Success can be measure on how well you equip yourself to do your work. When it comes to electrical testing processes, it is essential to be sure of the tools you are going to use for the job. Determining the right electrical testing tool requires a thorough assessment of your needs. Though you have two of the best electrical measuring devices in Digital Multimeters and Clamp meters, there is nothing better than understanding the true operation of both of these products and how each of them can provide different benefits on your measurement operations.

Digital Multimeter

There is an impression that digital multimeter is a direct contact instrument while clamp meter is an inductive instrument. This leads to the conclusion that the only difference between the two is their input method. However, Digital Multimeter (DMM) is essentially a voltage measuring tool that is capable of current inducing abilities. DMM enables an electrician to measure milliunits (millivolts, milliamps, and milliohms) with its high resolution feature. It also allows electrical measurements with the exception of current unless it is equipped with a clamp accessory. Technically, if you are looking to just generate accurate voltage measurements, then DMM is the one that is primarily designed to conduct such measurement operations.

Clamp Meter

Clamp meters, in comparison, measures to the nearest tenth of a unit, rather than in the milli-units provided by digital multimeters. In electronic work this is a perfect and efficient resolution. This tool is essentially a current-measuring tool with some voltage abilities which makes it easier to conduct measurements on the load side of a breaker. Simultaneous voltage and current measurements are simply part of troubleshooting. However, there are dilemmas on how theses simultaneous measurements can be conducted via one meter only. For electricians, a clamp meter is the most versatile diagnostic tool available. However, the exact combination and utilization of test equipment still depends on the type of work you will be facing, and the type of measurements you need to make. Here are some of the situations and ideas you may consider during your measurement operations:

• If your job requires only the basic voltage measurements, then you can use a basic DMM
• If you need the high resolution and advanced features not found on clamp meters, a high-end DMM could fit with that.
• If you just need to ensure all three phases on your feeders are pulling the same current, a basic clamp meter is all you need
• An advanced clamp meter is right for you if you have intermittent breaker trips that you need to resolve.

Bottom Line Benefits

Both of these tools have their own advantages from each other but it can be safe t say that it perfectly fit for each other. Whenever there are simultaneous measurement needs, you can utilize both of these instruments together in a one-compressed tool in order to accurately measure any current and voltage leads.

In relation, we all know it’s costly not to have the right tools for the job. That is why you need a trusted provider that you can always count on for your measurement needs. Presidium.ph Corporation is an official distributor of high-quality electronic test tools in the country. You can count on us to provide you every testing tools you need whenever and wherever your operations are! Have accurate measurements of your electrical processes with our wide array of Fluke digital multimeters and clamp meters.

For more info, you can contact us at +632-464-9339 or visit our website at www.presidium.ph.

An infrared camera, also known as a thermal imager, can be a big investment for any company or individual. While it is a very useful tool, it is still important to determine your Return on Investment (ROI). There are a lot of variables that contribute to your ROI, depending if you’re a plant manager, or a contractor/consultant. Here are some of them:

For Industrial Plant Managers, ROI can come from using infrared cameras for inspection and troubleshooting. Factors include:

Saved downtime

There’s no need to turn off equipment during an inspection so plant managers don’t lose valuable production time.

Increased productivity

Infrared inspections are non-contact, which means that technicians can scan large areas from a safe distance, and at a faster speed.

Improved production efficiency

Subtle problems can be found and addressed easily before they have a major impact on production.

Reduced capital expenses

Maintaining equipment properly can extend their average life expectancy. Through a thermal imager, technicians can find and repair problems before the equipment breaks down.

For Consultants and Contractors, ROI is based on how much more money can be earned by using a thermal imager. Factors that can increase sales include:

Increased productivity

Complete more work in less time by being able to quickly scan areas to find air leaks, insulation gaps, moisture, and overheated electrical components.

Easier sales

Eliminate guesswork and show potential clients exactly what the problem is, and what needs to be repaired, on an infrared camera.

