Quality in mining power quality analysis

July 2002 Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration

Since its purchase of the Fluke 43 Power Quality Analyser from Spescom MeasureGraph, a local diamond company has reported substantial savings in time, and increased productivity. Detailed analysis of harmonics displayed by the instrument has enabled the company to troubleshoot and rectify harmonics found on its heating elements, which are used in the mining environment to dry mined ore.

The Fluke 43 is a combination of three test tools in one: a power quality analyser, a true RMS digital multimeter and a 20 MHz oscilloscope. Its easy to use interface allows the user to quickly diagnose power quality problems. It is designed to help utility technicians, electrical contractors, industrial equipment technicians and electrical engineers, who evaluate power quality, to maintain power systems, troubleshoot power problems and diagnose equipment failures.

Nonlinear loads cause harmonics by drawing current in pulses, rather than smooth sinusoids. The analyser function of the Fluke 43 is designed to measure voltage, current and power harmonics, total harmonic distortion (THD) and the phase angle of individual harmonics.

Voltage sags and swells also threaten productivity. However, with the Fluke 43 users can continuously monitor voltage and current on a cycle-by-cycle basis for up to 16 days, and use cursors to read the time and date of interruptions.

Another benefit is the included software, FlukeView 43, which enables the user to record and save up to 40 transients or distorted waveforms and correlate the cause of distortion with time and date recordings. The data can either be printed as neat and legible reports or stored for further analysis. The hard carry-case protects the instrument from the most adverse environments and includes a 500 A current clamp for measuring current and power with ease. A four-hour battery life under continuous use gives the user total handheld ability for field use in a reliable and rugged analyser.

For more information contact Brendan Campbell, Spescom MeasureGraph on tel: 011 266 1527, e-mail: [email protected], website: www.spescom.com

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