Elcomponent SPCPro User manual

SPCPro
USER MANUAL
www.spcpro.co.uk

SPCPRO User's Guide
Copyright © 2006 Elcomponent Ltd
All Rights Reserved.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Elcomponent Ltd has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this manual. However,
Elcomponent Ltd makes no warranties with respect to this documentation and disclaims any
implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Elcomponent Ltd
assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
Trademarks:
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
All other product names are copyright and may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of
their respective companies.
Symbols:
The following symbols may be used in this manual
WARNING: Failure to follow the instructions may result in personal injury or damage to the
instrument.
PC Specification:
The SPCPro has a large memory capacity and also utilises Bluetooth as its communication and
data transfer protocol. This requires a PC of the following minimum specification to make best
use of the product’s capabilities.
Windows: Vista or XP Pro
Processor: Pentium 4 or Centrino mobile 2.0 GHz+
RAM: 256MB+
Display: 32 bit colour 1024 x 768 minimum
USB:
A lower spec PC may provide satisfactory performance, but the graphing capability, particularly
with larger surveys will be slower. Download speed is dependant on the USB port spec.
01.08.12

The SPCProand its dedicated PC software package ‘PowerPackPro’ combine
new technology and years of experience into an unbeatable low-cost package.
It is the latest development of the well-proven “3 currents, 1 voltage” design,
which allows accurate 3 phase power and energy measurements to be made
safely. The unit uses 3 off AmpflexTM flex type CTs (current transformers) for
current measurement, and a standard wall socket plug for voltage
measurement and power supply. Set up and download of the SPCPro is via a
USB connection to any PC running Windows XP or later software, and all
survey data and user settings are securely saved in non-volatile ‘flash’
memory.
The instrument uses a sophisticated auto-ranging measurement technique
which ensures that excellent accuracy is maintained from 1 amp to 2000 amps
without the need for any user-setting of range, or swapping of CTs. It has
been developed with ease-of-use as a No 1 priority and is therefore simple to
set up, connect and download, assuring even non-technical or inexperienced
users of correct results from day one.
The SPCPro is a professional-grade instrument for the measurement
and logging of three-phase and single phase electrical loads. It is able
to measure the following parameters:
Voltage amplitude x 1
Current amplitude x 3
Current phase angle* x 3
*Referenced to the measured voltage
From the above data, the following parameters are presented via the
instrument’s dedicated software package ‘PowerPackPro’.
INTRODUCTION
DESCRIPTION

Voltage (1 phase)
Current (3 phases)
Power Factor (3 phase average)
kW (active power (3 phase total)
kWh (active energy) (3 phase total)
The unit is fully self-contained and is supplied with a set of permanently
connected AmpflexTM flex-type CTs, plus voltage connection and PC
connection (USB) cables. The rechargeable battery provides on-board
power for surveys of up to 2 weeks duration where mains power is not
available.
The SPCPro uses a rechargeable internal battery to provide power for
surveys where a mains voltage is not available, and to provide back-up
power in the event of a mains failure during a normal survey. The
battery will charge whenever the unit is connected to a mains supply,
but a faster charge rate is achieved with the unit switched off. It is
strongly recommended that the battery is charged for a minimum of 12
hours prior to commencing a survey. Battery condition may be checked
via the software interface.
The unit requires little or no set up prior to commencing a survey, as
the only user-definable variable is the survey storage period/survey
length. This is set via the PC software. Once the storage rate has been
set, it is not necessary to repeat the procedure for future surveys unless
the rate is changed.
Note: If the instrument does not power up as expected, or does not
communicate correctly with the PC, a GENERAL RESET may be carried
out by pressing and holding both buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds.
The unit will reboot when the buttons are released.
SET UP & USE

Logging Indicator Multi-function Display
Power Indicator
Sleep Button Reset/Start Button USB Connection Socket
Display:
On start-up the display shows the logger status, followed by
measurement values for current and voltage.
Sleep Button:
THE FRONT PANEL