More word of mouth referrals

With a thermal imager, you will not only resolve problems, but also send customers a before and after scan of the same area so they can compare results. This will lead to more satisfied clients and more referrals.

To get a quick estimate on your ROI, try using the Fluke Thermal Imaging ROI Calculator.

Fluke is a trusted manufacturer of numerous tools and test instruments including infrared cameras. In the Philippines, Presidium.ph Corporation is an official distributor of Fluke products. For additional queries, contact Presidium at +632 464 9339 or info@presidium.ph.

Various energy saving methods and energy-saving appliances or devices have been around in the market for years now. There’s no wonder that energy-saving hacks is really important nowadays because of the unstable price of energy from various utility companies.

This is where the importance of thorough power quality analysis and energy studies comes out. This is to ensure that the overall electrical system health of any facilities is well taken care of and assessed for any malfunctions and/or wear and tear that can even cause higher electrical consumption.

Now, in order to have a comprehensive systems analysis and energy studies, you’ll need an ideal tool that can help you out – just like the Fluke 1738 Advanced Power Energy Logger.

This tool is effective for:

• Load studies — verify electrical system capacity before adding loads. The 1738 is also suitable for NEC 220 load studies.
• Energy assessments — quantify energy consumption before and after improvements to justify energy saving expenditures.
• Harmonic measurements — uncover harmonic issues that can damage or disrupt critical equipment.
• Voltage and current event capture — monitor for dips, swells, and inrush currents that cause false resets or nuisance circuit breaker trips.

Fluke 1738 is a three-phase advanced Fluke Connect compatible-power logger for making critical power quality and energy decisions in real time. It also automatically captures and logs voltage, current, power, harmonics, and other associated power quality values. The tool provides the highest safety rating in the industry: 600 V CAT IV/1000 V CAT III rated for use at the service entrance and downstream and automatically logs all measured values and stores more than 20 separate logging sessions.

Since the tool is part of the Fluke Connect^® system of software and more than 30 wireless test tools, the Fluke 1738 allows the technicians and electricians to access and share data remotely with their entire team via Fluke Connect app. You can also access the logger through the facilities’ Wi-Fi infrastructure so you can maintain safer working distances, reducing the need for protective equipment, site visits, and check ins.

Energy consumption is indeed a vital issue that always needs to be addressed properly and thoroughly to make sure that no financial resources is being compromised. Hence, a comprehensive power quality and energy study is very crucial as well. Make sure that you got the best Fluke products with you at work to ensure effectiveness, reliability, and durability all in one tool.

Visit www.presidium.ph for more information!

Around 200 years ago, famous British composer and astronomer Sir William Herschel discovered infrared (IR) radiation. Today, Herschel’s discover is being used by technicians in many fields to detect and fix problems.

Now a new innovation has come through. Developed with British Innovator Infrared Integrated Systems Ltd., the new Fluke VT02 Visual Thermometer aims to combine affordability and functionality with this infrared device. It will benefit technicians who once had to choose between limited IR thermometers and costly thermal imagers.

A one of a kind product

According to Tim Wheatly, Chief Technical Officer of Irisys, “the VT02 is genuinely a new category of product.” It is incomparable to a spot radiometer or a thermal image as their function and use is very different. It is definitely a new style of product.

Out with the old, in with the new

Microbolometer, a type of thermal imager, used to be big and bulky6 when it was first developed in the later 80s. Now, thermal imagers are built small enough that they can be handheld. It may come in quite an expensive price but you are sure that it is a great product with good quality and use. Today, thermography devices are used by many professionals such as firefighters who use it to see through smoke.

Infrared thermometers Vs. Thermal Imagers

Infrared thermometers and thermal imagers basically has the same function but there is a big difference between the two. The low-cost option would be an infrared thermometer. The way it works is that it measures the average surface temperature of a “spot”; a spot that varies in size depending on the specification of the thermometer, and its distance from the target. An infrared thermometer is user-friendly that it requires little to no training. However, it can have a few disadvantages. Taking a detailed temperature profile may be impossible with an IT as it can be difficult to know exactly how large the area you are measuring is.

