PMI Tensor User manual

Tensor Recorder User’s Manual
Power Monitors, Inc.

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©2020 Power Monitors, Inc. All
Rights Reserved
In no event shall the copyright owner or contributors be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including but
not limited to, procurement of substitute goods or services). In no event shall the
copyright owner or contributors be liable for any business interruption or loss of use,
data, or profits however caused. In no event shall the copyright owner or
contributors be liable for any business interruption or loss of use, data, or profits on
any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including
negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this software, even if
advised of the possibility of such damage.
Contents are subject to change without notice. Screenshots used for illustrative
purposes are the property of Power Monitors, Inc.
Help us improve our manual. Your comments and suggestions are important to us.
Please contact us at the email [e-mail]

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Table of Contents
Safety Issues 5
Introduction 6
Available Models 6
Getting Started with the Tensor Recorder 6
Contents of the Tensor Recorder Package 7
Installing the PC software (ProVision®) 7
PQ Canvass Overview 8
Web Administration for the Wi-Fi Tensor 9
Tensor Recorder Operation Overview 11
Tensor Recording Options 11
PC Communications with the Tensor Recorder 12
Wi-Fi communications 12
Cellular communications 13
Connect to ProVision 13
Identification 14
Initializing in ProVision 14
Initializing in PQ Canvass 15
Installation 16
Downloading Data 17
Analyzing Data 18
Viewing Live Data 19
What the Tensor Records 20
Triggered Record Types 20
Non-triggered Record Types 20
What to Record 21
Additional Resources 22
Understanding Recorder Data 22
Calibration 22
Technical Support 22
Appendix 1: PQ Canvass 23
PQ Canvass - Setting Alert Notifications 24
Trigger Thresholds 29
PQ Canvass Alert Example 32

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Table of Contents (continued)
Appendix 2: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 33
Initializing: How do I initialize my Tensor recorder? 34
How do I activate my cell Tensor data plan? 35
How do I connect my PC to a Wi-Fi Tensor? 36
How do I add a Wi-Fi connection to Provision? 36
How do I connect ProVision to my cell or Wi-Fi Tensor? 36
How do I join a Tensor to a new Wi-Fi network? 36
Appendix 3: Troubleshooting 38
Appendix 4: Warranty Clause 39
FCC Warning 40

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Safety Issues
Please read before installing the Tensor Recorder.
150 V CAT ll, UL listed - UL 60730-1/CSA E60730-1 Indoor Use Only , Max Load 1875 VA
Operating Temperature: -20° F to +135° F
The Tensor Recorder Voltage contains dangerous voltage levels during operation. Do not disassemble the
Recorder. THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
Do not install or operate near open bodies of water.
The Tensor is intended for use with a standard, indoor, 15 amp 120VAC receptacles.
Do not use outdoors or in a wet location (as determined by the National Electrical Code).
Although the Tensor Recorder Voltage has been designed and built to be as safe as possible, great care should
always be exercised during operation and installation. The National Electric Code should always be followed.
The Tensor convenience receptacle is rated at 15 amps (continuous), for use with a 15 amp branch circuit. As
per the National Electric Code, the maximum allowable load on this receptacle is 12 amps. When the Tensor is
plugged into a 120VAC receptacle, this voltage is present on the convenience outlet. Use the same caution
with this convenience outlet as with any 120VAC source.
Do not use this outlet where normal breaker operation could cause a loss of power to life critical equipment or
cause a dangerous situation to exist.
A three-wire to two-wire isolation adapter may be used with the Tensor into a two-wire receptacle with no
earth ground. If this is done, the ground on the convenience receptacle is not connected to earth ground. Do
not plug devices which require an earth ground into the convenience receptacle if this grounding scheme has
been defeated.
The Tensor is not designed for use with medical equipment or situations where life-critical equipment is being
used. The convenience outlet in the Tensor is not a hospital grade receptacle.
Do not use near heat sources such as radiators and electric heaters.