The ‘sleep’ button will switch the unit into standby mode. If the unit is
recording when the button is pressed, the display will warn that the
survey will terminate, and provide a 5 second countdown to avoid
unintended operation.
Reset/Start Button:
Pressing the ‘Reset/Start’ button initiates a 5 second countdown prior
to commencing logging.
Note: any data stored in logger memory is erased when
as new survey is started.
Power Indicators:
The blue ‘power’ indicator will illuminate when the unit is connected to
a valid supply voltage (175-300 VAC). When the led is ‘off’ the SPCPro
is operating from battery power.
Logging Indication:
The red ‘logging’ indicator provides a short flash every few seconds
whilst a survey is taking place.
USB Connection Socket:
The SPCPro is connected to a PC from this port using a standard USB ‘A
to B’ interface cable (supplied).
SETTING UP
Refer to the ‘PowerPackPro’ section of this manual for detailed
instructions on setting up the SPCPro prior to commencing operation.

CONNECTING UP
Voltage Connection:
The SPCPro is supplied with its flex CTs already connected, which
means the only physical connection to be made to the instrument is the
mains supply. This should be carried out via the supplied lead to a
230VAC wall socket. If a wall socket of the correct type is not available
refer to Elcomponent for availability of alternative connection cables.
Warning: The connected voltage must not exceed 300VAC.
Exceeding the voltage will damage the instrument and
could be hazardous.
Current Connection:
The SPCPro is suitable for use on both single phase and three phase
supplies. Current measurement connections are made by clipping the
flex-type CTs around the conductors as shown in the following diagrams
and pictures.
NOTE: It is important to be able to identify cables
correctly when carrying out electrical surveys. Failure to do
so may compromise the accuracy of results obtained.
Please refer to Appendix 2 for information on UK wiring
connections. If you are working outside the UK, additional
information may be required.

L N
SUPPLY
L1 L2 L3 N
SUPPLY
1 2 3
SINGLE PHASE CONNECTION
THREE PHASE CONNECTION
230 VAC
SPC PRO
LOAD
230 VAC
SPC PRO
LOAD

NOTE: It is essential to orientate the CTs with the arrow
pointing towards the load as shown.
NOTE: It is essential that the phase cables are correctly
identified when connecting the flex CTs. (See Appendix 2
for more information on phase identification).
NOTE: It is not necessary to have a wall socket voltage
connection available to carry out a survey. The SPCPro will
continue to operate on battery power for up to two weeks
on a fully charged battery. In this case, power and energy
values are based on user-defined references.
STARTING A SURVEY
Once the unit is connected, logging is initiated by pressing and holding
the ‘Start/Reset’ button for 5 seconds. Note that the display will ‘count
down’ to the survey start. Logging is confirmed by the red ‘logging’ led
flashing every few seconds.
ENDING A SURVEY
A survey may be ended manually by pressing & holding the ‘sleep’
button.
Surveys will end automatically if the programmed survey duration is
reached, or if the power is removed and the battery life exceeded.
In all cases the recorded data will be securely saved for download.

DOWNLOADING A SURVEY
Please refer to sub-heading “Connecting the SPC Pro”in the following
section for details on data download and presentation.
OVERVIEW
The SPCPro ships complete with a dedicated PC utility program which
provides communication, set up and data presentation capabilities.
PowerPackPro is designed to run on Windows XP and later platforms.
PowerPackPro is a task-orientated program and is extremely easy to
drive, even for new users. It provides the following functionality for the
SPCPro
Logger Set Up
Logger Status Check
Logger Download
Data Configuration
Multiple Trace ‘Zoom’ Graphing
Carbon Footprint Calculation
Multi-rate Tariff costing
Alarm Reporting
Statistical Analysis
Summary Reporting
Data Export to MS Office
LOADING THE SOFTWARE
To load PowerPackPro, install the CD and follow the on-screen
instructions.
USING THE SOFTWARE

Main Toolbar
NOTE: PowerPackPro is available for free download at
www.spcloggers.com However to avoid potential driver
problems it is important to load the software on the CD
supplied with the unit, even if a downloaded copy has
already been installed.
Future software updates may then be downloaded from the website
and installed as normal.
OPERATION
Getting Started:
Open the software by clicking the desktop icon and double click
‘SPCPro Sample Survey’to show the following screen.
Network Tree
List of downloaded
surveys
Data Presentation
Window

The software ships with some sample data pre-loaded which can be
used for familiarisation of the package, and is used in the examples in
the ‘Using The Graphing Package’ section.
CONNECTING THE SPCPro
Connect the SPCPro to the PC using an A to B type USB cable, and an
unused USB port on the PC.
NOTE: Ensure that the CD supplied is present in the CD
drive when the SPCPro is first connected.
The PC will automatically recognise the SPCPro (indicated by the
“Found New Hardware” message) and will install the necessary drivers
to allow communications to be established.
NOTE: the drivers are included on the CD supplied with
the unit. This must be present in the CD drive at this stage
in the proceedings.
The successful completion of the process is indicated by a “Your
hardware is installed and ready to use” message appearing. Within a
few seconds PowerPackPro will locate the SPCPro and generate a new
message.
NOTE: If the Windows device recognition/drivers load
process fails to function if may be necessary to load the

drivers manually. See Appendix 1 for details on this
procedure.
Click OK and the logger will appear on the tree at the upper right of the
screen as shown.
Right click the SPC Icon to open the command menu
This provides four options:
‘View Logger Status’ (also available via the icon).

Battery voltage should read over 3.7 volts. If it is lower than this the
logger may shutdown if it is not connected to a mains supply.
Details of the device and any recorded data are shown, along with the
logging status indicator. Green for ‘on’ and red for ‘off’.

‘Set Up Survey’(also available via the icon.
This screen allows the following parameters to be set.
NOTE: Ensure your PC clock is correct!
NOTE: This will erase all survey data on the logger!
NOTE: Should the unit not respond a General Reset may
be required –Hold down the Reset/Sleep button together
until the unit restarts.

Storage Interval –Select the desired data storage interval from the
available options. Note that the “Interval” pane will alter to show the
storage interval at the selected survey duration, and the end time/date
of the proposed survey, based on the current time.
If the “Storage Wrap” is checked, the logger will record continuously on
a ‘loop’ basis until manually stopped. If this box is unchecked (default)
logging will stop automatically at the end of the survey when the
memory is full.
Click ‘Set Logger’ to update the unit.
‘Download Data’(also available via the icon).
Step 1
Click ‘next’ to download the data.
NOTE: This does not clear the logger memory.

Step 2
When the download reaches 100%, click ‘next’ to enter the survey
name, location and any relevant notes.
Step 3 (Voltage present)
This screen shows the results of the autodetect sequence for voltage
phase detection. In this example ph3 has been selected, and the
resulting phase power factors shown in the lower pane.
As the survey data are downloaded, the software checks the phase
angle measurements for all phases to ascertain the phase which was
used for the voltage connection (usually unknown to the operator).
The screen shows the selected voltage phase at the top, and the phase
power factor below. In exceptional circumstances (e.g. very poor actual
PF) it may be necessary to override the auto-detection. This is achieved

by unchecking the ‘Auto detect’ box and clicking on the desired voltage
phase.
Note that the phase power factors are automatically adjusted to reflect
the revised selection.
Step 3 (Voltage not present only)
This screen appears if the software detects that no voltage was
measured consistently through the survey (e.g. battery powered
survey), and manual input is required.
Enter the supply voltage as a phase to neutral value. If the survey was
carried out on a 3 phase 3 wire system (where no neutral is present) it
is necessary to enter the value from phase to earth. On standard 3ph
systems the phase to neutral value may be derived from the phase to
phase value by dividing it by √3. E.g. 400V÷√3 = 230V

Step 4 (Voltage not present only)
Select a load type, or enter the power factor of the load if known.
STEP 4/5
Select a tariff from the drop down menu for use in cost calculations.

NOTE: PowerPackPro is pre-loaded with default single
rate and day/night tariffs. Other tariffs may be added by
the user (see page 26).
Click ‘finish’ to open a graph showing the survey results
PowerPackPro will automatically open a graph after a survey has been
successfully downloaded. Graphs may also be opened by clicking on
the relevant survey in the survey list, or via the icon.
Depending on the length of the downloaded survey, the default
settings will create a graph of the entire survey, or in the case of longer
surveys create a graph using a 30 minute data interval with an initial
view of a 1 week period. These settings may be altered manually if
desired. PowerPackPro is shipped with a SPCPro sample survey pre-
loaded which is used in the following pages.
The above window shows the default view.
USING THE GRAPHING PACKAGE