PCE Instruments PCE-GPA 50 User manual

© PCE Instruments
PCE-GPA 50 Power Analyser
User Manual
User manuals in various languages (français,
italiano, español, português, nederlands, türk, polski,
русский, 中文) can be found by using our
product search on: www.pce-instruments.com
Last change: 4 September 2023
v1.0
English

© PCE Instruments
Contents
1Safety notes........................................................................................... 1
2Specifications........................................................................................2
3Delivery scope.......................................................................................3
4System description............................................................................... 3
4.1 Description of keys / switches........................................................................................... 4
5Operation ............................................................................................... 4
5.1 Measurement preparation ................................................................................................ 4
5.2 Measurement..................................................................................................................11
5.3 Logger function ...............................................................................................................20
5.4 Freezing the current measured values ............................................................................20
5.5 Backlight / Exit.................................................................................................................21
6Read SD card.......................................................................................21
7Battery replacement............................................................................21
8Plug-in mains adapto..........................................................................21
9RS232 interface ...................................................................................22
10 Contact.................................................................................................23
11 Disposal ...............................................................................................23

© PCE Instruments
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1 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you usethe device for the first time. The
device may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel.
Damage or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual are excluded from our liability and
not covered by our warranty.
•The device must only be used as described inthis instructionmanual. If used otherwise,
this can cause dangerous situations for the user and damage to the meter.
•The instrument may only be used if the environmental conditions (temperature, relative
humidity, …) are within the ranges stated in the technical specifications. Do not expose
the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.
•Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations.
•The case should only be opened by qualified PCE Instruments personnel.
•Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.
•Never touch live components during the measurement. There is a danger to life.
•Never touch the bare measuring tips, otherwise electric shocks may occur.
•Before each measurement, make sure that the correct measurement function is set
and that the test leads are connected correctly.
•Resistance, capacitance and temperature measurements as well as diode tests (if
any) must only be carried out in a de-energised state.
•Before replacing the batteries or the fuses, all test leads must be removed from the
meter.
•You must not make any technical changes to the device.
•The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Use only pH-neutral cleaner,
no abrasives or solvents.
•The device must only be used with accessories from PCE Instruments or equivalent.
•Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If any damage is visible, do not
use the device.
•Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.
•The measurement range as stated in the specifications must not be exceeded under
any circumstances.
•Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to the device and injuries to
the user.
We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this manual.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of
business.

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2 Specifications
Measuring function
Measurement
range
Resolution
Accuracy
AC voltage
10 ... 600 V
0.1 V
±(0.5 % ... 3 digits)
AC V
peak-peak
0.1 V
±(5% ... 30 digits)
Alternating current
5 ... 2000 A
<100 A: 0.01 A
<200 A: ±(1 %+ 0.5 A)
AC A
<1000 A: 0.1 A
>200 A: ±(1 % + 5 A)
peak-peak
>1000 A: 1 A
±(5 % + 30 digits)
Power factor (PF)
0 ... 1
0.001
± 0.04
Phase angle
-180 ° ... 180 °
0.1 °
± 1° x PF
Frequency
45 ... 65 Hz
0.1 Hz
± 0.2 Hz
Active, reactive &
apparent power
0 ... 9.999 M
(W / VA / VAR)
0.1 ... 0.001 M
(W / VA / VAR)
±(1.5 % + 20 digits)
Active, reactive &
apparent energy
0k ... 9.999 M
(WH / VAH /
VARH)
0.001k ... 0.001 M
(WH / VAH /
VARH)
±(1.5 % + 20 digits)
Harmonics AC V
1. ... 20. order
0.1 V
±(2 % + 5 digits)
21. ... 50. order
0.1 V
±(4 % + 5 digits)
Harmonics AC A
1. ... 20. order
<100 A: 0.01 A
±(2 % + 5 digits)
Alternating current
<1000 A: 0.1 A
21. ... 50. order
>1000 A: 1 A
±(4 % + 5 digits)
Harmonics AC V %
1. ... 20. order
0.10 %
±(2 % + 10 digits)
21. ... 50. order
0.10 %
±(4 % + 20 digits)
Harmonics AC A %
1. ... 20. order
0.10 %
±(2 % + 10 digits)
21. ... 50. order
0.10 %
±(4 % + 20 digits)
Absolute harmonic
distortion
0 ... 20 %
0.10 %
±(2 % + 5 digits)
20.1 ... 100 %
0.10 %
±(6% + 10 digits)
Temperature K-type
thermocouple
-100 ... 199.9 °C
0.1 °C
±(1 % + 1 °C)
200 ... 1300 °C
1 °C
±(1 % + 2 °C)
Display
graphic LCD
AC V input impedance
10 MOhm
Frequency range of current clamp
40 Hz ... 1 kHz
Calibrated frequency of current clamp
45 ... 65 Hz
Overload protection
AC V: 720 V RMS
AC A: 2100 A
Data memory
micro SD card
Display refresh rate
1 second
Storage rate of data memory
2 ... 7200 s
Storage format
XLS
Interface
serial interface for live display on PC
(SOFT-LUT-USB is required)
Power supply
2 x 1.5 V AA battery
9 V / 800 mA mains adaptor
Power consumption
60 mA DC
Clamp opening
50 mm
Operating conditions
0 ... 50 °C / 32 ... 122 °F, max. 80 % RH
Weight
approx. 595 g / 1.3 lbs
Dimensions
280 x 106 x 47 mm / 11 x 4.2 x 1.9 in