A thermal imager on the other hand, expensive as it may be, can provide a more detailed and sophisticated result. A single image can provide hundreds or thousands of individual temperature readings, one for every pixel view. These images can be recorded, and processed for viewing using a software. But you might need an expert or do more training before you can get the most out of your thermal imagers.

If you are looking to buy a device for thermography, you might want to start investing in products that will give you great results. It may require you to shell out more money, but the investment will be worth it if it means you get accurately correct results. For thermal imaging devices, you may check out our product list at http://www.presidium.ph. 

Football fans enjoy all the elements of the game – from the tackles, the touchdowns, all the way to the halftime show. Advertisers also spend a lot of money on commercial spots during big games like the Superbowl, as they know it hundreds of millions of people tune in to watch it.

For Football games to run smoothly, it’s important to have a stable power monitoring solution in place. Stadiums and similar sports venues should invest in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system to deliver immediate backup and safeguard input power from disruptions.

In the United States, one company found a better way to monitor utility power for their back-up UPS systems and generators. Filmwerks International, a company based in North Carolina, provides back-up power solutions to numerous sporting events – from football games to golf tournaments. The company uses Fluke 3540 Three-Phase Power Monitors that are connected locally to the cloud. Since the company monitors hundreds and thousands of variables, they needed a way to isolate issues. The USP technicians use a mobile application and desktop software to send alerts for when systems are potentially at risk.

Filmwerks invested in eight Fluke 3640 FC Three-Phase Power Monitors. The instrument can be connected to a load, gather data and allow the technicians to analyze the data in real time. The instrument can also connect to mobile and desktop applications via a wireless network. This allowed the maintenance teams to watch measurement data as it gathers and receives alerts whenever the power surges above, or drops below, custom thresholds determined by the assigned technician.

The Filmwerks crew takes note of the baseline of the critical loads with their three-phase power monitors. It allows them to anticipate how much to load their equipment. The devices also archive data so team members can improve the performance of their system based on data collected weeks or even months prior, which indicates the power consumption of specific equipment. The power usage history is a key metric technicians rely on to stay ahead of potential problems.

As a result of the company’s investment in an advanced power-monitoring instrument like Fluke, it is able to support live sporting events and concerts without worry.

Check out more amazing articles at our website!

There are 1,500 potentially active volcanoes in the world. Asia alone has 744 of them. Though it may take a hundred to thousand years before these volcanoes erupt, it is still important to study them and determine the timeframe of their potential eruption. Countries who are situated near the Pacific Ring of Fire are the ones who are always being affected when volcanoes erupt. Aside from the imminent danger that is brought by lava flow, different air pollution is also one of the hazardous effects of an active volcano. That is why many expert geologists are continuously finding ways to measure the current status of every volcanoes that can potentially erupt.

Thermal Energy

One of the primary ways that is utilized to study active volcanoes is through measuring thermal energy. Thermal energy is an energy contained in a system or object that is measurable. It is usually represented by heat and temperature. In relation, volcanoes are known to contain this measurable kinetic energy that is dangerous when incautiously studied. Much of the monitoring activity performed by volcanologists is gathered from thermal imaging mechanisms. Aircraft, satellites, and handheld sensing instruments are some of the most used tools in measuring thermal energy but the most convenient of the three is the handheld instruments. Thermal cameras or Infrared cameras are the most commonly used type of thermal energy measurement tool. Its portable feature makes data measurements to be captured instantly and easily as events unfold in real-time.

How does an IR camera work?

Unlike regular cameras, thermal cameras create images by detecting Infrared energy which an object emits. Volcanoes that are active and emitting lava flows are one the main end-user of this instrument as thermal cameras uses infrared-sensitive sensors that can detect differing temperatures and hot spots.

