Power fluctuations and power conversion requirements today have led to the increased requirements of power analysers with multiple capabilities
By Sneha Ambastha
The capabilities of the tools that help analyse, validate and verify the measurements of both electronics and electromechanical systems are improving day by day, as the competition in the market increases. This month, we bring to you a list of power analysers launched in the last one year. The main function of a power analyser is to measure the real and apparent power of a system, due to which it is sometimes also referred to as a power meter or a wattmeter.
Due to the growing market demands, the latest power analysers available in the market are required to be multifunctional. These analysers need to measure both alternating current (AC) and AC voltage, direct current (DC) and DC voltage, and the intensity of AC and DC, apart from power.
Power meters are used in various applications, ranging from consumer appliances used in homes to power transformers and motors in industries. The role of a power meter remains the same, although the type of analyser used in each segment may vary, depending upon its key specifications.
Model: PW6001, Brand: HIOKI, Manufacturer: Hioki E.E. Corporation
PW6001 is a benchtop power analyser used to precisely measure a combination of capabilities such as high stability, high accuracy and a broad range of frequencies. It is also capable of performing waveform analysis. PW6001 provides a maximum of six channels for the measurement of single- to three-phase inverter motor systems and of next-generation devices like silicon carbide (SiC) inverters. One key feature of this analyser is its power measurement accuracy of about ±0.02 per cent. This attracts industry experts looking for efficiency in the measurement of energy conversion.
Key features:
The analyser has ±0.02 per cent of basic power accuracy along with a DC power measurement accuracy of 0.02 per cent (reading), which reduces to 0.07 per cent (reading) on addition of the current sensor accuracy
- Uses an 18-bit analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) that results in more precise measurements
- Has a broad range of frequency measurements and a sampling rate that is 10 times better compared to its compared to its legacy products
- Allows waveform analysis that is required for measuring energy conversion efficiency
- Comes with a specially designed integrated circuit (IC) for independent measurements and simultaneous calculations
- Does not require any additional device like an oscilloscope for motor and waveform analysis
- Enabled with various measurement parameters like fundamental wave reactive power Qfnd, DC ripple rate and 3-phase unbalanced rate
Contact details: Ph:+91-124-6590210, www.hioki.com
Indian branch: E Hioki India Pvt Ltd
Key specifications
USP: Measurement accuracy of 0.02 per cent
Model: PA2203A, Brand: Keysight, Manufacturer: Keysight Technologies, USA
Launched in 2015, PA2203A IntegraVision power analyser has a touch based oscilloscope visualisation along with an accurate power measurement feature. Using the wiring configurator available in this power analyser, one can either create or modify complex 3-phase connections. Its phasor diagram helps to verify those connections and also verify the phase relationships. One key feature of PA2203A is that it helps R&D engineers ensure that their designs operate efficiently, do not produce any noise or have any power quality issues, and achieve the required goals. Thus the key customers for IntegraVision power analysers are R&D engineers.
Key features:
- Comes with a large touchscreen along with gesture-enabled features
- Helps characterise the consumption of power under dynamic conditions. It has a sample rate of 5 million per second and a bandwidth of 2.5MHz
- Allows isolated inputs for easy and safe connections
- Capable of measuring critical one-time events with high accuracy
- Simultaneously records both voltage and current on all channels, and provides point-by-point multiplication for any power measurements waveform displays
- Capable of measuring current directly using two internal shunts (2 Arms and 50 Arms) with a bandwidth of up to 100kHz
- Can be controlled remotely over LAN through a standard Web browser
Contact details: Ph: 0124-229-2010, [email protected], www.keysight.com
Indian branch: Keysight India Pvt Ltd
Key specifications
USP: Touch based oscilloscope visualisation feature with accurate power measurement facility
Model: 936, Brand: Meco, Manufacturer: Meco Meters Pvt Ltd, Navi Mumbai
The 936 from Meco is a portable power meter specifically used to measure solar irradiance or power. It measures solar power transmission of up to 2000W/m² in the range of 400 to 1100 nanometres (nm). The device uses silicon photodiode of high frequency for all such measurements. One key feature of this power meter is that it can detect both solar tilt angle and its orientation.
Key features:
- Measures solar power in the range of 400 to 1100 nanometres
- It focuses on the orientation and tilt angle during the measurements
- Measures rate of daylight penetration
- Facilitates auto change of measuring range
- Comes with features like ‘Auto Power Off’ with ‘Disable’
- Capable of measuring all types of data such as instantaneous, minimum, maximum, average, etc
- Has 20 points memory along with a ‘low battery’ indicator
- Operates with a 9V battery
- Backlit LCD and 4-digit triple display
Contact details: Ph: 022-27673311-16, [email protected], www.mecoinst.com
Indian branch: Meco Instruments Pvt Ltd
Key specifications
USP: Allows users to get precise quantitative measurements of solar power radiation
A ‘made in India’ product
Model: VPA-60080, Brand: Veer, Manufacturer: Veer Electronics
VPA-60080 is a three phase power analyser researched and manufactured in India. Its high sampling rate along with a facility to simultaneously measure different parameters makes it suitable for testing single phase and three phase electrical machines. One key feature of the equipment is its long term accuracy and stability owing to the fact that it has no adjustable components inside. The target customers for this analyser are manufacturers of motors, transformers, pumps and LED lights. Although VPA-60080 was launched in 2008, it is still available through Veer Electronics.
Key features:
- Comes with a double fuse protection
- Comes with inbuilt data storage for 500 test (1000 is optional)
- Supports interfaces such as RS-232/ RS-485, USB and free software
- Can be used either on the table top or be rack-mounted
- Has an optional facility to shut down automatically in case of overvoltage
- Embossed keypad makes it user friendly too
- It has tamperproof calibration and long term stability
Contact details: Ph: 9879203486/8638, [email protected], www.veerpoweranalyzer.com
Indian branch: Veer Electronics
Key specifications
USP: Provides accurate measurement at low power factor