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Introduction
We founded Power Monitors Incorporated (PMI) to provide state-of-the-art, easy-to-use, and affordable
electronic test equipment to the power industry. Our products have been developed by working directly with
electric utilities to determine their specific needs. The Tensor Voltage Recorders have also been developed by
following these same principles. The Tensor Recorder combines the powerful, high technology voltage analysis
capabilities of our larger Voltage Recorders with precisely targeted end use specifically by plugging directly in a
receptacle.
The Tensor Voltage Recorder was developed for diagnosing electric power problems at the outlet. The unit
plugs into any standard 15 amp US wall receptacle, to detect outages, sags, swells, and flicker. The Tensor can
record 2-Channels of voltage and 1-Channel of Current. Detectable voltage range is 0 to 140 volts RMS, with a
sampling rate of 256 samples per cycle, allowing the measurement and recording of severe voltage variations
on 120VAC single-phase lines. Inside its lightweight enclosure, state-of-the-art electronics measure and record
true RMS line to neutral and neutral to ground voltage and load current.
Each unit has been individually calibrated to ensure high accuracy and stability. With its voltage and current
measurement and digital processing circuitry based on the established Voltage Recorder line, the Tensor
Recorder provides a voltage measurement processing, and reporting system with a proven performance
history.
In summary, the Tensor Recorder Voltage was created with your needs in mind. It is perfect for analyzing
voltage disturbances at the consumer level. After looking through this manual and using the Tensor Recorder,
please contact us if you have any questions about its operation, ideas for new features, or ideas for additional
products. We want you to be happy with this product and would appreciate any input that could help us
develop products to meet your future needs.
Available Models
There are the available models of the Tensor.
The label on the front of the recorder identifies the model of the unit.
•Tensor with Wi-Fi Wireless Technology
•Tensor with Cellular Modem
Getting Started with the Tensor Recorder
The Tensor Recorder is an electronic recording device which plugs into a standard 15 amp receptacle. The unit
measures and records 2-Channels of voltages: from line to neutral, and from neutral to ground as well as load
current. The Tensor Recorder powers itself from the 120 volt line, consuming up to 4 watts of power.
Additionally the Tensor can operate for up to 5 minutes if power is lost. After recording, the data can be
downloaded to ProVision, the PC data analysis software, over a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. With ProVision,
data may be graphed, turned into reports, and exported to spreadsheets. The Tensor, if purchased with a
cellular modem allows data to be sent to the PQ Canvass website for viewing and data analysis. Additionally
the Tensor will record Temperature, Humidity and Barometric Pressure.

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Contents of the Tensor Recorder Package
The Tensor Recorder is packaged with the following items:
• The Tensor Recorder
If any of these items are missing, please call PMI immediately.
Installing the PC software (ProVision®)
ProVision® is Power Monitors’ Power Quality data analysis software. Sophisticated
tools and advanced communications greatly expand the ability to record, manage and analyze
power quality data.
The easy-to-use graphical user interface is designed to get both the novice and the advanced
user up to speed quickly.
ProVision can be installed on Microsoft Window operating systems and is free to users.
ProVision software and the USB driver (driver not needed for the Tensor model) software
are both available for download on the website: https://powermonitors.com/downloads (select Software).
The ProVision Wizard default settings are sufficient for most installations.
Graphs and reports recorded by the Tensor and available in ProVision and the PQ Canvass website include but
are not limited to:
• Interval graph and histogram analysis for RMS voltage, RMS current, power factor, displacement
power factor, real power, apparent power, reactive power, volt-amps, frequency, phase angle,
and waveform capture
•Power outage report
• Abnormal voltage report
• Current or voltage out of limits report
• Significant change report
• Event change report
• Flicker Settings - IEEE 1453/ IEC 61000-4-15 and IEEE std. 141
• Voltage and Current Harmonics to the 51st harmonic