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3 Delivery scope
1 x current clamp PCE-GPA 50
1 x set of test leads
2 x alligator clips
1 x micro SD memory card
1 x mains adaptor 9 V / 800 mA
2 x 1.5 V AA battery
1 x carrying bag
1 x user manual
4 System description
①
Measuring clamp
⑩
“◀" key
②
Opening key for measuring clamp
⑪
“▼" key
③
Display
⑫
“▶" key
④
“FUNC" key
⑬
Rotary switch
⑤
“HOLD" key
⑭
Socket RS232 interface
⑥
“REC" key
⑮
Socket DC 9V mains adaptor
⑦
“ENTER/SETUP" key
⑯
Sockets test leads
⑧
“▲" key
⑰
Battery compartment
⑨
“EXIT" key
⑱
SD card slot in battery compartment

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4.1 Description of keys / switches
Rotary switch Select the measuring function
Meter on / off
“FUNC" key Select the display indication
“HOLD" key Freeze the current measured values
“REC" key Record the measured values on the SD card
"Setup" key Open the settings menu
Confirm a selection
“EXIT" key Exit the settings menu
Backlight on / off
"▲" key Move cursor up in the settings menu
"▼" key Move cursor down in the settings menu
“◀" key Move cursor to the left in the settings menu
Harmonic analysis to the left
“▶" key Move the cursor to the right in the settings menu
Harmonic analysis to the right
5 Operation
5.1 Measurement preparation
5.1.1 Inserting the battery and SD card
•Loosen the two fastening screws of the battery compartment at the rear side.
•Open the cover and insert two batteries (1.5 V AA) and a micro SD card.
•Close the compartment and fasten the screws.
5.1.2 Switch meter on/off
•Turn the rotary switch to the "3 phase" or "1 phase" position to switch on the meter.
The meter shows the following during the start-up phase:
•After using the meter, turn the rotary switch back to the "OFF" position.

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5.1.3 Start screen
The flashing "NO DISK" indicator at the bottom right indicates that the SD card is missing or not
inserted correctly.
During the brief display of "SD CHECK", it is read and checked.
5.1.4 Settings menu
Folder Name Storage folder selection
You can choose between 10 storage folders: WTA01 ... WTA10
File Name File name selection
You can choose between 50 file names
REC Date Date / time of last storage
Sampling Time Memory interval
Setting the memory interval between 2 and 7200 seconds
Delete File Delete file
Deleting saved files on the SD card
SD Format Format SD card
Format the SD card
PT Voltage transformer setting 1:1 to 1000:1
Beep Control tone
Switching on/off the control tone
MD Peak load interval
Auto Power Off Automatic power off
Enabling/disabling automatic power off
Trans Ref Nominal voltage as reference for overvoltage detection
SVDP Limit value setting for overvoltage detection
Decimal Decimal
Decimal point setting USA =. / Europe =,
RS232 Out Sel RS232 interface output options
Selection of the values transmitted through the interface (max. 9 of 67)
Freq. Frequency
Selection between 50 Hz, 60 Hz or Auto
Temp. Unit Temperature unit
Selection between °C and °F
Start Time Start time recording
Setting the start time of data storage
Stop Time Stop time recording
Setting the end time of recording
Year Year
Setting current year
Month Month
Setting current month

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Day Day
Setting current day
Hour Hour
Setting current hour
Minute Minute
Setting current minute
Second Second
Setting current second
5.1.5 Settings before the measurement
Press the "SETUP" key to enter the settings menu.
The current adjustable parameter flashes.
5.1.5.1 Selection of memory location
•Select "Folder Name" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "Folder Name" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "WTAxx" flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select the desired memory location WTA01 ... WTA10.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "Folder Name" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.

