|
Accuracy
With an accuracy of ± 0.02% in
the field, the PowerMaster® is
more accurate than most lab
standards and 10 times more
accurate than most meters.
User Interface
The user interface is a Windows
CE based program that enables
the user to perform complex
tasks with an easy-to-use
dashboard. The
Main Menu can be easily accessed
at any time pressing the HOME
key. This allows the user to
either select the appropriate
test within the list, or select
"Integrated Site Testing" which
incorporates all tests together
in a step-by-step process. Hot keys on the
front panel are used as
shortcuts to quickly view the
vector diagram, power meter,
waveforms, and harmonics at any
time during testing. A dynamic
HELP function was developed to
not only direct the user to the
appropriate section of the
pre-loaded user manual, but it
will also display to the user
possible errors found concerning
the test and appropriate actions
that need to be taken. With
features designed to help the
meter technician with their job,
this user interface is a tool
for beginners to metering that
normally was designated to
seasoned technicians and
engineers only.
Integrated Site Testing
Using Integrated Site Test, the
user can easily test the entire
site using a step-by-step
process that eliminates mistakes
and proves the installation is
operating accurately.
Integrated Site Test allows the
user to perform ALL of the tests
that are built into the
PowerMaster®. Stepping through
the process is as easy as
pressing “Next” and “Previous.”
Integrated Site Test allows the
user to move forward or backward
in the process as much as
needed. This becomes useful
when troubleshooting a site and
completing “as found” and “as
left” change-out procedures.
The user will have the option to
customize each test for a
particular site, which can be
associated to any site in the
database. These test setups
can be created and customized as
many as required.
Instrument Transformer Testing
Some of the most powerful
features of the PowerMaster®
are in the Instrument
Transformer Testing section.
The PowerMaster® has
the ability to simultaneously
test all three CT's and PT's in
the metering circuit.
Using the Hot Keys, the user can
quickly view the power pairs
(secondary and primary) for
diagnostics. Each test
displays the graphs of the
burden, ratio, and parallelogram
for all phases on one page.
Using the dynamic HELP function,
if any errors are found during
testing, the user can quickly
determine the problem with a
supplied list of tips and
diagnostic features. If
the CT circuit has little to no
load, the CT can be added with
load to perform a test in the
field. Also, during normal
CT testing, if the results are
found to be out of tolerance,
the user will have the option to
quickly demagnetize the CT
without moving any connections
or exiting out of the CT testing
setup. No separate boxes
or devices are needed.
Customer Load Meter Testing
In accordance with ANSI
C-12.1-2001 using Method 3
(5.1.5.3), a customer load test
can be performed. The PowerMaster®
can determine within seconds on
how accurate the meter is under
real-world conditions.
Determining this accuracy is
incredibly valuable since the
customer is being billed under
these conditions.
Phantom Load Meter Testing
Implementing a true 3-Phase
current and voltage source, the PowerMaster®
can simulate a phantom load
meter test with an accuracy (±
0.02%) exceeding most meter shop
test boards. The user
interface allows the ability to
select a pre-loaded setup or
create a custom setup.
Testing can be done under many
varying conditions including
active and reactive energy, and
delivered or received energy
flow. Without removing
connections, a phantom load test
can be performed while the meter
is in the socket. The
currents and voltages are
injected with the standard lead
sets (alligator current lead set
available), so there is no need
to change leads in the middle of
a test. For meters without
a test switch or self-contained
meters, various meter base
adapters are available.
Hot Keys
The user can easily access
important functions at any time
in the PowerMaster® with a push
of a button. The 1) vector
diagram, 2) power meter, 3)
waveforms, and 4) harmonics all
have dedicated buttons on the PowerMaster® front panel.
Another function key, 5) full
analysis, displays all four
functions in one screen for a
powerful overview of the entire
circuit. The 6) status key can
be pressed to view the condition
of the test setup and the
internal workings of the PowerMaster®. These keys can be
alternatively accessed using a
PC/laptop or USB keyboard via
function keys (F7-F12
respectively).
Database
The PowerMaster® has a built-in
SQL database that can hold all
information pertaining to the
site including (but not limited
to) the meter, CT, PT, AMR,
account number, address,
substation, GPS locator, billing
multiplier, and when the site
needs to be tested again. The
user can easily select a
pre-loaded component (meter, CT,
PT, etc.) from our large
database or create a new
component to be associated to
each metering site. Using the
Meter Site Manager PC software,
this information along with data
results can easily be
synchronized to the master
database or formatted into a .csv
or .txt file for exporting into
the utility’s master database.
The real power of having a
built-in database inside the
PowerMaster® is the
ability to create a daily
"route" of tests for the user
that can be setup in the shop
(or synched from Meter Site
Manager) before going into the
field.
Hardware
The PowerMaster® is housed in a
compact Pelican 1550 case, which
is waterproof, weathertight, and
extremely rugged. The
large front panel allows the
user to keep safety gloves on at
all times. The large
buttons are on a tactile
keypanel creating a
splash-proof membrane. A
keyboard and mouse can be
alternatively used instead of
the keypanel, which allows the
user the freedom of operating
the
PowerMaster®
identical to a PC. Implementing an 8.4 inch, full
color transflective VGA display
allows the user to view the data
and operate much easier in full
sunlight. It also prevents eye
strain found in other products
with small, black and white
displays.
|
