1. Why can't I connect to the PowerSight Manager
software?
2. How do I connect to my laptop that does not
have a serial port?
You can use any of the USB-to-Serial communications
adapters that we recommend. Click
here to see the
recommended brands.
3. Why can't I receive any data from my PowerSight?
4. Why doesn't my PowerSight read Voltage/Current?
There are many reasons why PowerSight may not be
reading voltage or current. First, check that you
have all the voltage and current leads connected
correctly. Then if that doesn't solve your problem,
check that the frequency mode of the PowerSight is
in the correct mode for your situation. Press the
frequency button and check to see if it reads a
frequency. If it does, change the input ratios on
the unit to 1:1 for both voltage and current. Also
check our
compatibility guide for current and voltage
probe compatibility.
5. Why doesn't my PowerSight turn on?
This is most likely caused by a dead battery. Plug in
a power supply and see that the LED at the top of the
unit is turned on. Make sure you use the correct
rated power supply for the PowerSight that you are
using.
6. How long will the battery last?
This depends on the PowerSight model. The
PS3000 &
PS250 lasts 8-10 hours while the
PS4000 lasts 6-8
hours. Unlike the other 2 models, the PS4000 can
display the charge of the battery and the estimated
time of charge through an internal battery monitoring
circuit. Charging for the PS3000 and PS250 takes
about 12 hours for full charge. Charging for the
PS4000 takes about 3-4 hours for full charge.
7. Why does my voltage/current reading seem to be
off?
This may be caused by an input ration from a previous
user still inside the PowerSight. Change the ratio to
1:1 for all phases and try again. (see PowerSight
Manual) You should also check your frequency mode and make sure that all metal contacts are
clean and securely fastened.
8. How long will it take for my memory to
fill up during data logging?
This depends on your logging period, the amount of
data being stored and the amount of memory available.
The PSM will automatically show you an estimated time
on how log it will take to fill the log. To see this,
just go to the "advanced Data Logging Setup" for PSM
version 2.1 and to the "Data Setup" button for PSM
version 3.1. This is where you can choose what you
want PowerSight to record into memory. You can also
press the "Time" button 3 times and it will tell you
the "time to fill log".
9. What is a Logging Interval?
A logging interval is the amount of time you choose
to have PowerSight record a record into memory. This can be
anywhere between 1 second and 99 minutes. For
example, with a PS4000 set to default and having a
maximum of 1000 consumption records and a logging
interval set to 1 minute, it will take 1000 minutes
for PowerSight to fill the data log. Over that 1
minute interval, it will record the max, min and avg.
over that time.
10. How do I use the Data Setup feature of PSM?
See the Data Setup wizard for a step-by-step
walkthrough. (not available )
11. How often do I need to have the PowerSight
calibrated?
We recommend that you have the PowerSight calibrated
once every year. We also recommend that all voltage
and current probes are sent in with the unit.
12. Can I use other manufacturers' current probes
with PowerSight?
No, only current probes made by Summit Technology can
be used with the PowerSight Products. This is because
all of our probes are "self-identifying" meaning the
user does not have to use an input ratio to use the
probes, and powered by PowerSight instead of
batteries. If there is a special need to use a certain
probe,
let us know.
13. Why can't I receive any data I recorded in
"Disturbance Monitoring"?
The Disturbance monitoring mode in the PS3000 does
not record any data into memory. All the data is
shown on the display of the PowerSight by pressing
the "Spikes" button. This will show you how many
events occurred. Press the "More" button for more
details on the events. The PS4000 does not have the
Disturbance Monitoring feature because it does all
swell/dip/inrush and transient detection while
consumption monitoring.
14. How do I measure voltages above 600 volts AC?
15. Why won't my PS4000 run on an LDC for more than
6-8 hours?
You may be using the wrong
LDC. If you are using the
black LDC, it can't source any more than 50mA to the
PS4000 while the PS4000 needs 200mA to run. You
should be using the LDC4 model that is a tan colored
box. It can source up to 1/2 amp.
16. How do I measure a large load carried by
2 or more parallel conductors?
There are two approaches to making this
measurement. You may be able to wrap one
of our flexible current probes around all of the
conductors and then record normally. For
instance, our
FX3000 current probe is a rope that is 24
inches long. when formed into a circle, it
has a 7 inch diameter. When formed into an
oval, it can wrap around most bus bars.
If this approach will not work, you can clamp a
current probe around one of the conductors and
enter an input ratio into PowerSight that will
make the readings reflect the total current.
For example, to get a reasonably accurate result
using
HA1000 probes and trying to measure
4
conductors that carry one phase, you clamp the
HA1000 around one of the conductors and enter an
input ratio of 4:1 for that current probe.
Very often, the currents in each leg of parallel
cables are not equal. Consequently, it is
likely that using a ratio of 3:1 in the
preceding example will not yield results as
accurate as they could be. Consult the
"Measuring Multiple Parallel Conductors" section
in your manual for a more accurate method of
determining input ratios when clamped onto one
of several parallel cables.
17. How do I add THD data to my data log?
For PS3000 meters whose firmware is version 2.8 or
newer and for all other PowerSight meters, THD is
added to the data log by first connecting your meter
to PSM and entering into the Data Setup menu.
Next, if you have a PS4000, click on the "Detail"
button in the Monitoring Activities Section.
If you have a PS250 or PS3000, click on the "Choose
Measurement Types" button in the Log Capacity
section. At this point, a matrix of all the
measurement types are shown. Click on the
boxes in front of the various THD signals to either
include them in the log (check mark appears in the
box) or exclude them from the log (the box is
empty). When done, click on "OK" and
then on the "Save to PowerSight" button to save
these changes into your meter.
If you have a PS3000 with firmware older than 2.8, AutoTHD
Logging can be enabled or disabled by
pressing the "Admin" key several times until it
displays the present state of AutoTHD logging.
If you wish to change the present state of AutoTHD
Logging, press the "No" key and then press the "Yes"
key to accept the new state.
If you have any other questions, please let us know
by
phone or by
email and our technical
support staff will be happy to help you.
