Application Notes:
Power Quality Analyzer Uses for Electricians |
|
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Your troubleshooting has come to a dead stop, while you wait for an outside expert to do a power quality analysis. Meanwhile, the customer is fuming about downtime and asking when you'll "have it fixed." Sound familiar?
Now you can prevent such situations, because you no longer need to rely on an outside expert or try to use a complicated power quality meter.
With the Fluke 430 Series Power Quality Analyzers, you can perform important measurements with the push of a button - it's that quick and easy. A dramatic improvement in power quality meters, the Fluke 430 series is the first high quality, three-phase tool that electricians can use at the service entrance to investigate power quality problems.
Maintenance contractsPreventive maintenance (PM) contracting is a growing business, but you need the right tools to do it. The goal of PM is to keep equipment and facilities in satisfactory operating condition by providing for systematic inspection, detection, and correction of problems in the early stages - before they develop into major defects or lead to catastrophic failures. To meet that goal with today's systems, you must identify power quality problems in their early stages. What tools are you using for that purpose?
Unfortunately, some contractors use DMMs to troubleshoot power quality problems "because we don't have time to learn to use a power quality meter."
Because customers need their power quality problems solved quickly, these contractors are putting their maintenance contracts - and themselves - at risk.
Others would say that limited time is exactly the reason to use Fluke power quality meters. Steve Uhrich, a supervisor with Valley Electric, Seattle, WA, says his crews make regular use of Fluke power quality meters because "We can take all the measurements with one tool. We don't have to be swapping around. From an efficiency standpoint, this works very well."
What do the electricians in Uhrich's crew think about using Fluke power quality meters? "I have asked everyone in my crew, 'If you could have only one meter, what would you choose?' Everyone had the same answer, 'The Fluke power quality meter.'"
Key functionsWhy such a ringing endorsement from electricians in the field? Let's start by looking at how a power quality meter differs from a DMM. Most electrical systems support a range of voltage and phase requirements (see diagram on page 3). A DMM gives you single measurements on single phases in numeric format. The 430 Series Power Quality Analyzers, on the other hand, measures all three phases even in 600 V CAT IV/1000 V CAT III areas, allowing you to monitor the entire system simultaneously. It also graphically interprets the data for you.
- Waveform display.
- History.
- Analysis.
- Multi-channel inputs.
StandoutsThe best power quality units provide even more functionality. For example, consider four useful actions you can easily perform with the Fluke 430 series:
- Trend automatically.
- View on four channels.
- Perform simultaneous captures.
- Perform system monitoring.
Let's not forget the impressive safety designed into the Fluke 430 series. The Fluke 430 series meets several safety standards, and it's the only handheld three-phase power quality meter rated for 600 V CAT IV and 1000 V CAT III for service entrance use.
Building business on power quality The Fluke 430 series can handle all of your electrical measurement needs for preventive maintenance, but how can it help you gain new business?
Suppose a customer hired you to install a new 75kVA distribution transformer and panel. You can do that project and walk off with your margin on it and hope for another call. Or, you can turn that project into a stream of new projects by identifying other needs - while you are still on site. Example: You show the customer a graphical display of voltage distortion to support the need for work on the lighting system.
Valley Electric uses a Fluke power quality meter to gain new business. Uhrich says, "We show the customer a need, which they often can't understand. But when we have a screen capture, we can show the layperson what is happening and they can understand it."
This understanding builds trust, which leads to repeated sales. Uhrich says, "Using Fluke power quality meters allows us to get work we couldn't otherwise get." And, this is a win-win. Uhrich says, "We help customers avoid shutdown, and we build our business."
Click here to download the full pdf: Power quality analyzer uses for electricians. » |