Atec PA9Plus User Manual

Portable Power Quality Analyzer

PA9PLUS

Portable Power Quality Analyzer

n

A ruggedized, full-featured instrument

measuring to worldwide power quality
standards (EN50160, IEC61000-4-15,
IEEE1159/519)

n

Trends voltage, current, imbalance,

power, energy, events, flicker (PST/PLT),
THD, TDD, individual harmonics, and
frequency

n

Real-time, graphical display of harmonic

content, power and source direction

n

On-site, integrated analysis and data

retrieval capabilities without requiring a
computer or PDA

n

Intelligent download—preview and

retrieve only the information of interest

n

Remote communications and alarming

capabilities

PA9PLUS

DESCRIPTION

The new Megger PA9Plus is the latest innovation of
the successful PA-9 Power Quality Analyzer platform. It
incorporates newly enhanced key features including a
faster Digital Signal Processor (DSP) to support continually
evolving capabilities, a full 12 MB of nonvolatile internal
memory and standard auxiliary power input capabilities.

To address worldwide requirements and applications,
the PA9Plus is CE marked, supports several international
languages, and adheres to applicable European and
North American standards (EN50160, IEC61000-4-15,
IEEE1159, IEEE519), including automatic phase lock loop
synchronization of input frequencies ranging from 20 Hz
to 70 Hz, flicker measurements and recording, and out of
limits/frequency trending.

The optional removable memory capabilities allows
internally recorded data to be copied directly to an external
standard compact flash card using the same technology
available with most of today’s digital cameras. This means
that without a computer on site, data can be manually
or automatically copied from the instrument to external
memory cards, increasing the effective instrument memory
storage to the size of the card used. Similarly, new
configuration setups may be programmed in the same,
simple manner.

The standard software has been enhanced to fully support

n

Includes enhanced MEGPA9IEC software

for instrument configuration,
communications, data retrieval and
charting/reporting

the new functionality and is included at no cost with every
PA9Plus purchased. A new, optional report generator
has also been developed to support your customized
documentation/reporting needs.

The PA9Plus records power quality and power flow
information simultaneously. The recorded information can
be viewed via the built-in graphics display, downloaded to
a computer using the serial interface and optional modem,
or transferred using the optional removable Flash Memory
Module.

Megger offers a comprehensive line of self-powered (no
batteries required) flexible and clamp-on current probes
for use with the entire PA-9 Series. If you would prefer to
use your own probes, simply order the applicable Megger
adapter.

Power Quality

n

The PA9Plus has a sample rate of 256 samples/cycle for

all input channels and harmonic analysis through the
63rd harmonic.

n

Long-term (days/weeks/months) recording of voltage/

current RMS values with a response time as fast as every
cycle.

n

Captures pre-fault and post-fault waveforms.

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Reports out-of-limits events.

PA9PLUS

Portable Power Quality Analyzer

n

Frequency trending and IEC Flicker measurements.

n

Waveform capture with event (voltage and current sags,

swells, harmonics and sub-cycle transients down to
65 microseconds), time, or harmonic trending limits.

Power Flow

n

Records all power parameters for all major configurations

using single, 2, 2-1/2 and 3 element measurement
methods.

n

Power parameters are recorded for demand intervals

from one hour down to every cycle, which is always
necessary when recording in-rush characteristics during
start-up of motors, generators, transformers, and large
loads.

Records all Power Quality and Power Flow
Parameters

n

Voltage/Current & Power – volts (line-neutral)*, volts

(line-line)*, volts (neutral-earth)*, amps*, frequency,
neutral amps*, real power**, reactive power**, apparent
power**

n

Demand Interval Data – (for fixed or sliding window)

volts (line-neutral) or volts (line-line), current, real
power**, reactive power**, apparent power**, real
energy**, reactive energy**, apparent energy**, true
power factor, displacement power factor, volts & amps
imbalance, phase relationships

n

Minimum/Maximum/Demand – volts, amps, real

power, reactive power, apparent power, volts and amps
imbalance, true power factor

n

Waveforms/Harmonics – (for each input) voltage and

current waveforms captured on time or exceedance
triggered basis, total harmonic distortion, total demand
distortion, individual harmonic trending, harmonic
analysis, amplitude, phase shift, K factor

*RMS as well as 1 cycle minimum and maximum value

**Bidirectional measurement capability

Versatile Data Recording Modes

For ultimate flexibility, the user determines how data is
recorded:

n

Continuous Recording – the PA9Plus records all selected

parameters (i.e. minimum, average and maximum values
of voltage/ current, power parameters, etc.) with date
and time stamp for each storage interval.

n

Exceedance only Recording – the PA9Plus only records

abnormal events based on user selected limits. This
technique saves memory and allows longer recording
times.

n

Wraparound or “Moving Window” – when memory is full,

the power analyzer automatically writes over the oldest
data. This first-in, first-out process guarantees that the
most recent data is always recorded and available.

n

Transfer to External Memory Card – manual and

automatic transfer capabilities. This card is available from
Megger.

APPLICATIONS

Using experience gained from supplying thousands of
solid state recorders to hundreds of utilities, industrial, and
service companies around the world, Megger designed
the PA9Plus to be the most versatile instrument available
today. The PA9Plus is Megger’s next generation analyzer,
including important new features requested by our
customers.

From substations, to commercial & industrial, to residential
monitoring, the PA9Plus is your comprehensive “first line
of defense” for analyzing and solving power quantity and
power quality problems.

These high performance capabilities, combined with the
latest in electronic technology, makes the PA9Plus ideal for
both utility and industrial applications:

n

Analysis comparisons to worldwide PQ standards

n

Lamp flicker measurements and recordings

n

Energy audits and forecasting

n

Capacitor bank sizing

n

Load balancing

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Power factor surveys

n

Before/after studies

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Load profiling

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Substation monitoring

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Comprehensive power quality investigations

n

Billing verification

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Motor, generator and transformer inrush current studies

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Harmonic surveys, analysis, and filter design

You Manage the Memory

The PA9Plus offers several options for managing the full
12 MB of nonvolatile internal memory and an optional
removable memory card (up to 4G).

n

Stop when Full – recording stops when internal memory

is full. All recorded data is saved to internal memory for
download or local analysis.

Voltage and current probes connect easily and never require an
external power supply.