POWERSIDE PQube 3 User manual

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 1 | 13
PQube®3 Portable
Installation Guide
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. POWERSIDE MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THIS
MATERIAL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. Powerside shall not be
liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material. If you do
not accept this limitation on liability, please return the product to Powerside prior to use.
If you find information in this manual that is incorrect, misleading, or
incomplete, we would appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Powerside (Canada) Powerside (US)
7850 Trans-Canada Highway 980 Atlantic Ave
Saint Laurent (QC) H4T1A5 Alameda (CA) 94501
1(514)333-8393 1(510)522-4400

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 2 | 13
WARNING: Death, serious injury, or fire hazard could result from improper connection or operation of this
instrument. Carefully read and understand manual before connecting this instrument.
AVERTISSEMENT: Si l'instrument est mal connecté, la mort, des blessures graves, ou un danger d'incendie
peuvent s'en suivre. Lisez attentivement le manuel avant de connecter l'instrument.
WARNUNG: Der falsche Anschluß dieses Gerätes kann Tod, schwere Verletzungen oder Feuer verursachen.
Bevor Sie dieses Instrument anschließen, müssen Sie die Anleitung lesen und verstanden haben.
ADVERTENCIA: Una conexión incorrecta de este instrumento puede producir la muerte, lesiones graves y
riesgo de incendio. Lea y entienda el manual antes de conectar.
If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the
equipment may be impaired. Installation, service, and maintenance of your PQube 3 Portable must only be done
by an expert for electrical installations.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
POWERSIDE MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THIS MATERIAL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE.
Powerside shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection
with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material. If you do not accept this limitation on liability, please
return the product to Powerside prior to use.
Symbol
Meaning
Caution. Consult this manual in all cases where
this symbol is used.
Caution. Risk of electric shock
Alternating current
Alternating current (a.c.) or direct current (d.c.)
Double or Reinforced insulation
Functional earth terminal not relied on for safety

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 3 | 13
Introduction 4
What is the PQube 3 Portable?.................................................................................................... 4
Product Highlights........................................................................................................................ 4
What’s included - model PQ3iaB-Portable-4V8I-XXXX-XXXX....................................................... 5
What’s included - model PQ3iaB-Portable-NEO-XXXX-XXXX....................................................... 6
Overview of Connections............................................................................................................. 7
Portable PQube 3 Installation 8
Important Safety Notices............................................................................................................. 8
Installation Procedures................................................................................................................ 9
1. Turn off the Mains supply power at the measurement site 9
2. Choose a suitable location to install your PQube 3 9
3. Install current transformers: model PQ3iaB-Portable-4V8I-XXXX-XXXX only 10
4. Install the voltage sensing wires 11
5. Install the power supply (if applicable) 12
6. Verify connections 12
7. Secure the area 12
8. Energize the circuit 12
9. Verify meter readings 13
10. Configure your PQube 3 13
Servicing your PQube 3 Portable ............................................................................................... 13

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 4 | 13
Introduction
What is the PQube 3 Portable?
The PQube 3 Portable combines the powerful monitoring
and communication capabilities of the PQube 3 Power
Analyzer with the quick connectivity and convenience of a
portable instrument.
It is designed for quick installation and temporary
measurement campaigns. It auto-detects your frequency,
nominal voltage and power configuration. It can be wired
to a local LAN but has also a cell modem ready option - no
communication cables needed.
The PQube3 can be configured and its measurement data
extracted with a USB stick via the USB port next to the
color display of PQube 3. The PQube 3 Portable holds
thousands of events and years of trend data in its internal
flash memory.
If you have remote communication enabled, you can receive reports from the PQube3 as soon as it is powered up.
The PQube 3 Portable sends events and trends directly to the email inbox of your laptop or smartphone - no
software required.
Product Highlights
•Easy to install, wire, and operate
•Ready to plug flexible CTs and fused voltage leads
•Self-powers from the measured voltage (360 to 480VAC)
•Powers from 24Vdc or with an external transformer 120 to 240Vac
•Up to 1-hour (configurable) battery power backup
•Voltage range 100 to 480Vac nominal, Current range (0 to 3000Amps)
•Power Quality Class A IEC 61000-4-30 Ed3
•Monitors AC and DC (4 additional analog inputs)
•Detects High-Frequency transients at 4MHz
•Records 2kHz~150kHz conducted emissions
•Optional 2 environment probes (temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, acceleration)

