Single Phase Power Multimeter
Model PLM-1-LP
OWNER'S MANUAL
ELECTRONIC PRODUCT DESIGN, INC.
2145 Debra Dr.
SPRINGFIELD, OR 97477
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Functional Description
Operation
Specifications
Warranty
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
The Single Phase Power Multimeter (model PLM-1-LP) is an electronic instrument used to measure parameters associated with power consumption by an electrical load that is normally operated from a 50 or 60 hertz power line. Power is supplied to the load via a permanent power cord exiting the rear panel and a 15 amp, 120 volt outlet on the front panel. An internal .1 ohm shunt, wired in series with the neutral wire, senses the current. The voltage is measured between the hot and neutral wires. Power is provided to the measuring electronics via the same power cord. Current is limited to three amps RMS with an inline, 3 amp, slo-blo fuse accessible at the rear panel.
The Single Phase Power Multimeter measures; true RMS voltage and current; true power; and Peak voltage, current, and power. This meter also calculates Power-Factor, Volt-Amps, and VARS. In addition the PLM-1-LP accumulates Time and Watt-Hours.
Display information, time, and accumulations of power are stored away in a non-volatile memory. If measuring power is lost, when it returns, the meter will power up and still retain the latest recorded information. Reset of Watt-hours and Time is accomplished via the front panel momentary switches and is detailed in the operation section of this manual.
A dual line, 16 character per line, LCD provides a visual output to the operator. Two front-panel pushbuttons allow sequencing through the different displays of values. All measurements and calculations are updated at 1 second intervals, and if your meter includes the RS232 option, all the measurements and calculations are output at 9600 baud, once each second. RS232 isolation is a minimum of 1500 volts.
OPERATION
Power requirements for the metering electronics
Whenever power is applied to the metering electronics, via the metering-power cord, the PLM is on. Nominal 120 volt input (90 to 140 volts). This power is fused with an on-board 500ma micro-fuse.
Display selection
The first line of the LCD tells what the numeric values on the second line are. The display is changed by pressing and holding (for one half-second) the front panel momentary pushbuttons. Successive pressing of the "DISPLAY MODE " button will continually sequence through one of six different displays as follows:
- FIRST LINE (VOLTAGE):
- V-RMS V-PEAK
- XXX.X- XXX.X
- SECOND LINE (AMPERES CURRENT)
- I-RMS- I-PEAK
- X.XXXX-X.XXX
- THIRD LINE (POWER);
- WATTS W-PK
- XXXX.X XXXX
- FOURTH LINE (VOLT-AMPS);
- VA PF
- XXXX.X-X.XX
- FIFTH LINE (KVARS)
- VARS
- XXXX.X
- SIXTH LINE (TIME AND ACCUMULATED POWER)
- HOURS-WATT-HOURS
- XXX.XX-XXXXXX.XX
When any line, except the sixth line (time and accumulated power) is being displayed, pressing the "OPTIONS" button will sequence through the displays in the opposite direction. When displaying the sixth line, the "OPTIONS" button allows the numerical values for this display, to be set to zero. This reset is accomplished by pressing and holding the "OPTIONS" button down for 5 seconds. After 5 seconds, Time and Watt-hours will be displayed as all zeros; you may then release the button.
Current and Voltage connections
This connection is accomplished through the power cord exiting at the rear panel. This cord is plugged into a convenient power source limited to a maximum of 140 volts rms. Your load is plugged into the front panel outlet.
RS232 option
If your meter has the RS232 option, then it outputs from the rear panel RJ11 jack at 9600 baud, 1 start bit, no parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit. All of the measurements and calculations are transmitted as a serial string at 1 second intervals. The data is in the following format:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
XXXX.X,XXXX.X,X.XXXX,XX.XX,XXXX.X,XXXX,XXXX.X,XXX.XX,XXXX.X,
10- 11
XXX.XX,XXXXXX.XX(CR)(LF)
FIELD VALUE
1 RMS voltage
2 Peak voltage-
3 RMS current
4 Peak current
5 Watts
6 Watt peak
7 Volt-amps
8 Power-Factor
9 VARS
10 Time
11 Accumulated power.
The serial port is unidirectional, passing data only from the meter. Commas are used as delimiters and leading zeros are suppressed.
The RS232 hardware includes an output RJ-11 connector, modular cable, and DB adaptor. Only two wires are provided end to end, a transmit and a ground. The modular cable provided is typical of those used for telephones; a four conductor, reversed, RJ-11. The DB adaptor is a female DB-25 (or DB-9) to RJ-45. The RJ-45 is compatible with the RJ-11.
SPECIFICATIONS
Instrument: Single Phase Power Multimeter
Model: PLM-1-LP
Application: Measure power from DC, 25, 50, 60, or 400 hz power lines.
Power Consumption: 4 watts, nominal 120 volts.
Operating temperature: 25 + or - 10 degrees C.
Bandpass: 100th harmonic of 60 hz (6Khz).
Crest factor: Peak current (10 amps) divided by measured rms current. For 1 amp load the crest factor is 10.
MEASUREMENT RANGE ACCURACY
RMS Voltage .1 to 140.0 volts .5% +1 LSD
RMS Current .001 to 3.000 amps .5% +1 LSD
Watts .1 to 420.1 watts .5% +1 LSD
Peak Voltage .1 to 200.0 volts 1% +1 LSD
Peak Current .01 to 10.00 amps 1% +1 LSD
Peak Power 1 to 2,000 watts 1% +1 LSD
Volt-Amps .1 to 420.0 VA 1% + 1 LSD
Power Factor .00 to 1.00 1.5%
VARS 1 to 420 VARS 1.5% (PF = .1 to .9)
Accumulate Power
WATT-HOURS .01 to 999999.99 .5% + 1LSD
Hours .01 to 655.36 HOURS .01% + 1LSD
In line fuse at rear panel is a 3 amp, slow blow.
WARRANTY
Notwithstanding any provision of any agreement the following warranty is exclusive.
Electronic Product Design, Inc. warrants each instrument it manufactures to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for the period of 1-year from date of purchase, provided the warrantor's examination discloses to its satisfaction that the product was defective. The warrantor may at its option, replace the product in lieu of repair. With regard to any instrument returned within 1 year of the original purchase, said repairs or replacement will be made without charge. If the failure has been caused by misuse, neglect, accident, or abnormal conditions of operations, repairs will be billed at a nominal cost. In such case, an estimate will be submitted before work is started, if requested.
THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS, OR ADEQUACY FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. ELECTRONIC PRODUCT DESIGN, INC. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE.
If failure occurs, the following steps should be taken:
- Notify EPD, Inc., giving full details of the difficulty, and include the model number and serial number. On receipt of this information, service data or shipping information will be given to you.
- Forward the instrument, transportation prepaid. Repairs will be made at the Service Facility and the instrument returned, transportation prepaid.
Shipping to Manufacturer for repair or adjustment:
All shipments to the manufacturer, should be made via United Parcel Service or Federal Express. The instrument should be shipped in the original packing carton, or if it is not available, use any suitable container that is rigid and of adequate size. If a substitute container is used, the instrument should be wrapped in paper and surrounded with at least four inches of excelsior or similar shock-absorbing material.
Electronic Product Design, Inc. will be happy to answer all applications or use questions, which will enhance your use of this instrument. Please address your requests or correspondence to Electronic Product Design, Inc., 6963 Bluebelle Way, Springfield, Oregon 97478.