Data Logger: Current/Amps/Volts/Time - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: John-O
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2022, 09:43:28 pm
content: Howdy, first time poster here, requiring advice and input from those who know, because I dont.I require a data logger to record amps/time/volts etc. The info on the electrical motor is as follow:575 Watts60Hz120VI need to log the amps over time and be able to export it in a graph/data sheet. I think a normal plug in logger unit will be best for our use. What we want to achieve is log the change in amps that will indirectly show the change in torque as the motor works hard or easier. There are so many products available that I am lost as to which is applicable or best suited.Your inputs will be much appreciated, thank you.

author: John-O
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2022, 09:46:57 pm
content: PS: We are using the motor to mix materials and need to measure the mix's resistance when doing so. Seeing that we cant measure the torque, the best way is to measure the amount of amps required during the mixing, plotted over time. This will enable us to compare different mixes and how "easy" or "difficult" they mix.

author: cellularmitosis
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 10, 2022, 10:45:00 pm
content: Rather than log the data, load into excel and generate a graph, perhaps instead you can use an oscilloscope to see the data in real-time?If you can slow the time-base way down to 10 or 20 seconds per division, you can get 2 or 4 minutes of graphing on the screen.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2022, 01:37:28 am
content: Do you really need to record the volts? Normally that is close enough to constant to be considered as such, though you could monitor it for a while to get an idea of how stable it is. What I would try in this case is put a current transformer on the supply to the motor and then interface that to the ADC in your microcontroller of choice, that is assuming you want to build something yourself. The most common and beginner friendly solution is probably going to be an arduino, you'll need a simple analog front end for the current transformer and then you can log the data to a SD card. Loads of other ways to accomplish this but that should give you something to think about.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2022, 02:17:24 am
content: Quote from: John-O on August 10, 2022, 09:43:28 pmIt seems you'd rather find a product rather than roll your own system out of a current transformer + MCU -- is that right?It might help if you listed some of the products you've looked at and we could comment on their pros/cons/suitability.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2022, 01:18:22 pm
content: You might look for one of the older model Dranetz Power Line analyzers. They're really designed more for catching voltage spikes and sags and other interference on AC power lines but they will log voltage and they have options for monitoring AC current as well (not sure if they can log current). Outside of AC Power Professionals not many people are familiar with them and there's not much demand for used ones so they can be had relatively cheaply from E-Greed. I have an old model and it doesn't monitor current but it's dammed good at finding voltage supply problems.Look up some of the specs and manuals of their different models and see if they'll do what you want.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 11, 2022, 03:07:13 pm
content: You just need to log Amperes really, so simplest solution would be a DMM (multimeter) which has an appropriate AC current range and data logging.e.g. Keysight U1272A DMM which has 10A AC current range and 10k datapoint logging (fastest rate 1sec). You would also need the usb-optical cable for reading logged data (or to log directly on you PC if you want). There will be cheaper options, I just like the U1272A, so I'm biased.

author: Terry Bites
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2022, 04:38:43 pm
content: You can just buy these things. eghttps://www.amazon.com/P3-P4400-Electricity-Usage-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2X2CVXZ1X3MCA&keywords=electricity+usage+monitor+plug+logging&qid=1660235857&sprefix=electricity+usage+monitor+plug+loggin%2Caps%2C273&sr=8-7

author: John-O
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2022, 08:35:56 pm
content: Quote from: cellularmitosis on August 10, 2022, 10:45:00 pmI need to log the data/graph and then export it for reporting purposes, so just observing real time measurements wont do unfortunately.

author: John-O
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2022, 08:38:39 pm
content: Quote from: ledtester on August 11, 2022, 02:17:24 amYessir, I want to buy a existing product. I am trying to find some, but dont know of they are well suited:https://microdaq.com/data-loggers/voltage-current.php

author: John-O
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2022, 08:45:25 pm
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on August 11, 2022, 03:07:13 pmThis sounds more like it. I need to:- record time (smaller than 1 second intervals if possible) up to 5min duration- record amperes (to 0.1 decimal or smaller)- log data (Excel type format and graphs)- export and manipulate said data for reporting purposesIt will be best if the logger can be simply be plugged into the existing mixer 110V plug.

author: John-O
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2022, 08:54:19 pm
content: The measured amperes that we obtained with a clamp on KLEIN TOOLS clamp meter electrical test kit was maximum 0.5 amperes and minimum .05 amperes. It could be slightly higher or lower, so I am not looking to measure large amperes.

author: srb1954
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2022, 10:59:05 pm
content: Quote from: John-O on August 11, 2022, 08:45:25 pmA power analyser like a Fluke 43 would do all this. It will also provide additional useful information like real and reactive power, inrush currents, voltage surges etc.This instrument can export its data to the Fluke software, which can produce reports or export data to other S/W. You need to have the special optically isolated interface cable to interface between the PC and the analyser.

author: Chance92
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2022, 11:32:39 pm
content: How about this one?https://www.onsetcomp.com/products/data-loggers/ux120-018I have never used it though.

author: CaptDon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2022, 01:08:33 am
content: Look into the Yokogawa products. I wish I still owned my MV100. It would do exactly what you need. They also have graphing utilities on their website. I sold my MV100 for maybe $100.00 at an amateur radio flea market including all of the support software that I burned to a CD.

author: geggi1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2022, 08:25:55 am
content: Get a VFD.Several of the most common brands have features that lets you export running data to external software.The simplest way would probably be to find a software plugin/module to the VFD that stream load data in CSV format.This can be imported to excel with the "Datastreemer" plugin and presented with charts and numbers in a simple way.

author: John-O
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2022, 12:52:56 pm
content: Quote from: Chance92 on August 11, 2022, 11:32:39 pmThis looks like the type I needPlug and play. Just need to check if the amp and time resolution capturing is small/accurate enough.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2022, 11:58:07 pm
content: Quote from: geggi1 on August 12, 2022, 08:25:55 amHave you ever seen a 120V single phase VFD? I haven't.

author: John-O
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2022, 12:56:56 pm
content: Quote from: Chance92 on August 11, 2022, 11:32:39 pmI ordered this unit and it is precisely what we needed, thank you C92! it works well and and has the correct resolution required. Real easy plug and play - the software is simple and straight forward. No mess no fuss.

author: John-O
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2022, 01:01:45 pm
content: Software comes on a USB stick.

author: Chance92
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2022, 09:02:23 am
content: Quote from: John-O on September 22, 2022, 12:56:56 pmThanks for the update. Glad to see a problem solved!