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5.1.5.2 Memory number selection
•Select "File Name" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "File Name" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. Depending on the position of the rotary switch, one of the
following memory pre-numbers flashes.
o1P201001 1P2 single-phase measurement
o3P301001 : 3P3 three-phase measurement
oHAV01001 : HAV harmonic voltage measurement
oHAA01001 : HAA harmonic .current measurement
oSIN01001 : SIN waveform current and voltage
oTRA01001 : TRA harmonic measurement
oTMP01001 : TMP temperature measurement
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select the desired memory number, e. g. 1P201001, 1P201050.
Hold down the keys for fast scrolling.
NO FILE below the memory number indicates a free memory number.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "File Name" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.
5.1.5.3 Storage interval
•Select "Sampling Time" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "Sampling Time" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. The currently set storage interval flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select the desired storage interval.
Press and hold the keys for fast scrolling.
Press the ◀or ▶key. "Sampling Time" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲key to move to the
previous setting parameter.
5.1.5.4 Delete memory contents
•Select "Delete File" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "Delete File" flashes.
•Press and hold the ◀or ▶key for 2 seconds. "Y”or “N" is displayed. "N" flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select "Y" to delete memory or "N" in order not to delete
memory.
•Press the "SETUP / ENTER" key to confirm the selection. "Delete File" flashes.
Or hold down the ◀or ▶key for 2 seconds. No action is performed and "Delete File"
flashes again.
Attention! If "Y" is selected, all data on the SD card will be deleted.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.

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5.1.5.5 Format SD card
•Select "SD Format" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "SD Format" flashes.
•Press and hold the ◀or ▶key for 2 seconds. "Y or N" is displayed. "N" flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select "Y" to format SD card or "N" in order not to format SD
card.
•Press the "SETUP / ENTER" key to confirm the selection. "SD Format”flashes.
Or press and hold the ◀or ▶button for 2 seconds. No action is taken and "SD
Format" flashes again.
Caution! If "Y" is selected, all data on the SD card is deleted and the card is
formatted.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.
5.1.5.6 Voltage transformer ratio setting
•Select "PT" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "PT" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. The currently set transformer ratio flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select the transformer ratio.
Press and hold the keys for fast scrolling.
Press the ◀or ▶key. "PT" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.
5.1.5.7 Control tone
•Select "Beep" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "Beep" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "ON" or "OFF" flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select "OFF" to disable the control tome or "ON" to enable the
control tone.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "Beep" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.
5.1.5.8 Peak load interval
•Select "MD" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "MD" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. The currently set interval time flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select the desired interval time.
Press and hold the keys for fast scrolling.
Press the ◀or ▶key. "MD" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.

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5.1.5.9 Automatic power off
•Select "Auto Power Off" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "Auto Power Off" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "Y" for Yes flashes.
•Use the ▲▼ keys to choose between "Y" for Yes or "N" for No.
Attention! If Yes is selected, the meter is automatically switched off after 10 minutes
to save battery power.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "Auto Power Off" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.
5.1.5.10 Rated voltage overvoltage detection
•Select "Trans Ref" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "Trans Ref" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. The currently set nominal voltage value flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select the desired nominal voltage value.
Press and hold the keys for fast scrolling.
Press the ◀or ▶key. "Trans Ref" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.
5.1.5.11 Limit value setting overvoltage
•Select "SDVP" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "SDVP" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. The currently set percentage value flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select the desired percentage value.
Deviation from the nominal voltage value in per cent
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "SDVP" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.
5.1.5.12 Decimal point
•Select "Decimal" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "Decimal" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "Euro (,)" or "USA (.)" flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select between "Euro (,)" or "USA (.)".
Attention! Adjust the setting to the country setting of your PC. If the setting is not
correct, the data will be interpreted incorrectly by your PC.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "Auto Power Off" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.

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5.1.5.13 RS323 interface output options
•Select "RS232 Out Sel" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "RS232 Out Sel" flashes.
•Press and hold the ◀or ▶key for 2 seconds. 4 pages are available for you to select
the transferable parameters.
•Use the ▲ ▼ ◀▶keys to select the parameters to be output via the interface.
•Press the "SETUP / ENTER" key to confirm the selection.
The selected parameters flash. The number of selected parameters is shown in the
upper left corner of the display. When "Full" is displayed, the max. 9 transferable
parameters have been exhausted.
•By holding the ▲ key for 2 s, you can delete the complete selection.
•To switch quickly between pages, press and hold the ▼ key for 2 s. The page number
flashes in the upper right corner. Use the ◀▶keys to select the pages. Press and
hold the ▼ key for 2 s to return to the standard selection mode.
•Press and hold the ◀key until "RS232 Out Sel" flashes. The selected parameters are
displayed below "RS232 Out Sel".
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.
5.1.5.14 Frequency
•Select "Freq." with the ▲ ▼ keys. "Freq." flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. The set range flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select the desired range.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "Freq." flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.
5.1.5.15 Temperature unit
•Select "Temp. Unit" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "Temp. unit" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. The set temperature unit flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select the desired temperature unit.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "Temp. unit" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.
5.1.5.16 Recording time (time slot)
•Select "Start Time" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "Start Time" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. The hour entry (recording start time) flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ ◀▶keys to select the start time in hours and minutes.
Press and hold the ▲ ▼ keys for fast scrolling.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "Start Time" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to enter the time for the end of recording. "Stop Time" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key.The hour entry (end of recording) flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ ◀▶keys to select the time in hours and minutes.
Press and hold the ▲ ▼ keys for fast scrolling.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "Stop Time" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.

