Budget AU power meter/analyser - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2022, 10:53:18 pm
content: Does anyone have recommendations for a basic 240V AC power meter with an AU plug? Just the basics of voltage, frequency, current, power, power factor would be fine, some basic logging functions would also be wanted. I'm looking for something a bit more reliable and better quality than the one model that seems to be present on ebay, but on the other hand, element14, digikey and other test equipment sellers only have professional grade stuff at many thousands of dollars.On a hunch, I looked at the Uni-T and they have similar things to ebay (but no AU plug) so I assume some of the regular test equipment brands have something.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2022, 06:15:51 pm
content: I have a Power Mate Lite 10A unit which works reasonably well for basic measurements unless you need to measure really low power usage. I bought mine through ESIS, but their website doesn't really describe what it can do very well. A user manual is available via the second link below. I have never used the cost or timer features. If you need real logging, then maybe their other models may suit.https://www.esis.com.au/measurementlogging-products/data-loggers/electrical-power-loggers/power-mate/https://reductionrevolution.com.au/products/power-mate-lite-pml10a

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2022, 09:53:57 pm
content: Yeah something like that looks like a good candidate plus the form factor is handy too.

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2022, 11:16:47 pm
content: Could you confirm whether your meter can measure power factor, VA or VAr? I'm looking at the power-mate higher version specifically (so not the lite one) and it's still unclear to me whether it can. I read through the documents and it makes a reference to measuring it in the blurb of one spec sheet, but then doesn't reference it again the menus or other functions. The documentation is a bit haphazard and seems to be aimed at a less technically inclined customer.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2022, 07:32:02 am
content: Sorry, I haven't been in the office much this last week. Yes, the PML can display PF and VA, but it doesn't specifically show VAr.It defaults to a single parameter at a time (initially watts), but with a few button presses you can scroll through them or display all of them all at once. It is not hard to access the basic functions via the 3 buttons, but I find it a bit weird when trying to set costs or timer. Doesn't bother me as I only use it for quick measurements.See attached photo where I have it measuring a sample 10W RGBW LED. The readings are pretty close to what I get on my Tonghui TH3321, although in this case the VA reading on the TH3321 is higher (~5%), and PF a bit lower. I think that is likely correct as it will be more accurate at low levels as it is limited to 2A vs 10A of the PML. I have some internal photos of the PML if you are at all interested.As you say the published docs are not great so I don't know if the other models can display all the same parameters ... but the front panel legends in green on the PM10A do list PF, VA, and VAR. Based on some older photos, I think those were not on the original version and were added at some point. I believe that these other models of the Power Mate are based on an older design and have just a 6 digit 7-seg LED display rather than a graphical LCD, so they presumably can only show a single parameter at a time.Your best bet is to contact one of the suppliers. Here is another:https://www.cabac.com.au/p/test-and-measurement/electrical/power-meters/pm10a