Summit Technology PowerSight PS3550 User manual

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Summit Technology, Inc.
2246 Monument Blvd
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.powersight.com
Rev for FW 6.09 / SW 4.1J
Copyright 2022 by Summit Technology
User’s Manual
for
PowerSight
PS3550

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PowerSight is a registered trademark of Summit Technology, Inc.
The PowerSight model PS3550 is designed to comply with part
15, subpart B, of the FCC Rules for a Class A digital device.
Model PS3550 is designed to comply with the requirements of
IEC61010-1:2001 for a 1000V input rating measurement category
III, pollution degree II, double insulated electronic device.
Model PS3550 is manufactured by Summit Technology, Inc in the
U.S.A. The standard warranty period is 12 months from date of
purchase. We encourage you to advise us of any defects of
design or manufacture of any of our products. We are dedicated
to your successful use of the product.
There are no user serviceable parts in your PowerSight
meter. Opening the case voids your warranty and may result in
present or future danger to users of the meter. The rechargeable
battery inside is a custom-designed battery pack that is only to be
replaced by authorized Summit Technology technical service
personnel.
Cleaning is to be done by use of a dry or damp piece of
cloth. Grease may be removed by light application of isopropyl
(rubbing) alcohol. Avoid the use of solvents, since they may
dissolve or weaken the plastic enclosure. Do not use water or
other conductive liquids since they may pose a safety risk.
Use of this equipment in a manner not specified by Summit
Technology can result in injury and voiding of warranty.

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Table of Contents
Introducing PowerSight ............................................................. 8
Connecting to PowerSight ......................................................... 9
Voltage Test Leads ..................................................................................... 9
Current Probes .......................................................................................... 10
Connections to PowerSight ................................................................... 12
Introduction to Power Delivery Configurations ................................ 14
Connecting to Single-phase Power ...................................................... 16
Connecting to 120 V Outlet Adapter Box ............................................ 17
Connecting to Multiple Single-phase Loads ...................................... 18
Connecting to Split-Phase (Two Phase) Power ................................ 19
Connecting to Three-Phase Four-Wire (Wye) Power ....................... 20
Connecting to Three-Phase Three-Wire (Delta) Power ................... 21
Connecting to Three-Phase Four-Wire Delta Power ........................ 22
Connecting to Three-Phase Grounded Delta Power ........................ 22
Connections Using 2 Current Approach ............................................. 23
Connections to a 3 CT / 3 PT Metering Circuit .................................. 24
Connections to a 2 CT / 2 PT Metering Circuit .................................. 27
Connections to an Open Delta (3CT / 2PT) Metering Circuit ......... 27
Connecting to Line-To-DC (LDC) Converter Accessory ................. 28
Measuring Multiple Parallel Conductors ............................................. 30
Measuring Currents Below the Range of the Current Probe ......... 32
Turning PowerSight On ............................................................ 33
Connecting to Power ................................................................................ 33
Turning PowerSight On ........................................................................... 34
Turning PowerSight Off ........................................................................... 34
Communicating with PowerSight ............................................ 35
Introduction ................................................................................................ 35
Connecting Via Bluetooth (Windows 7/8/10/11) ................................ 36
Connecting Via USB cable (Windows 7/8/10/11) ............................... 39
Using Removable Memory Cards ............................................ 40
Introduction ................................................................................................ 40
Operation and Limitations ...................................................................... 40
Downloading Data via Memory Card .................................................... 41
Verifying Connections Using PowerSight (SureStartTM) ........ 43
Importance of Verifying Connections and Wiring ............................ 43
Identifying the Power System ................................................................ 45
Error Summary .......................................................................................... 46
Identifying Errors ...................................................................................... 46
Checking Connections using PSM-A ...................................... 48
Checking Voltage/Current Levels – Using PSM-A ............................ 49
Checking I Phase Sequence – Using PSM-A ..................................... 50
Checking Phase Lag Angle – Using PSM-A ....................................... 50

