This Article is about:
- Using the Fluke 173X AUX ports to consolidate load measurement
- Logging analog variable
- Setting up the Fluke 17XX instrument for analog measurements and logging.
Using the Fluke 173X AUX ports to consolidate load measurement
Often when monitoring electrical loads it’s not just the load that is of interest but also the behavior of the equipment that makes up the load. A few examples include compressors that are controlled by pressure switches, temperature control systems for air conditioning equipment or injection molding machinery. When measuring power and energy on these loads its useful to also monitor the variables that may be used in controlling the equipment, for example an injection molding machine will have heaters used to melt the material that is going to be molded and perhaps a hydraulically driven ram. In such a case it would be useful to know the temperature and pressure while monitoring the load. In this example the temperature could be measured using a transducer with a linear voltage output and pressure could be measured with a pressure transmitter with a 4 to 20mA output proportional to measured pressure. As each of these variables changes there may be a related change in power and energy consumption, as the heaters are turned on the current will increase or the motor driving the hydraulic pump may consume more power as the pressure increases during the molding process.
Logging analog variable
The Fluke 173X products have two analog inputs (via one four pole input socket) that are monitored logged at the same time as they measure electrical power and energy. The analog signals are applied to the Auxiliary Input Adapter (4717827 FLUKE-17XX AUX) and supplied to the 173X instrument via an output plug:
The adapter has a total of four inputs and two outputs. Two inputs can be used simultaneously; these inputs are either 0 to 10 volts or 0 to 1,000 volts. (this adapter supports 1732, 1734 1736 and 1738 products).
The 0 to 10 volt signal is connected by means of push terminals:
The 0 to 1,000V signals are applied via two pairs of safety sockets:
The signals are applied to the instrument via a four pole plug shown on the left, above.
Once connected and correctly setup the values can be measured and logged.
Setting up the Fluke 17XX instrument for analog measurements and logging
In addition to directly applied analog signal it is possible to use the analog inputs in association with wireless Fluke Connect modules, these modules directly measure a variety of variables including temperature, AC and DC voltage and current. These modules connect to the measuring instrument via a low energy Bluetooth (BLE) connection.
We’ll consider the direct connection only in this article.
To enable the measuring instrument to measure the analog signal the instrument is configured in the instrument menu. Go to AUX configuration:
The default setting is 0-10V, the AUX adapter supplies a maximum of 10V d.c. output (even if the primary input is 1,000V). To create a user defined input select Custom1 and select Edit (F4).
Select ENTER to edit
Input chosen text, in the case ‘Level’ is entered.
Next choose sensor type from listed options
In this case 4-20mA is selected. For 4-20mA loops a shunt resistor is required, with a 50 Ohm resistor selected a signal of 0.2V to 1V is generated for 4-20mA inputs.
Now choose a unit, we’ll select m (meters)
Here the minimum and maximum are 0 to 10m, at 4mA the level will be 0m and at 20mA level will be 10m.
A variety of sensor types can be created; these are stored in the instrument for later use. Measurements logged are then integrated along with the voltage, current, power and energy data simultaneously.