An Essential Tool for Measuring Optical Power

The fiber optic power-meter is a test instrument for optical fiber power measurements as well as fiber optic loss related testing, an essential tool for measuring optical power within a fiber optic link. The current selection of hand held type fiber optic testers offer a wide range of power measurements with highly accurate precision, some with an automatic self-calibration function. The fiber optic power meter is a tool used for many optical fiber applications taking measurements across a broad range wavelengths from various power and energy sources. Power Meters are widely used by the Telecom and CATV sectors to support FTTx deployments, fiber network testing, certification reporting and of course the basic power measurements. Test Equipment Connection offers the widest selection of new and used power meters starting at $695 (Kingfisher KI3600-GE-MP).

The Kingfisher KI9600-InGaAs Optical Power Meter is optimized for single mode and CWDM applications offering 9 calibration wavelengths with 2% accuracy.

The JDSU OLP-6 optical power meter which has a very easy to use three-button operation and a bright, clear display. The reference level for the attenuation measurement is made to IEC-874-1 and can be saved with a single keystroke.

Wilcom’s T-339E is a ruggedized optical power meter that utilizes advanced microprocessor technology to provide for easy, accurate and stable calibration as well as error free, non volatile digital storage of reference measurements.

Electrocorder Voltage and Current Logger Questions and Answers

Q What is the Electrocorder?
A. Electrocorders are a range of voltage and current loggers. They allow users to monitor and record voltages and currents in electrical systems, the products record the average voltage or current, maximum voltage or current, & minimum voltage or current, with dates and times. The loggers store this data to internal memory for later analysis using Electrosoft, the supplied Windows (9X, NT, 2K, ME, XP, Vista, Windows 7) based software. The Electrocorder allows users to quickly and cost effectively monitor supplies.

Q Why is the Electrocorder different?
A. The Electrocorder range use a constant sampling technique, unlike the single reading of competitors. When the loggers start to record, they sample every channel 16 times per cycle, a cycle is 16ms at 60Hz and 20ms at 50Hz. At the end of each averaging period, 3 quantities are saved for each channel, the True RMS average, the Max, which is the highest cycle value during the period and the Min, lowest cycle value. This means that it will record all the peaks and troughs which are one cycle or longer.

Q. What Models are available?
A. EC-1V Single phase voltage logger, IP65/NEMA 12/4 logger with lead.
EC-1A Single phase current logger.
EC-2V Two phase voltage logger, IP65/NEMA 12/4 logger with lead.
EC-2VA Single phase voltage and current logger (300A).
AL-2VA Single phase voltage and current Appliance Logger (16A).
SL-3V Miniature three phase, 500V voltage logger.
EC-3CT Three phase3, 300A current logger.
EC-3A Three phase, 300A, 1kA, 2kA, 3kA current logger range.
EC-6VA Three phase, 500V, 300A, 1kA, 2kA, 3kA current logger range.

Q How does it work?
A. The Electrocorder samples the voltage or current input 16 or 32 times per cycle (model dependent), it then averages each voltage cycle over the selected period (1 sec to 60 min). A cycle is 20ms for 50Hz or 16.6ms for 60Hz. Throughout each averaging period, it monitors and records the lowest & highest voltage (and/or current) cycle values and stores these along with date and time in memory. For example, on a single channel voltage logger (EC-1V-IP65):- You want to record voltage over a period of 1 week – you set the Electrocorder EC-1V to have an averaging period of 2 minutes, which actually gives 10 days of logging. The Electrocorder will sample every voltage cycle. During each 2 minute period it calculates a running total. At the end of the period the rms voltage over that preceding 2 minute period is calculated and saved. Also during the preceding 2 minute period it will have recorded the single lowest voltage cycle value and the single highest voltage value. For example, at the start of the 2 minute period the Electrocorder will start sampling every voltage cycle. It looks at each cycle value and compares each to the lowest and highest it has seen to this point during this 2 minute period, if the value is lower (90V) than the previous lowest (101V) then it will replace the value in the ‘min voltage’ location. Similarly if it is higher (230V) than the previous highest (222V), it will replace the value in the ‘max voltage’ location.

