Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
(OP)
Hello,
I need a power logger to monitor 3 phase power for 30 days. As long as I'm going to spend a bunch of money, I'd also like to have my new meter be able to log and monitor power quality. I don't think I will need more than 1200A capacity. Can someone recommend a meter for this? I've looked at Fluke and Extech, but I don't have any experience with this kind of meter. I'd like some feedback from people who have used these meters.
thanks,
EE
I need a power logger to monitor 3 phase power for 30 days. As long as I'm going to spend a bunch of money, I'd also like to have my new meter be able to log and monitor power quality. I don't think I will need more than 1200A capacity. Can someone recommend a meter for this? I've looked at Fluke and Extech, but I don't have any experience with this kind of meter. I'd like some feedback from people who have used these meters.
thanks,
EE





RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
Good on ya,
Goober Dave
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RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
I just can't stand the suspense!
RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
http://www.powercet.com/pqstore/pqstore_details.cf...
http://www.testequip.com/sale/details/HES3104.html
http://www.metrictest.com/brands?searchTerm=Dranet...
There is a list on the Dranetz site as well. Most of them say "call for quote" -- I've found those folks to be pretty negotiable if you indicate that you may be interesting in buying the rental unit if it does what you need.
Good on ya,
Goober Dave
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RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
I have a Fluke 43B that I use quite often and am happy with it. It's single phase (1 V, 1 I) measurement, but for what I use it for it suits me just fine. It's about $800 or so.
RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
For more detailed studies I use a Fluke 1750, it has served me very well, and when I need additional units I rent from Electro-rents. The CT's are pricey for it, but it was used by a former employer and I took a liking to it, so when I went out on my own I invested in one.
Have you checked with a local electrical contractor or engineer for what a Power Quality Audit would cost? I work with a couple of engineers who use me to do power logging quite a bit, and if you're only going to do this once or twice it may be a better solution, especially if you have to work "hot" to make the connections and where those locations are in your electrical system.
Hope that helps, Mike L.
RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
If you haven't setup power logging before a couple of things to look at, Safety First! To install the meter and leads, then leave them for a month means the covers may not go back on like they should, the meter can get moved, kicked, mopped, etc. Just make sure you know what goes on 24/7 around where you are going to put the meter. Can't tell you how many times I have a bad recording because someone unplugged the meter power cord and didn't plug it back in, I even have gone to the extent of having big bright tags that say "PLEASE DO NOT UNPLUG" and that still isn't 100% effective.
Use rope type CT's if you can, they seem to work better, at least in my experience in most cases. Hopefully you can de-energize what you are going to monitor to hook up on, if not, plan carefully, especially at the current levels you mention above.
Think about where your voltage leads would end up if they got knocked loose for some reason. Please don't expect that it can't happen, I usually use a few well placed tie wraps to make sure a small problem doesn't turn into a big one.
My two cents worth, good luck!
Mike L.
RE: Recommendations for a good power logger/analyzer
Thanks for the advice.