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Voltage recorder advice

B

BIGEYE

Jan 1, 1970
0
I am looking for a portable voltage recorder available in UK to monitor
three phase voltage @ 690 Volts.
The supply is 3ph + N 690.
Need one that can be triggered from an external volt free contact on a
circuit breaker, so that should the breaker trip, a hard copy of the voltage
waveform is printed out from the recorder for about five minutes befor the
trip right up until the trip occured.
We are having problems with intermittent tripping of an ACB and need to see
if there is any problems with our power supply.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.
 
L

Louis Bybee

Jan 1, 1970
0
BIGEYE said:
I am looking for a portable voltage recorder available in UK to monitor
three phase voltage @ 690 Volts.
The supply is 3ph + N 690.
Need one that can be triggered from an external volt free contact on a
circuit breaker, so that should the breaker trip, a hard copy of the voltage
waveform is printed out from the recorder for about five minutes befor the
trip right up until the trip occured.
We are having problems with intermittent tripping of an ACB and need to see
if there is any problems with our power supply.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.
I believe you need to look at a few other parameters of your electrical
service other than just voltage. There are a number of instruments that
could quantify the operational statistics associated with your service.

A Power Quality Analyzer (or Analyser :-] ) could record the parameters
you choose, and create a file to be examined later allowing determinations
as to the cause of any anomalies present, or after a power loss event
associated with a breaker trip. You wouldn't need an exterior trigger to
capture the quantities just before the breaker trip as the analyzer could
bet set to over write the file starting at the beginning when the memory
limitations are exceeded, and the instrument retrieved after a breaker trip.

These instruments are generally quite costly, and unless you have continuing
monitoring needs you might consider having an Electrical Contracting, or
Engineering firm evaluate your problem. They would be able to determine the
cause of your issue (power quality, defective breaker, loose connection at
or near the breaker, etc.) without you investing in the cost of the
instrument. These instruments can also be rented, but unless you have an
in-house person with the expertise necessary to set up, and evaluate the
results, it would be of little use to you.

There is also the possibility of your power provider attaching an analyzer
to see if the problem is theirs. Depending on the utility it isn't always
easy to gain their assistance.

Louis
 
S

SQLit

Jan 1, 1970
0
BIGEYE said:
I am looking for a portable voltage recorder available in UK to monitor
three phase voltage @ 690 Volts.
The supply is 3ph + N 690.
Need one that can be triggered from an external volt free contact on a
circuit breaker, so that should the breaker trip, a hard copy of the voltage
waveform is printed out from the recorder for about five minutes befor the
trip right up until the trip occured.
We are having problems with intermittent tripping of an ACB and need to see
if there is any problems with our power supply.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.

This instrument is going to be expensive. I would try to locate an rental
house that rents equipment. Expect to pay about a grand (US) a month.
The RPM now in Flukes hands is a good meter. I am not sure about the 690
volt though. Durantez or BMI both have meters that will do the job as well.
What ever you get make sure it is a sub-cycle recorder. very fast. CH and SQ
D both make meters but they do not record for a long enough time. At least
that was the way when I last used them.

I think you should consider monitoring for a week or peferably a month
continuelessly.
Asking a meter to come to attention at the speed of light is pretty
difficult assignment. Besides the event may have passed. I would record the
current as well. All phases, neutral and ground at the point of common
coupling or ahead of the offending breaker.

Have you considered testing the breaker? I have seen some go bad...
Thoughts off the top of my head, good luck and let us know what you found.
 
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