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 5 | 13
What’s included - model PQ3iaB-Portable-4V8I-XXXX-XXXX
Before installation, verify the contents of your PQube 3 Portable package.
ABC
DEFG
HIJK
a. (1) Heavy duty carrying case
b. (1) PQube 3 Portable
c. (1) AC/DC power supply with power cable –100 to 240Vac input, 24Vdc output
d. (4) Flexible current transformers (Rogowski coils)
e. (2) Non-fused cables with shrouded banana jacks and alligator clips (white and green)
f. (3) Fused voltage sensing leads with shrouded banana jacks and alligator clips (red, yellow, blue)
g. (1) Split-core 5A:0.333V current transformer
h. (1) Small flat-head screwdriver
i. (3) Spare fuses
j. Installation Guide and USB drive including software and its documentation
k. (1) Hook-and-loop mounting strap

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 6 | 13
What’s included - model PQ3iaB-Portable-NEO-XXXX-XXXX
Note: this model does not include a transportation case, and no current sensors.
Before installation, verify the contents of the PQube 3 Portable:
ABCD
EFGH
a. (1) PQube 3 Portable
b. (1) AC/DC power supply with power cable –100~240Vac input, 24Vdc output
c. (2) Non-fused cables with shrouded banana jacks and alligator clips (white and green)
d. (3) Fused voltage sensing leads with shrouded banana jacks and alligator clips (red, yellow, blue)
e. (1) Small flat-head screwdriver
f. (3) Spare fuses
g. (1) Installation Guide and USB drive including software and its documentation
h. (1) Hook-and-loop mounting strap

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 7 | 13
Overview of Connections
A.
L1, L2, L3 voltage inputs. Rated for
100 to 480Vac nominal, 50/60Hz.
C.
Earth terminal –Functional. Used as
the reference point for voltage
measurements.
B.
Neutral terminal –optional depending
on your power configuration.
D.
Inputs for CT sensors –nominal 0.333V RMS
(LOW range) or ±10Vpk (HIGH range).
E.
10/100 Ethernet RJ-45 port. PoE compatible.
G.
Analog & Digital I/O terminals.
F.
(2) Environment Probe USB interface:
USB 1.0 ports for use ONLY with ENV2.
H.
24VDC power supply input.
I.
20Vdc AUX power output (4W max)
Right Side –Voltage and
Current Terminals
Left Side –Communication
and General I/O

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 8 | 13
Portable PQube 3 Installation
Important Safety Notices
Always De-Energize the Mains Supply Before Connecting Voltage and Current Probes.
Your PQube 3 Portable is rated for 100~480VAC. Do not install it at circuits that exceed these ratings.
Do not attempt to connect leads to a live circuit. This could result in damage to your equipment and/or
injury. Inspect all equipment and test leads for damage prior to installation. If there is any damage, do
not proceed with installation.
It is very important that installation and servicing of your PQube 3 Portable be done by a qualified person,
and in accordance with the local or national electrical guidelines and codes (e.g. ANSI/NFPA 70 in the US,
CSA C22.1 in Canada etc )

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 9 | 13
Installation Procedures
1. Turn off the Mains supply power at the measurement site
Before working with mains AC voltage wires, always ensure the power is first disconnected. Powersiderecommends using a lock-out, tag-out system for safety.
2. Choose a suitable location to install your PQube 3
Determine where you want to install your PQube 3 Portable. Find a flat, level surface in a secure area, accessible by
authorized personnel only.
Your PQube 3 Portable must be in the upright position during operation.
Optionally, you can hang it to a secure location using the included hook-and-loop strap.

