The Dual Impedance of Digital Multimeters

There are numerous digital multimeters that offer several features to make electrical measurement easier, safer, and more reliable. However, there are still factors that need to be considered when measuring electricity and voltages. Most digital multimeters such as the Fluke 114, 116, and 117 series are capable of having a dual impedance in order to solve common electrical measurement complications. To have further understanding, we are here to discuss the basic features and uses of dual impedance.

Impedance Basics

 

Nowadays, digital multimeters that are being used for testing industrial, electrical, and electronic systems have high impedance input circuits. Basically, this means that when the DMM is placed across a circuit for a measurement, it will have little impact on circuit performance. This is the desired effect for most voltage measurement applications and is especially important for sensitive electronics or control circuits.

 

However, older troubleshooting tools such as analog multimeters generally have low impedance input circuitry. This limits their performance and is only used for testing power circuits or other circuits where the low impedance will not negatively impact or alter circuit performance.

What About It?

 

As a means of safety and accurate results, dual impedance meters provide technicians the ability to safely troubleshoot sensitive electronic or control circuits as well as circuits that may contain ghost voltages, and can more reliably determine whether a voltage is present on a circuit.

 

On the Fluke 114, 116 and 117 DMMs, the meter’s regular Vac and Vdc switch positions are high impedance. These switch positions are mostly used for troubleshooting scenarios and sensitive electronic loads.

 

The Fluke low impedance function (Auto-V/LoZ) Auto-V reduces the possibility of false readings due to ghost voltages and improves accuracy when testing to determine the absence or presence of voltage. Use the Auto-V/LoZ switch position on the DMM when readings are suspect (ghost voltages may be present) or when testing for the presence of voltage.

Ghost Voltages

 

In order to understand more what dual impedance, do to electrical measurement processes, Ghost voltages must be carefully identified and explained. These voltages occur from having energized circuits and non-energized wiring located in close proximity to each other, such as in the same conduit or raceway. This condition forms a capacitor and allows capacitive coupling between the energized wiring and the adjacent unused wiring.

 

The most common places to encounter ghost voltages are blown fuses in distribution panels, unused cable runs or electrical wiring in existing conduit. Some amount of ghost voltage can be coupled from the hot side to the open side across the blown fuse. When facilities or buildings are built and wired, it’s very common for electricians to pull extra wire through the conduit for future use.

Absence or presence of voltage testing

 

Traditionally most electricians and plant maintenance professionals used some form of solenoid tester to determine whether circuits were energized or not. Because of their low impedance circuit, solenoid testers are not fooled by ghost voltage.

 

These testers did their job back in the day but they rarely comply with the current IEC 61010 safety standards and current North American regulatory requirements. But with a dual impedance meter that has Auto-V/LoZ function, leads are placed on an open circuit that contains a ghost voltage. The low input impedance will cause the ghost voltage to dissipate and the meter will display a reading near zero volts indicating no voltage present.

 

Given the variety and complexity of measurement and testing requirements found in most facilities today, a meter with a dual impedance input offers the troubleshooter or technician more flexibility to cover applications or measurement needs ranging from basic voltage testing to troubleshooting sensitive electronic circuits. Having a trusted voltage detector helps increase efficiency and adds an additional safety check for technicians, Presidium is your top choice to bring you that efficient voltage detector. As the authorized distributor of Fluke products in the country, we are committed to providing the best measurement tools, especially those that are equipped with high-quality dual impedance input.

 

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

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How Fluke ii900 Saved a Manufacturer’s Business

One of the world’s most prominent aftermarket manufacturer was interviewed regarding air leaks. This company design, craft, and markets its products under famous brands. They widely use compressed air to run equipment in their plant.

Controlling Energy Waste

 

Air leaks lead to wasted energy by causing the equipment that is run by compressed air to work harder. Older equipment that is stored in the plant increases the probability of air leaks. Leak detection activities are done after hours as hearing air leaks is difficult especially in a noisy environment.

 

They wait for the building to fall quiet, usually on during off-shift and maintenance shutdown to listen to air leaks. They also spray soapy water to areas they think have a leak and observe if there will be bubbles.

 

They also use other methods such as using ultrasonic leak detector. It requires a certain time and a highly trained professional. Small leaks aren’t very audible to the human ear and are sometimes located in a difficult to access area.

 

Fluke approached the said manufacturer to encourage them to try  Fluke ii900 Sonic Industrial Imager. This equipment can locate a leak even from 50 feet away in a noisy environment.