Remembering Kilauea Volcano

Many volcano monitoring operations have benefitted from using handheld thermal imagers. The monitoring operation for Kilauea volcano, for example, has utilized handheld thermal imagers to instantly determine its volcanic activity. In late April 2018, the volcano started showing signs of increased activity and last May 3, 2018, the first crack (fissure) has started. The activity sparked widespread attention as lava flows and potential destruction on Hawaii circulated amongst the people residing on the island. Since then, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has conducted several monitoring operations and provided real-time news and information to determine and prepare for an imminent volcanic eruption. With the use of portable thermal imagers, the USGS has collected a variety of critical information and data that provided the foundation for counter acts and lifesaving predictions.

***

Thermal imagers are not just utilized for volcanic monitoring activities. It is also widely used for other temperature measurements, especially in factories that require accurate heat signals and levels. Thus, it is essential for any manufacturing and production businesses to have a reliable thermal imaging instrument. Presidium.ph Corporation can provide you just that! As an official distributor of Fluke Calibration products in the country, you can expect us to bring you the most reliable testing instruments you need and guarantee safety for your business operations.

For more info, you can contact us at +632 464-9339 or visit our website at www.presidium.ph!

One of the horrors of being a technician or an electrician is being harmed by the actual job itself. The voltage of a certain electrical system is being measured by attaching the test lead probe or alligator clips directly to electrical conductors. This traditional way of measuring voltages requires metal-to-metal contact that brings with it the risk of arc flash and electrical shock. The repercussions can potentially harm not just the person who is doing the measurement but also the testing device itself.

This is why Fluke has devised the FieldSense technology to make a workplace safer for electricians and technicians. This is where the voltage is being measured by isolating the measurement tool from the voltage source under test. Thus, it will reduce the risks of electrical shock and arc flash.

The principle of galvanic isolation makes the FieldSense technology possible. It simply allows electricians and technicians to measure voltage without exposing themselves to contact points with live voltage. A FieldSense technology-enabled device, like the Fluke T6-100, detects the electrical field in the open fork and measures the voltage through the cable insulation.

Here are the other reasons how FieldSense technology can keep the workplace for electricians and technicians safer:

No direct metal-to-metal contact

With the FieldSense technology, there is no need to attach probes or alligator clips to the conductor. The Fluke’s FieldSense technology allows you to measure AC voltage, current, and frequency through the cable’s insulation by sliding the fork of the tester over the conductor. In this manner, the risks for electrical sparks or arc flash will be minimized, hence, much less potential for electrical shock.

Works beyond expectations

The FieldSense-enabled devices of Fluke doesn’t just show you the live voltage present but also accurately measure that voltage. This technology injects a known signal to accurately derive the unknown AC voltage to produce an actual AC voltage.

No need to open panels

Devices with the FieldSense technology don’t need access to any wire end points as it can already measure the voltage at any point along the conductor. This feature saves you more time because you don’t have to deal with crowded junction boxes anymore. You just have to slid a single conducting wire into the open fork and read the results. Hence, you won’t have to be worried about experiencing electrical shocks when you dig deep down the bunch of wirings.

Just keep in mind that you also need to take precautionary measures and safety equipment while doing such task. Furthermore, you have to be more observant, careful, and vigilant upon doing your job to make sure that you can do it safely.

And when it comes to the best testing tools that you need for your work, trust Presidium.PH! We are a proud distributor of Fluke Calibration and Industrial Group tools here in the Philippines. Contact us at +63 2 464 9339 or email us at info@presidium.ph for inquiries and other information!

Since the rise of the industrial revolution in the 1800’s, technology and machines have advanced and developed tremendously. And it is undeniable that these advancements played a big role in the modern technology we now use and enjoy. However, the more the technologies and machineries advance, the bigger the waste it also produces, which in turn, contributes to the rising issue of energy waste and pollution.

Wasted energy is a big problem. It costs businesses billions of money, on top of the number 1 reason that it is extremely harmful to our environment. Most businesses tend to overlook the waste they accumulate because of the machines they use, not because they ignore it on purpose, but actually some businesses don’t know how to address this issue properly.

