Fluke 437-II/BASIC [FLUKE-437-II/BASIC] Three-Phase Power Quality and Energy Analyzer

The 437-II/BASIC Three-Phase Power Quality and Energy Analyzer, 400 Hz helps locate, predict, prevent, and troubleshoot power quality problems in three-phase and single-phase power distribution systems. Its energy loss algorithm, called Unified Power Measurement, measures and quantifies energy losses due to harmonics and unbalance issues, allowing the user to pinpoint the origin of energy waste within a system.

Unified Power Measurement
437-II/BASIC's Unified Power Measurement system (UPM) provides the most comprehensive view of power available, measuring Parameters of Classical Power (Steinmetz 1897) and IEEE 1459-2000 Power; Detailed Loss Analysis; and Unbalance Analysis. These UPM calculations are used to quantify the fiscal cost of energy loss caused by power quality issues. Along with other facility-specific information, the calculations are computed by an Energy Loss Calculator that ultimately determines how much money a facility loses due to wasted energy.

Energy Savings
Traditionally, energy savings are achieved by monitoring and targeting (ie. finding the major loads in a facility and optimizing their operation) and the cost of power quality could only be quantified in terms of downtime, lost production and damage to electrical equipment. The Unified Power Measurement (UPM) method goes beyond this to achieve energy savings by discovering the energy waste caused by power quality issues. The Energy Loss Calculator will likewise determine how much money a facility is losing due to waste energy.

Unbalance
UPM gives a more comprehensive breakdown of the energy consumed in a plant. In addition to measuring reactive power (caused by poor power factor), UPM also measures the energy waste caused by unbalance - the effect of unevenly loading each phase into three-phase systems. Unbalance can often be corrected by reconnecting loads on different phases to ensure the current drawn on each phase is as equal as possible. Unbalance can also be corrected by installing an unbalance reactance device (or filter), that will minimize the effects. Correcting unbalance should be basic to good housekeeping in the facility, as unbalance problems can cause motor failure or shorten equipment life expectancy. Unbalance also wastes energy.

Harmonics
UPM also provides details of the energy wasted in your facility due to the presence of harmonics. Harmonics may be present in your facility due to the loads you operate or may be caused by loads in adjacent facilities. The presence of harmonics in your facility can lead to overheating transformers and conductors; nuisance tripping of circuit breakers; and early failures of electrical equipment.

Quantifying the cost of wasted energy due to the presence of harmonics simplifies the return-on-investment calculations needed to justify purchasing harmonic filters. By installing a harmonic filter the ill effects of harmonics can be reduced and energy waste eliminated, resulting in lower operational costs and more reliable operation.