 

The maintenance lead and maintenance technician alternating throughout 8 hours of scanning the entire plant of leaks. At the end of their procedure, they found an overall of 143 leaks both big and small.

 

They verified the leaks the equipment has prompted by spraying the said areas with soapy waters. And true enough, the tool was right.

Fluke ii900’s ability to find leaks in hard to search places pleased the maintenance manager.

 

The Fluke ii900 Sonic Industrial Imager has a built-in acoustic array of tiny sensitive microphones that generates a spectrum of decibel levels per frequency. An algorithm then calculates a sound image known as SoundMap that is superimposed on a visual image. The SoundMap can filter out background noise because it automatically adapts depending on the frequency selected. It is updated on screen 10-20 times per second.

 

The maintenance manager commended that Fluke is very user-friendly that you can just pick it up and walk down the aisles scanning for leaks. Not only does it save time but it also saves labor and energy cost.

 

Want to have a success story just like this businessman? Get the right Fluke test instruments for your needs now! Don’t miss the chance of getting a SPECIAL DISCOUNT when you avail this device only at Presidium.PH! We are an authorized distributor of Fluke instruments in the Philippines. Let us be your reliable partner for reliable instruments. Contact us now at +63 2 464 9339!

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All About Vibration Testing with Fluke 810

The most innovative troubleshooting tool for mechanical maintenance teams, the Fluke 810 Vibration Tester is the perfect tool to quickly identify mechanical problems. Equipped with unique diagnostic technology, Fluke 810 lets you be on top and in control of unplanned downtime, prevent recurring problems and manage your resources, thus putting the expertise of a vibration analyst in your hands.

Among its key features are:

  • On-board identification and location of the most common mechanical faults (bearings, misalignment, unbalance, looseness) focus maintenance efforts on the root cause, reducing unplanned downtime
  • Fluke 810’s overall vibration level allows you to quickly assess overall machine health directly from the diagnosis screen
  • Fault severity scale with four severity levels helps you prioritize maintenance work
  • Repair recommendations advise technicians on corrective action
  • Detailed diagnostic reports and spectral diagrams help confirm data quality and narrow down the root cause of failures
  • On-board context sensitive help provides real-time tips and guidance to new users
  • Flexible machine speed configurations give the ability to test a broad range of assets including belt drives, gearboxes, and bevel gears
  • 2 GB expandable on-board memory provides enough space for your machinery’s data
  • Self-test function ensures optimal performance and more time on the job
  • Laser tachometer for accurate machine running speed promotes confident diagnosis
  • Tri-axial accelerometer reduces measurement time by 2/3 over single axis accelerometers
  • Viewer PC Software expands data storage and tracking capacity

Let Fluke 810 help your mechanical team with:

  • Troubleshooting problem equipment and understanding the root cause of failure
  • Survey equipment before and after planned maintenance and confirm the repair
  • Commission new equipment and ensure proper installation
  • Provide quantifiable proof of equipment condition and drive investment in repair or replacement
  • Prioritize and plan repair activities and operate more efficiently
  • Anticipate equipment failures before they happen and take control of spare parts inventories
  • Train new or less-experienced technicians and build confidence and skills across the team

 

Give your team the advantage in addressing mechanical problems with a powerful diagnostic tool like Fluke 810! With its simple step-by-step process that report specific machine faults and severity, Fluke 810 equips technicians with the ability to quickly assess your machine’s overall state, giving you the confidence you need in addressing critical problems to keep your facility, team and work ahead of the game.

 

GET A SPECIAL DISCOUNT when you avail this device only at Presidium.PH! We are an authorized distributor of Fluke test instruments in the Philippines. Let us be your reliable partner for reliable instruments. Contact us now at +63 2 464 9339!

 

 

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Troubleshooting with Fluke MDA-550 Motor Drive Analyzer

Fluke MDA-550 Drive Analyzer combines several functions into one instrument and reduces the number of tools you need. Troubleshooting and measuring are more convenient with Fluke MDA-550 Drive Analyzer as it automates drive measurements and guides the users via test setups.
Danfoss project director confirms the Fluke Motor Drive Analyzer makes testing and troubleshooting easier.

 

Motor drives are everywhere because they are vital in adapting the speed of a motor to the needs of an application. Motor drives are a significant behind-the-scenes component in fans, pumps, compressors, and other motor-driven equipment.

 

Danfoss, founded by legendary innovator Mads Clausen, is a global manufacturer of commercial refrigeration and heating systems, hydraulics, and motor drives and one of the largest industrial companies and employers in Denmark.

