A machine builder measured two tube-bending machines with a rented logger. Both had a poor power factor, for two different reasons. Real data, two power factor numbers, and why capacitors fix one machine and not the other.
Rogowski coils are popular because they make current measurement much easier. They can be wrapped around large cables and busbars, installed in tight spaces, and used for high-current measurements without interrupting the conductor. But once the coil is installed, the obvious question is how accurate the measurement actually is. This is why two measurements taken…
The Meatrol Mi550 and the Fluke 1736/1738 are portable three-phase power and energy loggers used for load profiling, energy audits, solar PV sizing and power quality screening. Both log voltage, current, power, power factor, energy and harmonics up to the 50th order, and both meet IEC 61000-4-30 Class S. The practical difference: the Mi550 is…
Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power: PF = kW ÷ kVA. A reading of 1.0 means all supplied power does useful work; below roughly 0.9–0.95, most network operators start charging penalties. To calculate it, measure real power (kW) and apparent power (kVA) with a power analyser and divide. The Invoice…
To size a commercial solar or backup power system correctly, log the site’s actual consumption — per-phase power, peak kVA, and power factor — for at least one full operating cycle. Measured data exposes phase imbalances and true peak demand that utility bills hide, preventing undersized inverters and overcapitalised arrays. Designing solar and backup systems…
Solar self-consumption analysis is essential for anyone looking to maximize the value of their solar PV system. As feed-in tariffs have declined and the value of exporting electricity to the grid has dropped, analyzing and optimizing how much solar energy you use on-site has become crucial.
A load profile is a record of a site’s power consumption over time, typically logged at 1- to 15-minute intervals for at least a week. In commercial solar design, it shows when and how much power is actually used, so the PV array, inverters, and batteries can be sized to real demand instead of estimates….
Are you interested in energy efficiency and renewable energy? I would like to share with you, my journey of working in these fields since 2008. Back in 2008, South Africa started experiencing, its first grid power failures, from insufficient generation, and too much consumption of electricity. This, is when the term loadshedding, was first introduced….
The founder’s story behind AmpX: from LED retrofits during loadshedding to importing affordable energy loggers that are actually easy to use.
AmpX now stocks energy logging devices in Germany, with EU-wide delivery in four days, euro pricing and support in English, German and Afrikaans.
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