The new Fluke 438-II Power Quality and Motor Analyzer analyzes three-phase power quality along with torque, efficiency and speed to determine system performance and detect overloaded conditions, eliminating the need for motor load sensors, according to the company.
The Fluke 438-II provides analysis data for the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the motor while it is in operation. Using proprietary algorithms, the 438-II measures the three-phase current and voltage waveforms and compares them against rated specifications to calculate motor mechanical performance. The analysis is presented in simple readouts, making it easy to gauge the operating performance and determine if adjustments are needed before failures cause an operational shut down, according to the company.
The analyzer provides measurements to determine a motor’s efficiency (i.e. the conversion of electrical energy to mechanical torque) and mechanical power under operating load conditions. These measures allow maintenance engineers to determine the motor's in-service operating power compared to its rated power to determine if the motor is operating in overloaded condition or, inversely, if it is oversized for the application energy may be wasted and operating cost increased, according to Fluke.
The 438-II is part of the Fluke 430 Series of three-phase power quality analyzers that provide frontline troubleshooting and long-term trending.