A power monitoring device is a powerful tool that can not only help reduce wear and damage on your assets, but also help identify the root cause of problems. The Fluke 3540 FC Three-Phase Power Monitor can detect when an asset or motor has an unbalanced phase, then alert technicians that a change in the condition occurred.
Imagine a machine that stamps plastic parts. It has three different phases coming into the asset, and occasionally, one of those phases becomes unbalanced. An unbalanced phase affects the proper functioning of the asset because the motor or pump increases its power consumption and does not work as designed.
This particular machine tries to get by with one third of its typical power. Because of the low power, the machine works overtime and can’t operate in its optimal range. While the machine typically produces a circular widget, the widgets then come out oval-shaped. A maintenance technician on the floor concludes that it is producing defective parts. The worker shuts down the machine to attempt to fix it, but without knowing the exact cause of the problem, that will take time.
The cause of the potential power unbalance from the motor resulted in the defective manufactured parts. Without collecting continuous data, the technician may not be able to identify the issue and could waste time trying to determine the root cause. After troubleshooting through trial and error, workers may attempt to resolve the issue. But with the root cause left unresolved, more significant damage could happen down the road.
With a Power Monitoring Device, Data Infuses the Workflow
Collecting data from power monitoring enables teams to observe equipment performance remotely, and the corresponding alarms alert teams when changes in power conditions occur. Organizations can monitor power variables to detect underlying electrical or mechanical issues.
A power monitoring device can provide maintenance managers, reliability engineers, and electrical contractors with real-time, 24/7 trending data visualization. Sharing data across a team brings the full knowledge to the group allowing them to keep the equipment running smoothly.
The Fluke 3540 FC is a compact device used to monitor critical electrical parameters for three-phase machinery and to stream the data seamlessly to the Fluke Connect Cloud.
By logging onto the Fluke Connect Cloud with their mobile device or computer, maintenance and reliability team members have access to troubleshooting data to help solve problems. The data trend lines help identify the performance issues, and graphs can clearly show significant drops in one of the loads.
When a problem arises, a maintenance tech can be dispatched with the right tools and parts to correct the problem. After the tech resolves the issue, the manager can export the data from the cloud and prepare a report.
Electrical Contractors Stay Ahead of Problems
Electrical contractors hired to watch critical assets benefit from power monitoring as well.
For instance, if an HVAC system breaks down, the customer needs the electrical contractor to fix the issue as soon as possible. This could mean diverting attention from one customer to another, disrupting schedules, and inconveniencing other customers. The remote data and remote alarms viewable through power monitoring software make it possible for electrical contractors to know about problems ahead of time.
The 3540 FC allows users to set thresholds and monitor assets. These defined thresholds alert users of any issues before customers encounter any problems.
Moreover, without power monitoring, electrical contractors might ask their workers to check assets at a facility weekly as a standard route-based maintenance practice. But the remote data from power monitoring eliminates these unnecessary visits, which results in substantial time and cost savings.
Ultimately, power monitoring can help prevent unplanned downtime, solve problems faster, and enable data to be stored and shared in a central database. That means maintenance managers, reliability engineers, and electrical contractors can increase their effectiveness and efficiency and avoid additional costs.
