Electrical data collection - Fluke VR1710
1/29/2013 at 8:10:47 PM
Does any other electrical contractor have electrical data collectors that they have used and can give experiences with?
Single phase, 120 volt power recorder mainly to measure fluctuations around 80-150 volts.
I want to buy a fluke VR1710, but at $1200, not sure if it is worth the expense.
Some extech models are also recommended, but I have no experience with Extech (claims to be Flir family - which isn't half bad).
1/31/2013 at 8:58:01 AM
Hi Robert
I use two approaches to this. If I need to long term recording (more than 24 hours) I just rent the equipment from a company. For me, at this point it was not worth the cost. As an example the certification meter for certifying network copper and fibre is almost $30,000.00. You need to be doing that every day, all day long to justify that cost, so I just rent one when needed.
For smaller job, I just use my DVM. I have a Greenlee that has an adapter that will allow a download to a laptop running the software to record whatever the meter is testing (voltage, Amps, Temp, etc). The software is configurable to record in milliseconds to hours. The only sort of issue I have had with it is that I needed to jury rig up a 9V output power supply so the meter and the clamp-on ammeter will not turn off or die.
The software exports the data to an excel spreadsheet. I have used that a number of times with great success. I have some recordings, so I will try to track one down and send it to you as an example if oyu are interested. You are more than welcome to even try it out if you want. I have not used it in a while now, so it probably needs some updates!!!
Cheers
John
John Kuehnl-Cadwell
Master Electrician
Datawise Solutions Inc
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