Instrument Issues Power Quality "Report Card"

A color touch-screen, smart automatic setups, and a unique annunicator "report card" are among the features of a trio of new handheld instruments for monitoring the quality of electrical power. The annunciator collects and analyzes power data, characterizing each power quality event as a pass or fail. Each of the three 8-channel instruments - the PowerGuide 4400, PowerXplorer PX5 (photo) and PX5-400 - collects data at a 256-sample/cycle/channel pace and meets IEEE 1159, EN50160 and IEC 61000-4-30 Class A standards. The three-phase PowerGuide numbers among its automated setup capabilities the instant detection of circuit types and configurations, ensuring the instrument is ready to collect data. Users can also select the length and mode of data collection. The unit offers remote communications using RS-232, Ethernet or UASB options. In addition to PowerGuide's capabilities, the PowerXplorer PX5 features high-speed sampling and data capture (1 µs/channel) and can simultaneously capture and characterize hundreds of parameters, including IEEE 1459 for non-sinusoidal and unbalanced systems. And it can even capture, among other things, low-medium-high frequency transients through peak, waveshape, rms duration, and adaptive high-speed sampling. The third member of this power monitor family, namely the PowerXplorer PX5-400, can handle 400 Hz as well as 50/60 Hz applications. For more details, contact DRANETZ-BMI, Edison, NJ. (800) 372-6832.