 

The said company has recently partnered with Fluke to test the new Fluke MDA-550 Motor Drive Analyzer. Norbert Hanigovszki, Project Director in the Technology Development Group of the Danfoss Drives has been with the company for years and holds bachelor’s and master’s degree in electrical engineering, as well as a doctorate in EMC and power electronics.

 

Norbert Hanigovszki said that “Today, when you go to a site for a service call and you don’t know exactly where you want to start looking or what you want to investigate, you will probably take with you a multimeter, an oscilloscope, and a power analyzer.”

 

He also stated that you will also need to have some special knowledge that is gained through experiences to do that.

 

Hanigovszki says, “The motor drive analyzer changes things because you will only need one instrument.”

 

He also claimed that “It’s good enough for in-depth troubleshooting, and another advantage is that you get help from the instrument, from the diagrams and instructions.”

 

The Fluke Motor Drive Analyzer tells you how to measure what you want to measure. For instance, you want to measure the voltage of the output of the drive, the MDA-550 will pre-set the instrument in order to measure that particular spot.

 

Avail this device only at Presidium.PH! We are an authorized distributor of Fluke test instruments in the Philippines. Let us be your reliable partner for reliable testing tools. Contact us now at +63 2 464 9339 FOR A SPECIAL DISCOUNT!

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Factors to Consider when making Energy Consumption Decisions

Energy consumption is a must in every household and commercial spaces as it will not only help the family economically but also environmentally. It’s significant that you choose household appliances and gadgets that will help you consume less energy. The Fluke 1738 Advanced Three-Phase Power Logger automatically captures and logs more than 500 power quality parameters to give electricians and technicians more visibility into the data needed to make better power quality and energy consumption decisions.

 

The Fluke 1738 is the ideal tool to conduct:

 

  • 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.

 

 

The Fluke 1738 features an optimized user interface, flexible current probes, and an intelligent measurement verification function that reduces measurement errors by digitally verifying and correcting common connection errors, making setup easier than ever and reducing measurement uncertainty. The simplified setup ensures that all available measured parameters will be automatically selected during logging, so it always captures the data needed.

 

More than 20 separate logging sessions can be stored on the 1738 and the results can be downloaded while the studies are being performed via a USB stick, mobile app for real-time analysis. The logger can be completely set up in the field through its front panel eliminating the need to return to the workshop for download and setup or bring a computer to the electrical panel.

 

With the included Fluke Energy Analyze Plus software package, measurements can be quickly and easily graphed to help identify issues and create detailed reports. Optionally, IEEE519 reports can be created to provide more insight into harmonic levels, voltage and current distortion, and load current (license required).

 

The Fluke 1738 also allows technicians to perform advanced analysis with an enhanced Power Quality Health Summary (EN50160) function that provides fast insight into overall electrical system health. The Power Quality Health Summary is based on detailed power quality data including viewable event waveform captures for even more visibility into the data needed to optimize system reliability and savings.

 

With energy consumption, such a critical issue for facilities, being able to perform comprehensive power quality and energy studies has never been more important. The Fluke 1738 Advanced Three-Phase Power Logger makes it easy to collect data and understand power trends to optimize system reliability and savings.

 

Browse through presidium.ph‘s wide range Fluke products that are high-quality and high-energy saving. Visit www.presidium.ph for more information! 

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Detect Air Leaks Faster with Fluke ii900 Sonic Industrial Imager

Companies involved in heavy equipment manufacturing relies heavily on compressed air to run tools and processes. With this, production lines and its operators are proactively preventing and on the lookout for any signs of leaks, as even a tiny air leak can result in product and energy waste, and lost production time.

In line with this, a leading heavy equipment company recently found a way to prevent air leaks.

 

The company, which uses around 1800 to 2600 CFM of compressed air each day, runs up to 200 torque tools per line and process equipment to move large sheets of half-inch steel and positioning of parts.

 

Relying on compressed air to power up their operations, any sign of leakage can potentially result in higher demand for air pressure and raises the risk of having an inadequate amount of compressed air to supply its tools and process equipment.

 

To address this, Fluke offered the company a chance to test its Fluke ii900 Sonic Industrial Imager.

 

Equipped with an array of tiny and super sensitive microphones that detect sounds from human hearing to the ultrasonic range, the Fluke ii90 allows its users to visualize sound.