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Measurement Types ................................................................. 52
Voltage Measurements ............................................................................ 52
Voltage Measurements in PowerSight ................................................ 53
Voltage Measurements in PSM-A.......................................................... 55
Current Measurements ........................................................................... 56
Current Measurements in PowerSight ................................................ 57
Current Measurements in PSM-A.......................................................... 59
Imbalance Measurements ....................................................................... 60
Imbalance Measurements in PSM-A .................................................... 61
Power Measurements .............................................................................. 61
Power Measurements in PowerSight ................................................... 62
Power Measurements in PSM-A ............................................................ 63
Power Factor Measurements ................................................................. 64
True Power Factor Measurements in PowerSight ............................ 66
Displacement P.F. and Phase Measurements in PowerSight ........ 69
Power Factor and Phase Measurements in PSM-A .......................... 70
Energy Measurements ............................................................................. 71
Energy Measurements in PowerSight ................................................. 72
Energy Measurements in PSM-A .......................................................... 73
Cost Measurements .................................................................................. 73
Cost Measurements in PowerSight ...................................................... 74
Cost Measurements in PSM-A ............................................................... 75
Demand Period Measurements ............................................................. 76
Demand Period Measurements in PowerSight .................................. 76
Demand Period Measurements in PSM-A ........................................... 76
Frequency Measurements ...................................................................... 77
Frequency Measurements in PowerSight ........................................... 78
Frequency Measurements in PSM-A .................................................... 78
Duty Cycle / Power Cycle Measurements ........................................... 79
Duty Cycle / Power Cycle Measurements in PowerSight ............... 80
Time and Capacity Measurements ....................................................... 81
Time and Capacity Measurements in PowerSight ............................ 82
Time and Capacity Measurements in PSM-A ..................................... 83
Harmonic Measurements ........................................................................ 84
Harmonic Measurements in PowerSight............................................. 86
Harmonic Measurements in PSM-A ...................................................... 86
Measurement Modes ................................................................ 87
Introducing Measurement Modes ......................................................... 87
Phase-Neutral vs Phase-Phase vs 2 Current Mode.......................... 88
Changing the Voltage Measurement Mode in PowerSight ............. 89
Changing the Voltage Measurement Mode in PSM-A ...................... 89
50/60/400Hz vs DC vs Variable Frequency ......................................... 90
Changing the Frequency Measurement Mode in PowerSight ....... 92
Changing the Frequency Measurement Mode in PSM-A ................ 92
Always Positive Power versus Negative Power Allowed ............... 92

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Changing the Power Measurement Mode in PowerSight ............... 94
Changing the Power Measurement Mode in PSM-A ........................ 94
Defining Inputs .......................................................................................... 94
Changing Input Ratios in PowerSight ................................................. 96
Changing Input Ratios in PSM-A .......................................................... 97
Voltage & Current Waveforms ................................................. 98
Introduction ................................................................................................ 98
Saving Consumption Waveforms ......................................................... 98
Receiving Stored Consumption Waveforms .................................... 100
Viewing Consumption Waveforms ..................................................... 101
Monitoring Power Consumption............................................ 105
Introduction .............................................................................................. 105
Basic Consumption Data Logging ...................................................... 106
Receiving the Data Logging Session from PowerSight ................ 109
Viewing the Data Logging Session in PSM-A .................................. 110
Working with Graphs and Waveforms .................................. 111
Presentation of the Graph ..................................................................... 111
Reading Graphs and Waveforms ........................................................ 112
Zooming and Panning ............................................................................ 114
Custom Data Logging ............................................................ 116
Introduction .............................................................................................. 116
Starting Data Logging ............................................................................ 116
Stopping Data Logging .......................................................................... 117
Setting the Data Logging Period ......................................................... 118
Setting Measurement Types ................................................................. 119
Setting Measurement Modes ............................................................... 120
Saving & Retrieving Setups to File or PowerSight in PSM-A ...... 120
Loading Data Setups from the Memory Card (SD Card) ............... 121
Saving Data Setups to the Memory Card (SD Card) ...................... 122
Restoring the Default Setup ................................................................. 122
ReportWriter Software ............................................................ 123
Introduction .............................................................................................. 123
Generating a Report ............................................................................... 123
Viewing a Report ..................................................................................... 126
TestPlan Manager in PSM-A .................................................. 128
What is TestPlan Manager .................................................................... 128
How Does it Work? ................................................................................. 128
Opening an Existing TestPlan in PSM-A ........................................... 129
Create a New TestPlan in PSM-A ........................................................ 130
Using TestPlan Manager with Powersight ........................................ 134
Performing the Tests .............................................................................. 134
Retrieving the TestPlan Data in PSM-A ............................................. 135
Opening TestPlan Data in PSM-A ....................................................... 138
Other Functions of PowerSight ............................................. 138
Calibrating PowerSight .......................................................................... 138

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Setup Functions ...................................................................................... 139
Administrative Functions ...................................................................... 140
Other Functions within PSM-A .............................................. 142
Introduction .............................................................................................. 142
Remote Control of PowerSight ............................................................ 142
Locating and Installing Software and Firmware ............................. 143
Setting up Administrative Features of PowerSight via PSM-A ... 144
Putting it all Together (Monitoring for the First Time) ......... 145
Troubleshooting & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ...... 147
Overview of the Keypad Functions ....................................... 151
Compatibility Guide ................................................................ 152
Specifications* ........................................................................ 154