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PQ Canvass Overview
Power Monitors has released a new cloud-based software product for power quality analysis, called
PQ Canvass.
PQ Canvass incorporates the features and convenience of our previous online software, Canvass. Many of the
power quality analysis and reporting tools of our desktop software, ProVision, and additional features to
support the newly released recorders.
PQ Canvass, unlike Canvass, has been designed from the ground up to support a wide array of devices and
screen sizes. This allows you to manage your devices, browse recordings, and even view live waveforms easily,
whether at your computer in the office, or travelling with your smartphone or tablet.
PQ Canvass is a cloud-based application that runs completely in a standard web browser - no extra software is
required. Recorders, such as the new Tensor, that support PQ Canvass, stream recorded data as it is gathered
during the recording session - no need to wait until the “end” of the recording session and download the
entire recorder memory.
Simply log into PQ Canvass and view all data gathered up to the present time. Live waveforms and meter
displays are also available for real-time information from any PQ Canvass device. SMS and email alerts are also
available for immediate notification on PQ events.
Contact your PMI sales representative for information on new PMI recorders and PQ Canvass.

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Web Administration for the Wi-Fi Tensor
The Wi-Fi Tensor has configuration settings that can be modified using a Web Browser to access the User
Interface (UI). Live readings are also available in the UI.
Connecting the Wi-Fi Tensor to a wireless network allows data to be sent to the PQ Canvass website.
See Appendix 2: FAQs on how to Join a Tensor to a new Wi-Fi network.

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Tensor Recorder Operation Overview
Using the Tensor Recorder consists of:
● Installation
● Initialization
● Recording,
● Downloading
● Analyzing
The Tensor Recorder is initialized with parameters appropriate for the recording session. These parameters
include voltage thresholds, flicker limits, and a graph time interval, among others.
These initialization parameters are set using ProVision PC software or the PQ Canvass website.
When plugged into a standard receptacle, the Tensor Recorder begins a few second countdown during which
the initialization settings are updated.
After the countdown, the Tensor Recorder starts recording using these settings.
Later, after the desired data is recorded, the information from the Tensor Recorder is downloaded into
ProVision. If the Tensor has the cellular option, or a network configured WiFi Tensor, the data may also be
sent to the PQ Canvass website.
ProVision or PQ Canvass is used to analyze the download data.
The Tensor Recorder may be reinitialized for the next recording or initialized at a later time.
With PQ Canvass, graphs or reports can be accessed at any time.
Tensor Recording Options
Standard features include current, power, harmonics, and waveform capture. The current is sampled just like
the voltage channels, 256 times per cycle. These samples are used to create one cycle RMS values, and are
recorded like the voltage channels. No external CTs or clamps are necessary to record current.
The power feature allows the Tensor Recorder to compute and record the power consumed by the load
connected to the built-in receptacle. Real power (watts), reactive power (vars), apparent power (volt-amps),
and power factor are computed for each leg. These are computed using the voltages from line to neutral, and
current through each leg.
The Harmonics and Waveform Capture features give the Tensor Recorder the ability to measure and record
voltage and current harmonics, as well as raw waveform data. graphs of selected voltage and current
harmonics may be recorded, up to the 51st, as well as daily profiles of total harmonic distortion. In addition,
raw voltage and current waveforms may be captured based on trigger conditions set with ProVision. This
option also includes extra memory so that harmonic graphs may be recorded without lessening the total
recording time.

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Using the Tensor Recorder
PC Communications with the Tensor Recorder
Wi-Fi communications
With the Wi-Fi option, select the Tensor that appears in your PC’s network settings list. Once configured,
ProVision connects with the Tensor using the Wi-Fi IP address.
The Tensor Recorder communicates with ProVision running on a PC or laptop to receive its initialization and to
download data. The green LED flashes 5 seconds on, 1 second off, when connected to ProVision and in the idle
mode.
For questions and instructions on Wi-Fi connectivity, refer to the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ at the end of
this manual. For additional assistance, contact the PMI Technical Support Team.

