[RE-wrenches] Quantifying power quality

[Chris Mason]

If the SI system has enough reserve, run it totally off-grid with the grid
as backup. Then they will never see any transitions.

On Sun, Oct 12, 2014 at 10:40 AM, Tump <tump at swnl.net> wrote:

> Thats the best fix I've heard yet!
> Document then DUMP IT! With the power logger you would also be able to
> capture the transition from utility to SI for your home auto gusto see if
> he is able to accept the power quality too.
>
> On Oct 12, 2014, at 10:24 AM, Chris Mason wrote:
>
> I recently worked on a Sunny Island/Sunny Boy system in a nearby island,
> that powered and protected a complete Home Automation system, including the
> airco system keeping it cool. I had to restart the Sunny Islands to sort
> out a COMS problem, which revealed some IT issues. It turns out the Sunny
> Island system had kept it all running smoothly for about four years without
> an issue so no-one had realized some of the firmware was crunched. I would
> get rid of the UPS altogether and that ends the problem.
>
> On Sun, Oct 12, 2014 at 8:01 AM, Tump <tump at swnl.net> wrote:
>
>> I have in the past have used the Fluke power logger 1735 , It will
>> monitor 1/3 phases voltages spikes/dips in V, A, Hz , +++ AND one is able
>> to print out a time line of all the "occurrences" that may trip the UPS. I
>> rent this from some folks in Texas quite reasonable ~ $230/month or weekly
>> too. NO MORE finger pointing!
>>  I found that when the generator was charging the batteries, the UPS's
>> acceptable voltage window was below the limits and began beeping, due to
>> the poor voltage regulation of the gen under hi load/charging conditions.
>> Are you able to log the Hz as well as the voltages? The ups sometimes
>> have very close voltage windows that they work within. The SI/SB's power
>> quality should NOT be the issue. With this power logger one is able to see
>> a time line and figure out what it operating at the time of "fault/beep"
>> utility power or generator power. Contact me off list for rental contact
>> info or if you would like to see what the graphs look like. Tool is easy to
>> use and VERY informative.
>> On Oct 12, 2014, at 1:21 AM, William Miller wrote:
>>
>> Friends:
>>
>> I am still having a pi$$ing match with the company that installed the
>> expensive home entertainment system for a client over the issue of power
>> quality.  The UPS beeps frequently and the AV system crashes now and then.
>> The lead installer has copped an attitude and is blaming the Sunny Island /
>> Sunny Boy / Generac system for the AV system problems.  The UPS emails
>> reports in flurries that indicate a “power failure” has occurred.
>>
>> I have a Dataq data acquisition system sampling at a rate that allows me
>> to see the individual cycles on the system output on one of three phases.
>> During the time that a power failure is reported to have occurred each and
>> every cycle looks great.  I know this is not a definitive test of power
>> quality so I upped my game.  I bought a Fluke VR1710 power monitor and I am
>> recording power quality from the same receptacle that feeds the UPS.
>>
>> I have some log files from the Fluke Power Log software but the
>> instructions are not that great and I don’t know how to interpret the
>> data.  Do any of you have any experience with this software and could
>> possibly advise me?
>>
>> In a more general sense, how good is power to be called “good”?  I have
>> done some research and the industry material is a bit overwhelming.  Does
>> anyone have a short answer?
>>
>> And lastly, even though the UPS is beeping, if it is doing what it is
>> designed to do, the power quality should not be an issue because the UPS
>> corrects for any problems.  (Actually the UPS was beeping—the best move in
>> this situation was to mute the annunciator so at least the homeowner is not
>> hearing the beeper.)
>>
>> I know others of you are dealing with the same problems because it came
>> up on this forum.  I am interested in an approach that verifies the Sunny
>> Islands are producing adequately good power, or not, so I can either
>> address the problem or get the AV guy off my rear end.
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>> William
>>
>>
>> <image002.jpg>
>> Lic 773985
>> millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
>> 805-438-5600
>>
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>> *Tump at swnl.net*               *www.SWNL.net*
>>                 Solarwinds Northernlights
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>> *                         207-832-7574 <207-832-7574>   Cl. 610-517-8401
>> <610-517-8401>                              *
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>
>
> --
> Chris Mason
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
> Solar Design Engineer
> Generac Generators Industrial technician
>
> www.cometsolar.com <http://www.cometenergysystems.com/>
> 264.235.5670
> 869.662.5670
> Skype: netconcepts
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> *Tump at swnl.net*               *www.SWNL.net*
>                 Solarwinds Northernlights
> *       Serving Mid Coast Maine & Northern California*
> *                         207-832-7574 <207-832-7574>   Cl. 610-517-8401
> <610-517-8401>                              *
>                               *Blair "TUMP" May*
>
>
> *               ********  MAINE'S CHARTER ******** *                   *
> NABCEP    "Certified PV Installer"*
>
>
> *                 ********  MAINE'S CHARTER ********          **
> Trace Xantrex "Certified" Dealer / Installer"*
>
>
>
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-- 
Chris Mason
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
Solar Design Engineer
Generac Generators Industrial technician

www.cometsolar.com <http://www.cometenergysystems.com>
264.235.5670
869.662.5670
Skype: netconcepts
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