Power analysis

Compact modular power analyser delivers enhanced intelligence and performance

Carlo Gavazzi has a new price/performance level within the company’s energy management range. The WM40-96 smart power quality analyser delivers accurate measurements including current, voltage, power, energy and harmonics – with precise parametric analysis, control, data stamping and retransmission. It is all packaged in a compact plug-and–play modular format that simplifies installation and streamlines inventory management.

With applications throughout the energy management market, the new analyser will be of particular interest to switch-gear panel builders serving medium, large and heavy industry.

Starting with a base unit that provides the display, touch-panel, power supply and measurement inputs, users can then add up to three slim line modules to the rear for alarms, pulse outputs, I/O and data communications interfaces.

A mono LCD occupies much of the base unit’s 96mm-square frontage. All necessary information is available at a glance on the front panel’s customisable home page, which is readily configured by the user. Values of actual vs. installed power are displayed continuously to provide immediate alerts to potential power overloads. White and blue backlights enhance readability and the backlight alternates these colours in sequence to indicate alarm conditions. Up to 16 virtual alarms can be configured by the user for all measurements with OR/AND logic; and these can be linked with up to four relay outputs or optionally up to six static outputs.

Also on the front panel is an optical communication port to enable easy programming and fast access to measurements.

Touch panel technology gives major advantages over traditional push-buttons for selecting from the four main variable areas: energy metering; current-voltage-frequency metering; power and power-factor metering; and harmonic analysis.

The WM40-96 provides high accuracy measurements, rated Class 0.5 (kWh) according to EN62053-22, Class C (kWh) according to EN50470-3, Class 2 (kvarh) according to EN62053-23 and ANSI C12.20, CA 0.5, ANSI C12.1 (revenue grade). Errors are better than ±0.2% RDG for current and voltage.

Additional intelligent analysis includes averaging, minimum and maximum values of all the system and single-phase variables, four quadrant energy measurements and total harmonic distortion (THD) and total demand distortion (TDD) calculations. FFT harmonic analysis is carried out up to the 32nd harmonic (current and voltage), ensuring dependable measurements for load control and alarming.

Whilst the base module alone acts as a simple monitoring device, the meter is completed by stacking low-profile modules on the rear of the base unit. Up to three flat modules can be added: one each of type A, B and C. Depth behind the panel is just 50mm with a single option module.

Dual channel relay output (SPDT) and dual channel static output (AC/DC Opto-Mos) modules are type A. Type B designates analogue outputs including a dual channel 20mA current module and dual channel 10V DC voltage device. Data communications facilities are added using type C modules: currently available are a fast RS485/RS232 serial port, Modbus over Ethernet TCP/IP interface and a BACNet-IP port. Ports have integral memory to provide data and event stamping for up to 10,000 events.

As with other Carlo Gavazzi energy meters and analysers, the WM40-96 carries CE marking and UL certifications.