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5.1.5.17 Date / Time
•Select "Year" with the ▲ ▼ keys. "Year" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. The year flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select the current year.
Press and hold the ▲ ▼ keys for fast scrolling.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "Year" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to enter the month. "Month" flashes.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. The month number flashes.
•Use the ▲ ▼ keys to select the current month.
Press and hold the ▲ ▼ keys for fast scrolling.
•Press the ◀or ▶key. "Month" flashes.
•Press the ▼ key to go to the day entry. "Date" flashes.
•When entering the number of the day, hour, minute and second, proceed in the same
way as when entering the year and month.
•Press the ▼ key to move to the next setting parameter or the ▲ key to move to the
previous setting parameter.
You can exit the settings menu from any position with the "EXIT" key.
5.2 Measurement
5.2.1 Single-phase measurement
•Turn the rotary switch to the position "1 phase".
•Use the test leads to contact the L1 and N conductors as described in the connection
diagramme.
•Enclose the conductor L1 with the measuring clamp.
Wiring diagramme
•With the "FUNC" key you can call up 4 pages with the following measured values.
•Disable automatic power off for longer lasting measurements.

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Page 1
Voltage (V), current (A), power factor (PF) active power (KW).
Page 2
Active power (KW) and apparent power (KVA) from the peak load interval (left side).
The current apparent power (KVA) and the current reactive power (KVAR).
Page 3
Energy measurement (PFh, kWh, KVAh, kvarh)
Page 4
Graphical representation

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5.2.2 3-phase measurement symmetrical network
•Turn the rotary switch to position "3 phase".
•Use the test leads to contact the conductors L1 and L3 as described in the wiring
diagramme.
•Enclose the conductor L2 with the measuring clamp.
Wiring diagramme
•With the "FUNC" key you can call up 4 pages with the following measured values.
•Disable automatic power off for longer lasting measurements.

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Page 1
Voltage (V), current (A), power factor (PF) Active power (KW).
Page 2
Active power (KW) and apparent power (KVA) from the peak load interval (left side).
The current apparent power (KVA) and the current reactive power (KVAR)
Page 3
Energy measurement (PFh, kWh, KVAh, kvarh)
Page 4
Graphical representation

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5.2.3 Reset peak load value
•Call up the following page in measuring mode with the "FUNC" key. Press and hold the
"EXIT" key for more than 6 seconds.
5.2.4 Reset hourly output
•Call up the following page in measuring mode with the "FUNC" key. Press and hold the
"EXIT" key for more than 6 seconds.

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5.2.5 Measurement of voltage harmonics
•Turn the rotary switch to position " ".
•Use the test leads to contact the L1 and N conductors as described in the wiring
diagramme.
•
Wiring diagram
•With the "FUNC" key you can call up the following 2 pages.
Voltage harmonics with and without display of the waveform.

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•Press and hold the ▶key for more than 2 s to switch between the voltage harmonic 1
... 25 and 26 ... 50 ranges.
•Use the ◀and ▶keys to select between the individual voltage harmonics.
5.2.6 Measurement of current harmonics
•Turn the rotary switch to position " ".
•Enclose the conductor to be measured with the measuring clamp.
•Please ensure the correct frequency setting in the settings menu 5.1.5.14 or contact L1
and N with the test leads.
Wiring diagramme

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•With the "FUNC" key you can call up the following 2 pages:
Current harmonic with and without display of the waveform.
•Press and hold the ▶key for more than 2 s to switch between the current harmonic
ranges 1 ...25 and 26 ... 50.
•Use the ◀and ▶keys to select between the individual current harmonics.
5.2.7 Voltage and current waveform graph
•Turn the rotary switch to the " " position.
•Enclose the conductor to be measured with the measuring clamp.
•Contact L1 and N with the test leads.
•With the "FUNC" key you can call up the following 2 pages: