Fluke 43B User guide

®
Fluke 43B
Power Quality Analyzer
Applications Guide
April 2001
© 2001 Fluke Corporation, All rights reserved. Printed in The Netherlands.
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

Fluke 43
Applications Guide
Table of Contents
Chapter Title Page
Working Safely.............................................................................. 1
How to use this Manual................................................................. 2
Conventions Used.................................................................... 2
Resetting the Fluke 43B................................................................ 4
1 Basic Measurements.................................................................. 5
Introduction................................................................................... 5
Measuring Line Voltage................................................................ 6
Measuring Current........................................................................ 7
Line Voltage and Current Simultaneously..................................... 8
Measuring Line Voltage and Current ....................................... 8
Recording Line Voltage and Current........................................ 9
Testing Continuity......................................................................... 11
Measuring Resistance .................................................................. 12
Measuring Capacitance................................................................ 13
Testing a Diode............................................................................. 14
2 Receptacle Branch Circuits....................................................... 15
Troubleshooting Electrical Distribution Systems........................... 15
Detecting Transients (Phase to Neutral)....................................... 16
Monitoring Rapid Voltage Fluctuations......................................... 19
Measuring Voltage Harmonics...................................................... 21
Measuring Current Harmonics...................................................... 22
Measuring the Load on a Transformer.......................................... 24
Recording the Load on a Transfomer ...................................... 26
Measuring K-factor........................................................................ 29
3 Lighting Loads............................................................................ 31
Introduction................................................................................... 31
Measuring Current Harmonics...................................................... 32
Measuring Power on Single Phase Loads.................................... 33
Measuring Surge Current.............................................................. 34

Contents (continued)
iii
4 Motor Loads................................................................................ 37
Introduction.................................................................................. 37
Induction Motors........................................................................... 38
Checking Voltage Imbalance .................................................. 38
Checking Current and Current Imbalance............................... 40
Measuring 3-Phase Balanced Power...................................... 42
Measuring Peak and Inrush Current ....................................... 44
Measuring Power Factor of 3-Phase Motors........................... 47
Grounded Y-Connection with Balanced Load..................... 47
Delta connection or floating systems.................................. 48
Measuring Voltage Harmonics................................................ 50
Adjustable Speed Drives.............................................................. 51
Checking Current on Phases .................................................. 51
Measuring Fundamental of Motor Voltage .............................. 52
Measuring Frequency of Motor Current................................... 53
5 Scope Mode................................................................................ 55
Introduction.................................................................................. 55
Basic One Channel Measurement............................................... 56
Set Up Selection .......................................................................... 57
Viewing Signal Details.................................................................. 59
Triggering..................................................................................... 61
Return to Auto Mode.................................................................... 62
Dual Channel Measurement ........................................................ 63
Single Mode................................................................................. 67
6 Handling Screens and Data....................................................... 67
Introduction.................................................................................. 67
Saving Screens............................................................................ 68
Viewing and Deleting screens...................................................... 68
Printing Screens........................................................................... 70
Creating Reports.......................................................................... 71
Recording Harmonics over Time.................................................. 72
7 Definitions................................................................................... 75
Index

Working Safely
1
Working Safely
Warning
To avoid electric shock and/or equipment damage, use caution
when connecting test leads to live components. The jaws of
alligator clips can create a short circuit between closely spaced
live parts. Avoid making connections to feeder conductors or
bus bars at elevated potentials. Whenever possible, make
connections to the output side of a circuit breaker, which can
provide better short circuit protection.
•Follow all legal requirements. Follow all instructions in the manuals. Obey
posted instructions.
•Never assume that a circuit is de-energized. Check it first.
•Always set up the measurement first, then connect the test leads to the
circuit.
•Use only test leads and test lead adapters supplied with the Fluke 43B
(or safety-designed equivalents as specified in the accessory list,
see Chapter 2 of the Users Manual).
•Never use adapters or test leads that have exposed metal parts or
insufficient voltage rating.
•Remove all test leads that are not in use.
•Make connections to the instrument first, before connecting leads to a live
circuit.
•Connect the ground lead first, then the voltage leads and the current probe.
Disconnect in reverse order.
•Route your test leads carefully.

Fluke 43B
Applications Manual
2
How to use this Manual
The applications in this manual are grouped in
five chapters.
Chapter 1 contains basic measurements.
Start with this chapter to get acquainted with
the Fluke 43B and with this manual.
Chapter 2 contains applications related to
problems with receptacle loads and
transformers.
Chapter 3 contains applications related to
lighting systems.
Chapter 4 focusses completely on motors and
motor drives.
Chapter 5 explains the scope functions.
To find an application related to the functions
in the main menu, look up the page numbers
in the figure.
Conventions Used
GGround
NNeutral
1Phase 1
2Phase 2
3Phase 3
VOLTS / AMPS / HERTZ
Pages: 6,7,8,38,40,51,53
POWER
Pages: 24,33,47,48
HARMONICS
Pages: 21,22,29,32,50,52

How to use this Manual
3
SAGS & SWELLS
Pages: 9,19
OHMS / CONTINUITY / CAPACITANCE
Pages: 11,12,13,14
TRANSIENTS
Page: 16
RECORD
Page: 26
INRUSH CURRENT
Pages: 34,44
SCOPE
Page: 55

Fluke 43B
Applications Manual
4
Resetting the Fluke 43B
To restore the Fluke 43B to its factory settings and return to the opening screen,
reset the Fluke 43B. Resetting does not clear screen memories.
Turn the Fluke 43B off and proceed as follows:
1Press and hold.
2Press and release.
The Fluke 43B turns on, and you should hear a double beep, indicating that the
reset operation was successful.
Figure 1. Resetting the Fluke 43B
(3) Release the HOLD key.
The opening screen with default settings
appears on the display.
Note
To learn how to setup the Fluke 43B,
see: “Introducing the Fluke 43B” in
Chapter 1 of the Users Manual.
4Continue.

5
Chapter 1
Basic Measurements
Introduction
This section provides easy-to-do measurements which you can perform almost
anywhere. Begin with these examples to get started with the Fluke 43B.
Note
It is a good idea to reset the Fluke 43B before you start a new
application. This way, you always start from the same setup.

Fluke 43B
Applications Manual
6
Measuring Line Voltage
Determine whether the voltage level, voltage waveform, and frequency from an
outlet are correct.
1Open the main menu.
2
3Make connections as shown below:
The rms voltage should be close to the nominal voltage, for example 120V
or 230V.
The waveform should be smooth and sinusoidal.
The frequency should be close to 50 or 60 Hz.
The Crest Factor CF is an indication of the amount of distortion. A high
Crest factor means high distortion.
Note
Nominal voltages and frequencies differ by country.
VOLTS
/
AMPS
/
HERTZ





Basic Measurements
Measuring Current 1
7
Measuring Current
Determine how the current from an outlet is supplied to a load, in this example,
a hair dryer.
1Open the main menu.
2
3Make connections as shown below:
4Turn on the hair dryer.
When the hair dryer is turned on, the current from the outlet increases.
Notice that without test leads connected, the Fluke 43B measures the
frequency of the current signal.
VOLTS
/
AMPS
/
HERTZ



Fluke 43B
Applications Manual
8
Line Voltage and Current Simultaneously
Measuring Line Voltage and Current
Determine the influence of the load current on the voltage.
1Open the main menu.
2
3Make connections as shown below:
The rms voltage should stay within reasonable limits.
The current increases when the copier is warming up or making a copy.
Note
In stead of a copier, you can also use other loads of 1000W or more.
VOLTS
/
AMPS
/
HERTZ



Basic Measurements
Line Voltage and Current Simultaneously 1
9
Recording Line Voltage and Current
By recording the voltage and current, you can establish a possible relation
between the two. For recording voltage and current, always use
SAGS & SWELLS. Basically it does the same as the RECORD key, but it can record
faster fluctuations. Use the RECORD key for all other combinations of readings
you want to record.
Use the copier again and proceed as follows:
1Open the main menu.
2
Select the desired record time:
3
4
Note
Choosing shorter recording times makes it easier to see details of
events on the screen.


SAGS & SWELLS
RECORD TIME
4 minutes 

Fluke 43B
Applications Manual
10
5
The Fluke 43B starts recording sags and
swells.
Wait for 4 minutes... or press the HOLD key to
stop the recording.
6Move the cursor over a sag or
swell.
In this example, the high peak current from the copier caused the voltage
to drop (voltage sag).
In general, if you find voltage sags, the next step is to look for devices
which may cause them. Poor connections or long conductors increase the
effect.
7Press SAVE to store all data shown on the screen. You can use
VIEW /DELETE SCREENS later to analyze the data.
START


Basic Measurements
Testing Continuity 1
11
Testing Continuity
Check whether a fuse is broken or open by checking continuity. In general, you
can check any circuit for open connection.
1Open the main menu.
2
3Select (continuity)
4Make connections as shown below:
When the Fluke 43B beeps and shows a beep-icon, the fuse is closed.
When the Fluke 43B shows OL (Over Load), the fuse is open.
Note
When the resistance is high (>30
Ω ), an open circuit is indicated,
otherwise the circuit is considered to be closed (0 - 30
Ω ).
OHMS
/
CONTINUITY
/
CAPACITANCE


Fluke 43B
Applications Manual
12
Measuring Resistance
Measure the resistance of a relay coil (or a resistor).
1Open the main menu.
2
3Select (ohm)
4Make connections as shown below:
Observe the resistance. A typical reading on the display should be
between about 150 and 500Ω. If the reading seems too high, test a known
good device and compare the measured values of both devices.
OHMS
/
CONTINUITY
/
CAPACITANCE


Basic Measurements
Measuring Capacitance 1
13
Measuring Capacitance
Measure the capacitance of a capacitor (≤500 µF).
1Open the main menu.
2
3Select (capacitance)
4Make connections as shown below:
Observe the capacitance. The display shows the measured value of the
capacitor. Compare the measured value with the value indicated on the
capacitor.
OHMS
/
CONTINUITY
/
CAPACITANCE


Fluke 43B
Applications Manual
14
Testing a Diode
Check a diode in both forward direction and reverse direction. Useful for
checking whether the diodes in a rectifier are still intact.
1Open the main menu.
2
3Select (diode)
4Make connections as shown below:
Observe the voltage in forward direction (A). It should read about 0.5V.
Now turn the diode in reverse direction (B) and look at the display again.
•The Fluke 43B should display OL (Over Load), indicating a very high
resistance. If not, the diode is faulty and should be replaced.
OHMS
/
CONTINUITY
/
CAPACITANCE
A
B


15
Chapter 2
Receptacle Branch Circuits
Troubleshooting Electrical Distribution
Systems
The most efficient way to troubleshoot electrical systems, is to begin at the
load and work towards the building’s service entrance. Measurements are
taken along the way to isolate faulty components or loads. This chapter
describes typical measurements for troubleshooting problems on receptacle
branch circuits.
Figure 2. Distribution System: Receptacle Loads

Fluke 43B
Applications Manual
16
Detecting Transients (Phase to Neutral)
Disturbances in a distribution system may cause malfunctioning of many types
of devices. For example, resetting computers or false tripping breakers. Events
occur occasionally, making it necessary to monitor the system for a period of
time to find them.
You may look for voltage transients (impulses or spikes) when, for example,
computers are resetting spontaneously.
1Open the main menu.
2
3
A transient is detected when it
crosses the boundaries of the
waveform.
Select a voltage change of 50%.
If the normal rms voltage is 120V, transients
which deviate more than 60V from the normal
voltage, are detected. (50% of 120V = 60V).
4
TRANSIENTS


VOLTAGE CHANGE (%rms)
50 % 