 

“Being able to visualize where the problem adds another dimension,” says the company’s maintenance manager. “You can identify which thread, fitting, or hose is affected. Being able to pinpoint where the leak is coming from on that image is extremely exciting.”

 

This enables its users to visually scan large areas from up to 50 meters (164 feet) away, effectively making it easier and faster to detect leaks at the plant and paving the way for the company to reduce hours of labor spent to resolve such task.

 

With the use of Fluke ii900, the company can now easily detect and repair 30 or 40 leaks in just a couple of hours. An additional benefit of using ii900 is that they can also use it during production hours and still be able to capture leaks at the rafter level-up to 20 to 30 feet away, despite their extremely loud working surrounding.

 

“Before we never thought of testing for air leaks during production because we couldn’t shut down the aisles and move people out of the area to go and look at a potential leak,” says the manager.

 

With Fluke ii900, the company and its team can now conveniently stand on the sideline and detect any signs of air leaks, without affecting their work.

 

Get this item in A SPECIAL DISCOUNTED PRICE at Presidium.PH! Send us an inquiry here or email us at info@presidium.ph!

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Difference of Preventive, Predictive, and Proactive Maintenance

Every maintenance team aspires to keep their machines and equipment running at maximum efficiency and with minimum unplanned downtime. However, achieving this requires the best type of maintenance that your operations can always provide consistently.

In today’s modern maintenance processes, there are various techniques and equipment that has become more automated and convenient.

In line with this, here’s a quick comparison of the three (3) most commonly used maintenance practices in machines and equipment today:

Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is done through regularly scheduled upkeep for machines and equipment to help reduce failure and maximize its effectivity. It is important to understand that preventive maintenance intervals are typically based on recommendations from equipment manufacturers rather than on specific data related to each machine. Of all the three processes, preventive maintenance is proven to be more cost effective as it saves energy by keeping equipment running efficiently.

Predictive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance, on the other hand, is designed to address potential equipment problems before they cause a breakdown. Rather than performing maintenance tasks based on time intervals, this process uses data gathered from the equipment to determine when and what to perform maintenance on. It applies algorithms to that data to find trends in key indicators, such as temperature, vibration, electrical, pressure, and other measurable factors that can indicate when a failure is likely to happen.

Much of the data used in these calculations are collected in real time with infrared technology while the equipment is running. This helps create a more accurate and comprehensive picture of both individual assets and the health of the operation.

Proactive Maintenance

By collecting baseline data, tracking trends, and analyzing findings after fault indications are found, a proactive maintenance strategy helps organizations perform maintenance only when necessary, based on gathered information. It can also help make predictive and preventive maintenance programs work more efficiently to avoid the root causes of machine failure, address problems before they arise, and extend machine life.

However, the biggest challenge in establishing a proactive maintenance program is determining when to directly apply your maintenance resources. Analyzing the data from both healthy and faulty equipment can help you determine when a piece of equipment may fail. But, because most organizations have limited maintenance resources, the next challenge is to decide which failures pose the biggest risk to your operation.

Successful maintenance would need high-quality testing equipment that can help your personnel determine their course of action. Moreover, Predictive and Proactive maintenance, which rely on real-time data requires excellent testing equipment to conduct these maintenances successfully.

With Fluke, you can expect to have the best and industry-trusted equipment to provide accurate results on your maintenance operations.

If you’re looking for Fluke testing tools and Fluke Calibration, Presidium.PH Corporation is your top choice. As one of the most trusted authorized distributor of Fluke products in the country.

What are you waiting for? Get your hands on our wide array of Fluke testing tools and Fluke Calibration now! Visit our website at www.presidium.ph

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The Importance of Battery and Backup Power Testing

There’s no doubt that a backup power system is one of the most important things an engineer must consider when working on high performance buildings and industries such as hotels, hospitals, data centers and industrial factories. Backup power testing is indeed important to make sure that backup power systems work.

 

It is imperative for companies in these industries to have uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and batteries in cases when external generation sources are unavailable to provide safety and protection for assets that may be lost during power outages. Thus, battery testing plays a crucial role in power system preparedness.

 

Take the following into careful consideration when testing your batteries:

 

  • Speed
  • Fast and easy reporting
  • Easy data capture
  • Easy reporting
  • Limiting human errors when making measurements on large strings

 

Test your batteries regularly with highly functional and reliable tools like Fluke 500 Series Battery Analyzers available at www.presidium.ph. An official distributor of Fluke products here in the Philippines, for product information and inquiries, contact us at +63 2 464 9339 or email us at info@presidium.ph.