The Electrocorder will not identify the exact time of the max or min, except that it occurred during this 2 minute period, which does have a date and time! It will record and calculate the average (RMS) voltage or current over successive 2 minute periods, along with the date and time. So, for each 2 minute period, 3 values will be recorded, (1) Average Voltage (230V), the average of every cycle during the 2 minute period, (2) Minimum Voltage (209V), the lowest cycle voltage and (3) Maximum Voltage (241V), the highest cycle voltage.

Q Can it detect spikes?
A. YES, it will see events of 1 cycle (16/20ms, 60/50Hz) or longer. It will record a single minimum and a single maximum voltage cycle (16/20ms) during each averaging period. If the averaging period were set to 10 seconds, the Electrocorder would sample every cycle 32 times and at the end of each 10 second period, calculate an RMS average, also during the 10 second period it would record the lowest and highest cycle value. Domestic customers do not normally see events less than one cycle!

Q Does it measure true RMS voltage?
A. YES, it samples every voltage cycle 32 times and calculates the RMS value at the end of each averaging period. It can be set to measure to EN 50160:1994 (10 minute rolling average).

Q Does it measure and conform to recording standard EN 50160:1994?
(“Voltage characteristics of electricity supplied by public distribution systems”).
A. YES.

Q What Category (CAT) is the Electrocorder?
A. Model dependent, please see the relevant datasheet.

Q Can the software be run on Linux or a MAC?
A. No, only PC Windows based at present, however we are developing Electrosoft to run on these other „platforms‟.

Q Is the Electrocorder available with other memory sizes?
A. The basic models have 64 kilobytes per channel of non-volatile SEEPROM, we may be able to supply extra memory, please contact your local distributor or Acksen Ltd.

Q How accurate is the Electrocorder?
A. Within the range 90 to 260 Vac accuracy is ±1% of reading.

Q How do harmonics effect its accuracy?
A. The Electrocorder measures true RMS, so harmonics will have little effect on the measurement – this is true to a limit, for example, where there is severe harmonic distortion, the RMS measurement will become inaccurate.

Q What is the frequency response of the Electrocorder?
A. 45Hz to 65Hz. The -3dB points are at approximately 45Hz & 65Hz.

Q Can it measure neutral to earth instead of live to earth?
A. Yes.

Q Does the Electrocorder work on 60 Hz?
A. YES, it is designed for both 50 and 60Hz power frequencies.

Q How long can the Electrocorder record for?
A. This depends on the model and averaging period you choose, the maximum sample time is several months. Set to a 1 second averaging period, it will record for 2 hrs, 12 sec for 1 day and 60 min for 300 days.

Q What sampling intervals are available (EC-1V)?
A. This is model dependent, the loggers can be set to have an averaging period from 1 second to 60 minutes, approximate logging times are:-
1 second = 2 hrs recording.
12 seconds = 1 day recording.
1 minute = 5 days recording.
10 minutes = 50 days recording.
60 minutes = 300 days recording.

Q What is the battery life of the Electrocorder?
A. The internal (changeable) battery will last approximately 12 to 24 months model dependent, please see the relevant datasheet- there is a low battery warning.

Q What is the delivery time for the Electrocorder?
A. For small orders 2 – 3 weeks, for large orders (greater than 200) typically 8 – 10 weeks.

Q To which standards does the Electrocorder conform?
A. General:
IEC61010 (CAT II, 300V)
Low Voltage Directive – LVD
Measurement EN 50160 : 1994
“Voltage characteristics of electricity supplied by public distribution systems.”
CE marked, 3V/m:-
Emissions EN 55022 : 1994B, (EN 50081-1 : 1992)
Immunity EN 50082-1 : 1992, following the provisions of EMC Directive 89/336/EEC.
Recording EN 50160 1994.