Here in the Philippines, government agencies have exerted efforts in the hopes to address this issue. Spearheaded by the Department of Energy, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry, these two agencies launched The Philippine Industrial Energy Efficiency Project (PIEEP). PIEEP is a 5-year project that aims to promote sustainable energy management system and achieve energy efficiency best practices within the PH setting, with the hopes to obtain energy savings, and contribute to climate change mitigation.

As a company, what exactly are the things that you should do and keep in-check to make sure that the machines you are using have not become a pollutant? Let’s find out!

Overhaul Old and Inefficient Equipment

When was the last time you upgraded your equipment? If it’s been awhile, you’re probably starting to notice a few changes in your equipment like longer boot/ start time or it may start to sound noisier that it usually should. With proper care, machines can last up to 7-9 years of use, with some you just need to upgrade the system and the body is still in good condition. However, if you’ve been using a certain machine for more than a decade, there may be newer models that are much more energy-efficient, and cost-saving. Upgrading may require an up-front investment, but when you invest in the right equipment, you will be saving more earnings in the long run.

Immediately fix HVAC issues

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. These are any machines that provide you heating a cooling services. In an average office set up, any HVAC machine is responsible for about 40% of an office’s energy cost. The percentage increases if an office practices bad heating and cooling habits. Even simply leaving a door or window open of an air conditioned room will cost you a lot of energy costs. A good way to make sure that you are practicing good HVAC practices is to have your AC or heater calibrated. Having your HVACs calibrated assures you that it is giving the appropriate cooling that for your room. You can also set a timer so that it will adjust automatically once it reaches the desired cooling temperature.

Do Monthly Check-Ups

It’s important that you know how much energy you are consuming or how else will you know how much you are wasting? Checking up on your equipment for at least once a month can help you avoid having a hazardous environment caused by electrical inaccuracies. Re-calibrating your equipment may also help improve the equipment overtime, just make sure you know how to properly use and take cre of your products so they don’t become a harm to our environment.

If you need help with calibrating your equipment, you may check out Presidium.ph Corporation. Presidium is the official distributor of Fluke Industrial Corporation here in the Philippines; they are a provider of manufacture, distribution, and service of electronic test tools for biomedical equipment and networking solutions.

Most amateurs would have trouble recognizing power quality problems from electrical distribution systems or equipment connected to circuits. More often than not, these problems would be viewed as just faulty old equipment that needs replacing or a one-time inconvenient reset.

To get to the root of the problem, you might look at types of loads on the system and monitor for harmonics, unbalance or disturbance patters.

There are two types that can determine the area where the common problems in power quality occur: Harmonic Distortion Issues and Voltage and Current Anomalies. For the latter, problems may still be correct before the equipment is damaged.

Here’s a quick rundown on power quality symptoms and causes:

Dips or Sags

Voltage dips or sags are a reduction of voltage of 10% or more below the normal or recommended usage. They have a ripple effect across equipment and can be caused by starting large loads, having similar operations in neighboring facilities, or severe weather.

You might experience dimming of lights, computer lockups, relay and contactor chatter, or complete dropout. Your equipment and system may also shutdown or produce random deceptive alarms.

Swells

Voltage swells are the complete opposite of dips. They are surges in voltage of 10% or more above normal or recommended usage. Overvoltage is a swell that lasts longer than a minute.

If you’re getting failed power supplies and overvoltage shutdowns and alarms on variable frequency drives (VFDs), you might be experiencing this issue. Potential causes include fault on a single phase of a three-phase system, sudden load decrease, or capacitor bank switching.

Transients

Transients, also known as Voltage Spikes, are dangerous for people working with electrical systems. They are short bursts of energy that are typically caused by switching of capacitors. They can also be created by lightning strikes, reenergizing systems after a power failure, sudden stoppage of large equipment, or dirty or worn contactors.

