Quote:
Originally Posted by sanddrag
I am trying to research devices that would be able to monitor, log, and analyze (by graph or something of the sort) power consumption of large (up to 75 HP) "booster" pumps, but I haven't come up with anything so far. Hopefully some of the electrical engineers in here can point me in the right direction. I really don't know much of anything about how this would be done. I'm hoping to find something more fancy than a typical electric meter you'd find on the side of a building. This would be for a permanent installation application. A digital device with something like USB to download data or even network capability to provide real-time monitoring would be optimal, however I am unaware if such a thing even exists, much less where to find it or how it would work. Any help is appreciated.
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Are you just looking for consumption? kilowatts. Or are you looking for more detail like starting currents, voltage drop or sag at start, consumption at different load levels, ambient temperatures, power factor (pf, VARs, VA, and W) , harmonic distortion (neutral currents), etc.
Consumption can be logged with recording volt and current meters. For more detail you'd be better with a Power Quality Analyzer.
You can probably find a suitable power quality analyzer from either Amprobe or Fluke. Our utility uses a PQ analyzer and software from Dranetz (I think its a Power Platform 4300, but I'm not sure because I only get the data from the techs and we don't use it very often) Some of these PQ analyzers can get expensive $4k and up, but you can usually find rentals by the week or month. Google instrument rental labs or electrical test instrument rentals and you should be able to find a company in your area that can help suggest the best equipment for your needs. Current probes are generally clamp-on type, and voltage probes are generally alligator clip style.
Hope this helps.