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 10 | 13
3. Install current transformers: model PQ3iaB-Portable-4V8I-XXXX-XXXX only
Note: model “PQ3iaB-Portable-NEO-XXXX-XXXX” does not include current transformers.
The PQube 3 Portable is compatible with traditional split-core current transformers (with voltage output) and flexible
current transformers (Rogowski coils).
The PQube 3 Portable includes four flexible CTs with bayonet style connectors for the L1, L2, and L3 conductors.
A split-core 5A CT with bayonet style connectors is included for monitoring ground current.
If using the split-core 5A CT, clamp the CT around the Neutral
conductor with the (white) label facing the source.
Clamp the flexible CTs around each phase conductor. There is an arrow indicator (see in the above picture) at the
junction of each Rogowski coil. Make sure the arrow points towards the source.
Connect the secondary wires of the CTs to the PQube 3 Portable to the bayonet style terminals (see picture below).
L1, L2, L3 current flexible CT output connects to
terminals I1, I2, I3.
If monitored, the neutral current flexible CT output
connects to I4 terminal.
If monitored, ground current CT connects to the I5
terminal
Before you continue, verify that each CT is connected to the correct terminal on the PQube 3 Portable enclosure.
Load
source
Load
source

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 11 | 13
4. Install the voltage sensing wires
Your PQube 3 Portable includes voltage sensing leads (wires) with fuses built into three of them (red, yellow, and
blue wires). To access the fuse, twist the banana plug from the thick end of the cable. Make sure a fuse is installed
inside each of the three wires before installation.
The white (Neutral) and green (Earth) wires do not include a fuse.
Use the included alligator clips to connect the voltage
sensing leads to the circuit to be measured.
Plug the voltage sensing leads into the voltage terminals (banana jacks) of your PQube 3 Portable.
Verify that each voltage sensing wire phase is connected to the correct voltage input terminal on the PQube 3
Portable. The wires and banana jacks are color coded.

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 12 | 13
5. Install the power supply (if applicable)
If you are monitoring a circuit with 360~480VAC L-L nominal
voltage, the PQube 3 Portable will automatically self-power from
the L1-L2 terminals.
If you are not measuring a circuit within this voltage range, then
use the included AC/DC power supply. Connect the power cable
into an outlet rated for 100~240VAC and connect the 24VDC jack
into your PQube 3 Portable.
Whether you are powering from the L1-L2 measurement circuit
or a dedicated 100~240VAC outlet, make sure this circuit can
supply at least 100 watts.
6. Verify connections
Double check and make sure all voltage sensing leads are installed on the correct wires, and all CTs are clamped
around the correct conductors. Ensure all connections to the PQube 3 Portable are secure.
7. Secure the area
After verifying all connections, close all cabinets and make sure that all hazardous circuits are protected from
unauthorized access.
8. Energize the circuit
Turn on the power to your circuit and check for hazardous conditions. If there are any hazardous conditions,
turn off the power immediately and contact the facility manager for further troubleshooting.

PQube 3 Portable Installation Guide.V2_En Page 13 | 13
9. Verify meter readings
Check the voltage and current readings on the PQube 3 Portable using the
touchscreen.
From the display, press the [Meters] button and check that the measured values
are correct. If you entered PT and CT ratios into your setup file, verify that the
voltage and current readings are primary units. Also verify that the values for
power (watts) and power factor are correct. If you have inverted your CTs or
installed the CTs on the wrong phases, your power readings will be inaccurate.
You will also want to verify that your voltage and current vectors look
appropriate. Our vector convention for a balanced 3-phase system is L1 voltage
at 0°, with L2 voltage at -120° and L3 voltage at +120°.
If the touchscreen display is not accessible, you can verify the meter readings by
connecting your laptop to the local network, or directly into the PQube 3 Ethernet
port.
10. Configure your PQube 3
Refer to the PQube 3 Reference Manual for more information. You can find a copy in the included USB drive, or you
can visit the Powerside help Center https://help.powerside.com/knowledge/pqube-3 to download the latest
version.
Configuration can be done by copying the setup.ini file onto a USB stick, and inserting the stick into the USB port
(the USB port is next to the color display). Configuration can also be done by connecting to the PQube 3 Ethernet
port.
Servicing your PQube 3 Portable
Always De-Energize the Mains Supply Before disconnecting Voltage and Current Probes.
Please contact [email protected]om for assistance or further information on this product.
Powerside® and PQube® are registered trademarks of Power Survey and Equipment Ltd. and Power Standards Lab. © 2020 Powerside. All rights
Powerside (Canada) Powerside (US)
7850 Trans-Canada Highway 980 Atlantic Ave
Saint Laurent (QC) H4T1A5 Alameda (CA) 94501
1(514)333-8393 1(510)522-4400