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Introducing PowerSight
Congratulations on your decision to buy a PowerSight PS3550!
The PS3550 is a complete upgrade of the previous PS3500.
Some of the new benefits and features are:
 New USB Communications
 Faster Bluetooth Communications
 Faster SD card transfers
 Unbalanced voltage & current measurements
 Testplan Manager Support
The PS3550 is a complete solution for the measurement and
analysis of all aspects of power:
 Harmonics analysis
 Demand analysis
 Data logging
 Automated report writing
 Wiring and system analysis
The philosophy of the product is still the same, to give you an
instrument that answers your questions about electric power in a
truly convenient size at an attractive price, now with more
features!
Whether your interest is in
 Cost of consumption
 Managing power consumption, or
 Maintaining and comparing equipment
PowerSight puts all the power in the palm of your hand!
*Note: Throughout this manual, whenever we refer to an individual
key of the keypad, we print the name on the key enclosed by
square brackets. For example, the “Volt” key is referred to as
[Volt].

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Connecting to PowerSight
Voltage Test Leads
A Deluxe Voltage Probe set consisting of four leads is included
with each PowerSight. Each of the voltage test leads is 6 feet (2
meters) long, with safety banana jacks at one end and safety
plunger clamps at the other end. Each is labeled at both ends as
the V1, V2, V3, or VN test lead. The safety plunger clamps have
telescoping jaws that you can actuate while keeping your fingers
three inches away from the actual metallic contact. Regular test
probes have conventional alligator jaw attachments that require
your fingers to be within one inch of the metallic contact. Also, the
method of attaching alligator jaws to a test lead can allow a gap in
the insulation between the lead and where they join. This is
where your thumb and finger are pressing while you actuate it.
For these reasons, to avoid unnecessary risk of shock,
regular voltage test leads should not be connected to or
disconnected from live circuits and should definitely not be
connected to or disconnected from voltages above 120 Vrms.
Another word of caution: Whenever connecting to a live
circuit, remember that the jaws of a voltage test lead are
much wider when they are open than when they are closed.
The potential to short or flash across two adjacent terminals
or wires is a constant danger when connecting to a live
circuit. Depending on the current capacity of the circuit
being shorted, arc flash and a deadly explosion of molten
material can result!
Once they are securely connected, the deluxe voltage leads are
safe for steady voltages of the 1000 Vrms rating of PowerSight.
The clamps of the deluxe voltage leads are rated for 1000V
working voltage, measurement category III. This is equivalent to
measurement category III for a working voltage of 1000V, the
rating of the PS3550.

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Summit Technology also sells a fused voltage lead set (order
DFV). The safety advantage of fused leads is that if a short
occurs through the insulation of a lead to ground, the fuse in the
handle should quickly blow out, preventing the lead from
vaporizing in an explosion of molten metal. The safety
disadvantage of fused leads occurs when the fuse is blown or is
removed. The user will measure 0 volts on a live circuit and may
be tempted to lower his safety awareness, possibly resulting in
shock or damage. The DFV probes are rated for 1000V,
measurement category III.
Current Probes
Summit Technology provides a variety of probes for your use.
They offer different measurement ranges, different sizes and
physical characteristics, and the ability to measure different types
of current.
Probes such as the HA1000 are excellent choices to use with
PowerSight because they support all the accuracy specifications
of the product. For instance, the HA1000 has an accuracy of
0.5% whereas many probes on the market have an accuracy of 2-
3%. Also, the HA1000 maintains its accuracy for frequencies up
to 20,000 Hz. With our spectrum analyzer option (order FAO) it
can be used to measure frequencies up to 100,000 Hz riding on
the power line. This allows accurate current and power readings
of distorted waveforms, accurate readings of harmonics, and the
measurement of current transients that other probes would not
even detect.
Phase shift is also an important probe characteristic. The HA1000
has less than 1/2 degree of phase shift across the frequency
range when measuring currents above 50 amps and just 1.5
degrees at 5 amps. This means that instantaneous
measurements of power are highly accurate, regardless of the
waveform shape. The phase shift characteristics of most other
probes on the market are not this good. This results in erroneous
power and cost measurements and distorted waveforms. Please
Note: To diminish phase shift when measuring small currents, it is
advisable to clamp onto multiple "turns" of the same conductor in
order to increase the effective current being sensed.