What instrument is used to measure power? The question is quite relevant, since at present the electrical network is available everywhere. Almost nothing works without electricity. Not surprisingly, this has led to the enormous popularity of instruments that measure the performance of such networks. An important fact is that power can only be measured in watts. However, in some cases there is a need to convert watts to kilowatts. Most often this is done for the convenience of calculations.
General description of electrical networks
Power is one of the three main parameters that characterizes the electrical network. This parameter reflects the amount of work that the current does in one unit of time. It is important to understand here that the total power of all devices included in the network should not exceed that supplied by the supplier. If this happens, then negative consequences are possible, starting with equipment failure and ending with a short circuit and subsequent fire. In order to avoid such troubles, power meters called wattmeters were invented.
It is important to understand here thatin a DC circuit, this parameter can be measured without using this device. To do this, use multiplication. The voltage and current values in the circuit are multiplied. However, the same method cannot be dispensed with in an alternating current circuit. It is for such networks that measuring devices and tools were invented.
Use of equipment
The main sources using these units are electrical appliance repair shops. Wattmeters are also actively used in the electric power industry, as well as mechanical engineering. Household appliances have become another fairly common model. The main buyers of such products are electronics lovers, computer owners or just people who want to save on electricity.
One little fact. In some cases, it is necessary to convert watts to kilowatts. This is most often done in industrial applications where the power is so high that if measured in watts, the values would be too high. When converting units of measurement, there is such a rule: 1000 W is 1 kW.
Most often devices are used for such purposes as:
- determining the capacity of a single unit;
- testing the entire electrical circuit or its individual parts;
- device he alth monitoring;
- metering the electricity consumption of all connected devices.
Brief description of instrument types
It's important to start here before you start measuringpower, usually measure current and voltage. Based on the chosen measurement method, subsequent conversion and output of the received data, there are such types of measuring instruments and tools as digital and analog.
Analogue types of devices differ in that they have a semicircular scale, as well as a moving arrow. They are also divided into two smaller groups - self-recording and showing. These devices reflect the power of only the active section of the circuit. The device measures in watts (W).
Digital power meters (wattmeters) can be used to measure both active and reactive power. In addition, this device has a much wider functionality, since its display shows not only power, but also current, voltage and energy consumption over time. Another advantage is that all values can be displayed remotely, that is, on the operator's computer.
The essence of the operation of analog devices
If we talk about analog type devices for measuring power, then the most accurate and commonly used devices are the electrodynamic system.
The principle of operation of this power meter is based on the operation of two coils. One of them is characterized by the fact that it does not move, its resistance is small, as is the number of turns. But the winding, on the contrary, is quite thick. The second instance is the opposite of the first. That is, the coil is moving, the thickness of the winding is low, but the numberthe turns are quite large, which is why the resistance is also increased. This device is connected in parallel with the load. In order to avoid the occurrence of a short circuit between the internal coils of the device, the device is supplied with an additional resistance.
The essence of how digital devices work
The principle of operation of these power meters is more complicated than that of the previous type. The reason for this is that power is not measured directly. The basis of the operation of the device lies in the fact that first, preliminary measurements of the current and voltage are made. In order to conduct them, you need to connect a current sensor in series with the load, and a voltage sensor in parallel. These units can be made on the basis of thermistors or instrument transformers.
Instantaneous values obtained by means of an analog-to-digital converter are transmitted to the microprocessor in the meter. At this point, the necessary calculations are made, thanks to which you can get the value of active and reactive power. The final results of all measurements are displayed on the display of this device, as well as on the display of those devices that are connected to it. Optical power is not measured by these types of instruments.
Home appliances
Today, a wattmeter has become a fairly common and convenient device in everyday life, with which you can measure the consumption of electrical energy in a house. This model is a portable version of the device, which measures the power in a separate area. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to calculate the material costs that will be spent on electricity if the network is left to operate with the same parameters.
This device is quite handy if you need to plan the cost of funds, and also help to optimize some parts of the home chain.
Household wattmeters
This unit belongs to the digital group of devices. In its appearance, it strongly resembles an adapter or an adapter that has an indicator-type display. In addition, there are several buttons on the case that control the operation of the device. The main purpose of this device is to record and display the results of power consumption by any household appliance that connects to the network through it. There are quite a few such parameters, and this is not only power consumption. If you enter a specific tariff, the device can even show the amount of material resources that will be paid for the operation of this particular device. It can also detect the power of radiation.
Instrument functions
In addition to the usual indicators, this device is also able to record such values as peak power and peak current. In addition, there are several other functions. The device also shows the current time, can work as a conventional real time clock. Another possibility of using the device is an audible alarm that will work if the device starts to consume morethe amount of power than the user manually sets.
The buttons on the device can be used to manually set the device's operating functions. It is possible to set the maximum allowable radiation power, set the cost per kilowatt per hour, etc.
In terms of operation, this device is very simple. For it to work, you need to connect it to the network, that is, plug it into an outlet. Next, you need to connect the plug of the device under study to this household wattmeter. The display of all parameters of the connected device will start automatically.
From the main parameters of this device, it can be distinguished that almost any household appliance can be connected to it. The total maximum power of the devices should not exceed 3600 watts. Also, do not exceed the current strength of 16 A.