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See the following section “Connect to ProVision” to complete the setup.
Cellular communications
The Tensor cell model can communicate with ProVision over a cellular communication connection.
The Cell Tensor is assigned a network IP Address by the Cell Plan Provider. ProVision is then configured with
the network IP address to access the Cell Tensor.
When connected to ProVision, the recorder serial number will appear in the Devices column.
The Tensor Recorder and ProVision are now ready to initialize or download.
For questions and instructions on cellular connectivity, refer to the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ at the end
of this manual.
A Tensor with the cellular option can send bursts of recorded data to the PQ Canvass website. A contract for
PQ Canvass can be purchased through you PMI Sales Representative.
For additional assistance, contact the PMI Technical Support Team.
Connect to ProVision
After the Tensor Wi-Fi or Cellular IP address is configured in ProVision, select the [Recorder] tab in ProVision
followed by the [Connect] command. Select the new connection to link the Tensor to ProVision.

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Identification
ProVision can be used to identify a PMI recorder. Identifying the Tensor using the ProVision software can
provide you with useful information such as the model name, the serial number of your recorder, the
firmware version, the number of voltage and current channels, lithium battery voltage and any options that
your recorder may have. This is particularly useful when trying to gather information about your Recorder
when requesting technical assistance.
To see information about your Tensor, connect your Tensor to the ProVision software, and select the
[Recorder] tab in ProVision followed by the [Identify] command, then the [View] button that displays.
Initializing in ProVision
The Tensor Recorder is configured to record specific data by initializing using ProVision or PQ Canvass
To initialize using ProVision, connect your Tensor to your PC or laptop device then select the [Recorder] tab in
ProVision followed by the [Initialize] command. The default settings shown in the Initialization menu pages
will get you started until you are more familiar with the settings.
There are many initialization options. See the ‘Provision Getting Started’ video on the PMI website:
https://powermonitors.com/support for more detail.

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Initializing in PQ Canvass
To initialize using the PQ Canvass website, select the Tensor device and [Advanced], then the [New
Recording] icon, then select a General Purpose setting or one of the pre-set options shown. Both can be
modified.
See the section titled “What the Tensor records”. You can also contact the Technical Support Team for
additional assistance.

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Installation
Please read the safety section before installation. Always exercise extreme caution when installing a Tensor
Recorder. Install the Tensor Recorder in the receptacle socket by sliding the blades of the Recorder into the
receptacles in the outlet. If you wish to monitor a load, plug in the object’s AC cord into the front of the
Recorder. The Tensor’s outlet can be manually turned off or remotely turned off with the cellular Tensor
model.
When the Recorder is plugged into a standard AC receptacle, the LED on the front of the Recorder will start
blinking blue during the initialization process of the recorder. Then the LED will blink green every 5 seconds to
indicate that recording is in progress.
Note: If you have interrupted power to the receptacle during installation, the countdown will not begin until
the power is restored.

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Downloading Data
After the Tensor Recorder has recorded the desired data, it is downloaded into ProVision. Power the Tensor
Recorder and connect to ProVision using the Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
The Tensor Recorder stops recording when connected to a PC and [Retrieve Settings] or [Download
Recording] is selected in ProVision. If the cellular or Wi-Fi connection is dropped, the Tensor Recorder will
continue recording, appending data to the existing recording session.
ProVision will ask for a file name when the download is completed. The file is placed in the Recent Download
list in the Explorer column. Double clicking on the data file will bring up the Header Report which contains
quick links to some graphs and reports. Other Graphs and Reports can be found under the tabs at the top of
ProVision.
The Tensor Recorder also may be downloaded later. Simply remove the unit from the outlet and take it back
to the office. The Tensor Recorder automatically stops recording when it is disconnected from an outlet. The
recorded data is held in nonvolatile memory, so no data is lost.
If the Tensor Recorder is re-initialized, it will start the countdown when power is applied, and a new recording
will begin. If the Tensor is not initialized after downloading, future data will be appended to the older data.
The recorded data is still in the Tensor Recorder and can be downloaded again even after it has been re-
initialized. The old data is not erased until power is applied and the countdown completes.
PQ Canvass receives periodic data transmissions from the cell Tensor and continually adds data to the
‘downloaded’ PQ Canvass data file. When re-initialized, a new PQ Canvass data file is created.