Some symptoms you might experience include flashover and arcing effects in distribution equipment, damaged insulation, failed electronics and computers lockups.

Interruptions

Interruptions are mostly caused by momentary loss of utility power. Symptoms include equipment shutdowns.

Unbalance

In a balanced three-phase system, the phase voltages should be equal or close to equal. If the measurements of the phase voltages are far and wide, they are considered unbalanced.

If you’re experiencing overheated three-phase motors and transformers, you might have an unbalance issue. This is due to unbalanced loads across individual phases of three-phase panel boards, unbalanced utility supply, operation of single-phase welders, or open-delta transformers.

Harmonics

Harmonics are currents or voltages with frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental power frequency. While any electronic load can generate harmonics, you may experience inefficiencies, which can be an issue.

Some symptoms of this issue include overheated neutral conductors, transformers, and inductive motors. The electronic equipment may also produce artificial and unexplained alarms, and shutdowns.

A potential cause for this issue is non-linear loads such as switching power suppliers, converter sections of uninterruptible power supply (UPS), VFDs, and battery chargers. Welders and arc furnaces are also identified as possible sources.

Identifying power quality issues can help protect your equipment from damage. Invest in high-quality test and calibration tools, and be confident with your measurement results. Presidium is the official distributor of Fluke Industrial Group and Fluke Calibration products in the Philippines. For inquiries, call +632 464 9339 or email us at info@presidium.ph.

A True-RMS device can be classified as one of three tools that can measure either alternating current (ac) or ac voltage. They can be classified as: True-RMS digital multimeters (or clamp meter), Average-responding digital (or clamp meter), and oscilloscope.

The first two classifications are commonly used, and both of them can accurately measure standard, pure alternating current waveform. A waveform is a representation of how alternating current (AC) varies with time. There are many types of waveforms but the most familiar is the Sinusoidal (sine) waveforms. Other forms of AC waves are grouped and classified as Non-sinusoidal waveforms. To further differentiate the two, below is each of the waveform’s distinct definition and structure.

• Sinusoidal (sine) Waves: Pure, without distortion, and has symmetrical transitions between peaks and valleys.

• Non-sinusoidal Waves: Waves with distorted and irregular patterns, waveforms such as spikes, pulse trains, squares, triangles, and any other ragged or angular waves are classified as Non-sinusoidal waves.

A true-RMS meter is widely preferred because it is the only device that can accurately measure both sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal waveforms. See illustrations below for reference.

It is essential to have an understanding about true-RMS devices. Its formula is based on RMS = root mean square. Though it is challenging to grasp, RMS essentially calculates the equivalent direct (dc) value of an ac waveform. Technically, it determines the “effective”, or dc heating value of any ac wave shape.

It is important to know that a sophisticated true-RMS meter can accurately measure both pure waves and complex non-sinusoidal waves. Factors such as variable speed drives or computers can potentially distort the structure of waveforms. Thus, averaging true-RMS multimeters attempt to measure these distorted waveforms with these standard calculations below:

The need for true-RMS meters has grown due to the increase of non-sinusoidal wave possibilities in circuits from the following apparatuses below:

• Variable-speed motor drives
• Electronic ballasts
• Computers
• HVAC

The environments from these devices produces current that occurs in short pulses rather than the smooth sine wave from a standard induction motor. Hence, true-RMS meter is the best choice for taking measurements on power lines where ac characteristics are unknown.

A legitimate true-RMS meter is needed for every electrical and AC voltage measurements. There are many companies who have promised this type of product that is dependable and reliable. Fluke Industrial Group is the world leader in the manufacture, distribution and service of electronic test tools. It is your number one choice for your True-RMS meters, and if you are looking for any Fluke Calibration instruments in the countr, Presidium.ph Corporation could help you with that! We assure you that our products our straight from Fluke Industrial group themselves. Expect to have accurate results with your True-RMS meter. Let us be your reliable partner for your reliable test instruments!

For more info, you can contact us at +632-464-9339 or visit our website at www.presidium.ph.