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A Step-by-step Approach to System Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting is a process in which devices or systems are repaired. Step-by-step procedures are followed in order to quickly identify and repair issues. There are various test instruments help you through the repair process. Here’s a simple step-by-step run through of what you need to be doing:

 

  1. Start by collecting technical records from relevant sources.

 

Knowing what kind of situation you are dealing with is vital in every repair situation. Analyze the scenario by gathering information from the original equipment manufacturer, suppliers, contractors, operators, and maintenance departments.

  1. Isolate the part of the system or equipment to be tested

 

Gather your test instruments and personal protective equipment before you start the testing process.

 

  1. Take note of all readings

 

Take readings on this portion to test for malfunctions. You might need to test for multiple readings to identify proper operation and the problem at hand.

 

  1. Identify problem and Recommend Repair Actions

 

After doing rigorous tests, you should be able to identify the cause of the problem. Give out suggestions for repairs such as parts replacement, system updating, technical service, or redemption of warranty.

 

  1. Documentation

 

Once all repairs are completed, make sure that you document all changes and repairs that were made. This is so you have something to refer to the next time something happens with the device or system. In this step, you may also include suggestions to improve its performance.

 

However, even though the repair process can be compressed into 5 simple steps, the extensiveness of a repair work can range as broad as a building repair or as specific as an individual component. To avoid unexpected repairs, basic tests on devices and systems should be done regularly so you are able to forecast device or system performances. The most common basic mandatory tests are Voltage and Current test, they are also, typically, the first tests conducted at easily accessible points of measurement or access.

 

If you are looking for Voltage and Current test Equipment, you might want to check out the Fluke 773 Milliamp Process Clamp Meter, it is known to have a 0.2% accuracy and delivers a 0.01 mA resolution and sensitivity.

 

Fluke products is available locally through Presidium Corporation. For inquiries on products and services, you visit their website at https://presidium.ph/contact-us/.

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Fluke 62 MAX+ Infrared Thermometer for maximized efficiency

As it offers plenty of benefits for every mechanical personnel or engineer, there is no doubt that the Fluke 62 MAX+ infrared thermometer has been the top choice in troubleshooting HVAC mechanical systems. It surely is an efficient diagnostic tool that can save any mechanical personnel’s money out of the box! A device that works literally with just a “point and shoot” technology, one might consider Fluke 62 as an indispensable tool providing several helpful ways for any measurement and calibrating operations as discussed below:

  1. Provides accurate temperature measurements

One of the most noticeable features of Fluke 62 MAX+ is its ability to accurately control any temperatures. It is the preferred choice when checking any discharge air temperature. It can also accurately check room thermostat quickly. As well as water coils in HVAC systems can be monitored if it is running the right temperature measurements with the use of the Fluke 62 MAX+. It indicates proper water temperatures and sees if there are any water balance problems. The reliability of the Fluke 62 MAX+ in providing accurate measurements of temperature reduces energy waste and increases comfort in daily mechanical operations.

  1. Helps check equipment operations

A well-maintained HVAC system requires a lot of energy used in testing operations. One of the things that determine a functional HVAC is its steam traps. A failure can result to improper system operations as well as a system freeze up; that is why the Fluke 62 MAX+ is the perfect tool in identifying if a steam trap is broken or needs fixing. Control panels are also crucial elements for every HVAC system. The Fluke 62 MAX+ IR Thermometer enables mechanical personnel to spot the power supply failure and what is causing the improper operation. HVAC’s humidifier can also benefit from the Fluke 62 MAX+ as it helps determine water or steam presence thus increasing the safety of the operator when inspecting the humidifier.

  1. Always provide equal distribution of required elements

Aside from helping determine accurate temperature measurements and ensure the functionality of the HVAC system, the Fluke 62 MAX+ IR Thermometer requires that a room or space has a function air distribution duct as it helps personnel identify which discharge ducts are shut off while noting those that do not show the correct discharge temperature. This device can also help commercial buildings in maintaining their cooling system by making sure that the chilled water temperature matches the set point.

Fluke 62 MAX+ IR Thermometer has been one of the best, if not, the top choice for every mechanical and HVAC calibration operation. It has been tried and tested by many. It surely is the conventional device that you have been looking for! Presidium.PH Corporation is the country’s top distributor of Fluke instruments. You won’t have any second thoughts when availing our products as we assure you that all our Fluke products are authentic coming straight from an official Fluke manufacturer. What are you waiting for? Let us be your reliable partner for reliable testing instruments!

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

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