Q Is more memory available?
A. Standard models have 64 kilobytes per channel. If you need more memory please contact Acksen.

Q When I use a USB to serial converter the logger does not download data properly?
A. Many, many USB converters do not conform to the RS-232 standard, we can supply you with one that does work properly with the Electrocorder range! It may well be that the conmverter you use does work consistently with other equipments, this of course does not mean that the converter itself works properly and conform to “Radio Standard No.232, or RS-232 for short.

Q. Sometimes when I attempt to download data, I get a message saying there is no data?
A. If the battery gets temporarily knocked out during transport, or it has „died‟, the processor can get a reset. The battery is used to keep the clock running. To extract the data you will need to use the Data Recovery option in the Tools Menu. If the battery appears good (when you connect the logger), then ignore the step which refers to replacing the batteries. When you registered Electrosoft free online, you were given a 4 or 5 digit Registration Key, this number also acts as the password.

Q How is the Electrocorder calibrated?
A. The unit is calibrated from within Electrosoft, simply choose the menu option and follow the instructions, which tell to connect it into a known regulated and calibrated voltage and current supply (clean 50 or 60Hz), then follow the instructions.

Q What is the password needed for calibration?
A. When you registered Electrosoft free online, you were given a 4 or 5 digit Registration Key, this number also acts as the password.

Q Can the Electrocorder be re-calibrated without returning to Acksen?
A. YES, this can be done by anyone (with a calibrated AC voltage supply).

Q Does the Electrocorder conform to LVD (Low Voltage Directive)?
A. YES.

Q What are the dimensions of the Electrocorder?
A. This depends on the model, please refer to the relevant datasheet.

Q Will the Electrocorder work at 110v and 60 Hz?
A. YES.

Q How accurate is the Electrocorder at 110V and 60 Hz?
A. Normally 1% of reading for voltage and around 5% for current, please refer to the relevant datasheet.

Q Is there a 3 phase version of the Electrocorder?
A. Yes, the EC364 and EC664 ranges are 3 phase.

Q The Electrocorder seems not to record dips and spikes, explain?
A. It will not see voltage spikes or dips of less than 1 cycle (20/16ms) in duration. The Electrocorder is a voltage recorder, it is designed to allow the power company to determine whether or not voltage in a customers premises is generally low or high and whether or not further investigation is needed; it will record events of one cycle duration.

Q Can the Electrocorder measure 415 or 430 Vac?
A. Yes, some models are 600V, while some are 300V, please check the relevant datasheets.

Q Can the Electrocorder measure and record 650V and 3 phase?
A. No, the present units are only CAT III, 600V, if you have special requirements, please contact Acksen.

Q Can the Electrocorder measure power factor?
A. Presently no, this may be implemented in future models, if you have special requirements, please contact Acksen.

Q Can the Electrocorder measure reactive power?
A. Presently no, this may be implemented in future models, if you have special requirements, please contact Acksen.

Q Can the Electrocorder measure and record current?
A. YES, some models do, please visit www.electrocorder.com

Q Can the Electrocorder measure and record temperature?
A. Presently no, this may be implemented in future models, if you have special requirements, please contact Acksen.

Q Can the Electrocorder measure and record humidity?
A. Presently no, this may be implemented in future models, if you have special requirements, please contact Acksen.

Q Can the Electrocorder measure and record light intensity?
A. Presently no, this may be implemented in future models, if you have special requirements, please contact us, www.electrocorder.com.

Q Can the Electrocorder measure and record sound intensity?
A. Presently no, this may be implemented in future models, if you have special requirements, please contact Acksen.

Q What size of spikes and dips can it detect?
A. It will not see voltage dips (or swells) of less than 20/16 milliseconds (1 cycle) in duration.

Q Can the Electrocorder measure frequency?
A. The present models do not, however this can be set by Acksen it involves a small hardware change. This cannot be programmed from the PC YET! In later versions of the Electrocorder, we will allow the user to program this.