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Analyzing Data
There are many graphs and reports as well as user created custom graphs and reports available in ProVision.
See the ProVision documentation to learn about using ProVision to analyze Voltage Recorder data.
Videos can be found on the PMI website: https://powermonitors.com/support
Technical documents can be found in the PMI library: https://library.powermonitors.com
PMI Technical Support will also assist in analyzing data.

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Viewing Live Data
One of ProVision’s features is the ability to view ‘Live’ data as a device is recording. To see ‘Live’ data, select
the Recorder tab in ProVision and then Waveform Graphs or Meter Display.

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What the Tensor Records
Introduction
The job of any power monitor is to record all significant data and leave unrecorded a vast majority of
background data. The tricky part for a monitor is deciding which events are important. This is a problem of
data reduction. A recorder that captured every 60 Hz waveform during a week’s recording would never miss
an event but would present the user with millions of useless cycles. Conversely, a recorder whose thresholds
are set incorrectly may not record anything. Staying somewhere between these two extremes involves a
balance of thresholds, settings, and record types. The monitor will see an enormous amount of data on its
voltage and current inputs– the Tensor Recorder sees over 1 billion samples per day! Ideally, all this data is
reduced to a small report which just shows the important events and measurements. The sifting of data into
specific record types accomplishes this task.
Triggered Record Types
PMI Recorder records can be divided into two classes. The first is event driven. These record types are
triggered by a combination of triggering logic and adjustable thresholds, usually voltage based. If a trigger
never happens, nothing is recorded for that record type. As more triggers occur, more records are collected
for that record type. The advantage of this class is that nothing is recorded unless something happens. In the
ideal case, no problems occurred, so nothing was recorded, and no data analysis is necessary. If a trigger did
occur, then the monitor logged the event for later analysis. This is a powerful data-reduction tool and can
reduce huge amounts of data into a few small records containing all the significant events. The disadvantage is
that success completely depends on good thresholds and settings. A threshold that is too tight will cause the
Recorder to log records that are not really worth analyzing.
These extraneous records often hide the (hopefully) few important ones. A threshold that is too loose will
cause the Recorder to ignore important disturbances. Although it is often possible to use regulatory limits or
other known standards to set thresholds, this can be a chicken-and-the-egg type problem: sometimes you
need to know something about the disturbance before you can set proper thresholds to capture it. Despite
these potential pitfalls, triggered record types are powerful tools in power line monitoring. They are most
useful for capturing voltage disturbances and power quality problems. The captured events are usually
presented in a text report. Triggered record types include Power Outage, Abnormal Voltage, Event Change,
Significant Change, and Waveform Capture.
Non-triggered Record Types
The second class of record types is not event driven. These record types are always logging data, regardless of
how interesting or important the data is. The classic example is a paper graph, which continuously logs data.
There are no thresholds to set, although there may be a parameter to determine how often to collect data.
The logged data is usually presented as a graph of data points. Although there may be a large amount of data,
using a graph lets the eye pick out important data. Problems such as sags and swells are easy to see in the
graph graphs. In addition to voltage quality studies, these record types are used for finding daily trends in
current or power values, measuring power factor, etc. The advantage of not having thresholds to set is that
there is no question about what data will be recorded. The disadvantage is that sometimes there is no
question that a lot of data will be recorded, most of it unimportant. For non- power quality data such as power
factor measurement, there is no disadvantage. These record types include graphs, Daily Profiles, Histograms,
and Energy Usage.