Breakout boxes for AC/DC power measument with analyzer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 14, 2021, 11:12:19 am
content: I was looking for single phase AC mains power measurement adapters for power meters/analyzers and made short summary on what's available on the market.Power analyzers typically use 4/5 or 3 wire break-out boxes with 4 mm banana plugs/sockets, this makes AC power (also DC in some cases) measurement much easier to setup. 3 wire setup in most cases is practically identical to 4/5 wire setup (depending on what you want to measure), it depends on wiring setup on power analyzer.Breakout boxes are kinda expensive, although it is easy to make your own based on professional examples. In general breakout boxes are interchangeable (make sure it matches your actual setup).4/5 wire adapter boxes:GW-Instek GPM-001 (GPM-8213/8310 power meter)TekTronix BB1000 (PA1000, PA3000, PA4000)Voltech universal breakout box (PM1000+, PM3000A)Chroma A662003 Measurement test fixture (66201/66202 digital power meter)Chroma A662022 Measurement test fixture (66205 digital power meter)ITECH IT-E185 Measurement test fixture (IT9121/IT9121E power)3 wire adapter boxes:Hameg HZ815 power adapter (HM8015/HM8115-2 power meter)Rohde & Schwarz HZC815 adapter (HMC8015 power analyzer)Gossen MetraWat Z228A (MetraHit PMA16) current and power measurement adapter (29S, MetraHit Energy DMM)UNI-T UT-S10 wattmeter adapter (UT71E DMM)Power meters with no official* mains measurement adapter - plug banana/spade plugs into meter or use other fitting measurement boxes:Yokogawa WT series of power analyzers and power meters (very good documentation on connections)Tonghui TH3311/3312/3321/3331Everfine PF9810/9811HIOKI power analyzersEEVBlog 121GWPeakTech 2510*based on publicly available info.Share any missing info or your creations for simpler AC/DC measurement setup.

author: nfmax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2021, 04:32:32 pm
content: Two homebrewed breakouts. One for use with a Voltech analyser, and the other (being a defunct remote-controlled mains socket) for use with an oscilloscope. It allows a high-voltage differential probe and a current probe to be safely connected

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 15, 2021, 01:05:15 am
content: The one I built to use with my TH3321 is quite basic.I would be happier if the TH3321 could take sheathed banana plugs.

author: Sighound36
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2021, 12:31:06 pm
content: I built one for the Tek PA1000 it features UK and US socketsTotal build cost £60 in total plus a couple of hours to build easy afternoon project.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 12, 2022, 04:10:23 pm
content: DIY version for 3 wire power analyzers. Switch on the front, fuses are in IEC C14 socket.

author: _Wim_
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2022, 05:16:39 pm
content: This is my testbox I use with a Voltech PM6000 power analyzer and also just as a standalone in the power supply cable of the DUT. It has the option to measure with an internal shunt (voltage sensed via XLR) or with the external shunt installed in the PM6000. Some additional banana ports are added for other measurement purposes (for example across the "open" I can install a current probe for scoping)

author: f14
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2022, 01:13:51 am
content: I make a DIY test fixture box with few bucks for my 66202 and WT310the old CHROMA A662003 I feel more "friendly" than new A662022

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 24, 2022, 07:12:56 pm
content: AC breakout boxes are pretty popular. For DC applications it seems less popular because DC power is easier to measure.I think of adding DC breakout box just for convenience, as in some cases wiring gets tricky with 3 sets of connections - DUT, DC PSU and power meter.

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2022, 07:56:15 pm
content: AC has standard connectors, at least in most countries. DC has a wide variety of connectors, from all kinds of barrel jacks, to various USB versions to proprietary connectors. That makes a breakout box less practical. If you have banana jack inputs and outputs, then you barely need a breakout box. You might as well plug the leads into the DMMs directly.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 24, 2022, 08:14:25 pm
content: Good points on DC aspect. I will compare difficulty of making DC breakout box vs making multiple non-standard connectors compatible with 4mm bananas.