Q Can Electrocorders measure harmonics?
A. Presently NO, this may be implemented in future models, if you have special requirements, please contact Acksen.

Q Why use a Plug-in Electrocorder?
A. The Electrocorder is designed to allow Power Companies to very quickly react to customer voltage complaints and establish if there is a problem – they can then use more sophisticated equipment to fully diagnose the problem.
1) Increase Customer Care and Quality of Service by reacting instantly to complaints!
2) Free-up key staff time, allowing them to concentrate on priorities!
3) Free-up high cost inventory for priority work, e.g. why use a Dranetz in domestic situations

Q Which mains plug standards are available?
A. Europe – CEE 7/16 („19mm Europlug‟) -/EU

• UK & Ireland – BS1363 (13A square pin) -/UKI

• North America – NEMA 5-15 -/NA

• Australia – AS 3112 -/ANZ

• New Zealand – NZ SS 198-1967 -/ANZ

• Waterproof – IP65 -/IP65 NEMA 12/4

• Other standards can be supplied, for example BS932 (15A round pin)

Upcoming Courses at Oklahoma State University

GROUNDING AND SHIELDING OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

How to Diagnose and Solve Electromagnetic Interference and Signal Integrity Problems

16 Hours; 1.6 CEUs
March 1-2, 2012
OSU Campus – Stillwater, OK

Course Description:
Most engineers and technicians using or designing electronic systems have not had formal training concerning grounding and shielding techniques. Learning how to solve electromagnetic interference and signal integrity problems on the job can be very expensive for the employer and frustrating for the engineer. Most of the electromagnetic and circuit principles involved are simple. However, the complexity of many systems masks the logic and simplicity of possible solutions.

This course: treats signals as currents; explains fundamental grounding, shielding, and signal routing principles; clarifies troublesome terminology; and demonstrates many techniques for identifying and fixing electrical interference problems. The principles will be described as concepts rather than theoretical equations. The emphasis on concepts will make the course useful for people with a wide range of experiences. Several interference mechanisms and shielding techniques will be demonstrated. For more information and registration, please visit: http://gs-course.okstate.edu/

REVERBERATION CHAMBER THEORY / EXPERIMENT SHORT COURSE
40 Hours; 4.0 CEUs
September 17 – 21, 2012
OSU Campus – Stillwater, OK

Course Description:
Participants will have a thorough understanding of the operation of a reverberation chamber for EMC testing. They will have developed a test plan for an immunity test with specified conditions and objectives. They will also have a permanent record of data collected and analyzed, and an extensive set of notes. For more information and registration, please visit: http://rc-course.okstate.edu/

HIGH INTENSITY RADIATED FIELDS (HIRF) COURSE

Electromagnetic Effects Compliance for Aircraft HIRF/Lightning Design, Test Methods, and Regulatory Compliance

28 Hours; 2.8 CEUs
September 25 – 28, 2012
OSU Campus – Stillwater, OK

Course Description:
This comprehensive workshop will provide an awareness of all aspects of systems and aircraft HIRF testing as a route to compliance and will include:

• Why HIRF is important
• The FAA/European requirements to demonstrate compliance – FAA/EASA Harmonized HIRF rule released in the Federal Register for comment, and will replace the interim special conditions.
• Equipment Qualification
• Aircraft certification and testing
• Pitfalls and problems
• Design issues
• An overview of lightning requirements and design

With particular emphasis on practical measurement, this workshop is particularly relevant to engineers and technicians involved in aircraft HIRF certification. For more information and registration, please visit: http://hirf-course.okstate.edu/

We thought this would be of interest to our readers as we have recently posted about standards in measurement. Currently there is no world standard for electrical use (voltage/frequency) or connectivity.

World Voltage and Frequencies
The information below summarizes electrical systems currently in use around most of the world.

World Electrical Plugs
The original two pin electrical plug and socket were invented by Harvey Hubbell and patented in 1904. The image below shows a variety of the most common worldwide plugs currently in use.