps to avoid disturbance and includes both single-phase and three-phase analyzers for predictive maintenance, quality of service compliance testing and load studies.

With so many options in the market, choosing the correct type can be a difficult task. The primary step in choosing one is to determine the goal for the monitoring system. There are easier-to-use, less sophisticated and cheaper meters which measure parameters such as energy usage, peak demand, and basic voltage/current. For more complex requirements in industrial facilities, more capable power meters are available as well. Usually, a meter's cost determines its limitations because all metering devices are constrained by hardware, firmware, and software functionality.

Power meters should include basic features like the ability to capture, view, and provide alarms based on anomalies or steady-state conditions that can affect the operation of equipment or processes. A good type must also be able to examine several categories of issues. In facilities which require higher levels of quality, a meter which provides comprehensive information on all categories will be more useful, but such a meter will also be more expensive.

The real potential of a good power quality monitoring system also lies in its extensive link between the hardware and software. A permanently mounted metering scheme has additional strengths because it's typically layered through the electrical system. If the software has access to data from all meters, characterization of the quality throughout the facility is easier.

About the Author

Adrian Miller is an industry expert with over a decade’s experience of working as a technical consultant for major automation and electrical corporations. He recommends power monitoring equipment such as wattage meters from Fluke.

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