GE EPM 6000 Multi-function Power Metering System instruction manual Waveform Capture

CHAPTER 2: ELECTRICAL BACKGROUND

accuracy; at frequencies above about 1200 Hz they pass almost no information. So when instrument transformers are used, they effectively filter out higher frequency harmonic distortion making it impossible to see.

However, when monitors can be connected directly to the measured circuit (such as direct connection to 480 V bus) the user may often see higher order harmonic distortion. An important rule in any harmonics study is to evaluate the type of equipment and connections before drawing a conclusion. Not being able to see harmonic distortion is not the same as not having harmonic distortion.

2.5.4Waveform Capture

It is common in advanced meters to perform a function commonly referred to as waveform capture. Waveform capture is the ability of a meter to capture a present picture of the voltage or current waveform for viewing and harmonic analysis. Typically a waveform capture will be one or two cycles in duration and can be viewed as the actual waveform, as a spectral view of the harmonic content, or a tabular view showing the magnitude and phase shift of each harmonic value. Data collected with waveform capture is typically not saved to memory. Waveform capture is a real-time data collection event.

Waveform capture should not be confused with waveform recording that is used to record multiple cycles of all voltage and current waveforms in response to a transient condition.

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