AC voltage logging with PicoLog 1012

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Martin Chisnall
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Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 9:53 pm

AC voltage logging with PicoLog 1012

Post by Martin Chisnall »

I have an application where I need to log multiple 50Hz AC voltages from AC current clamps. (More inputs than the CM3 can handle)
I have the following questions regarding PicoLog software in connection with a Picolog 1012.
If I select a very short sampling interval will I just log the instantaneous voltage of the AC waveform at that moment?
If I set a long sampling interval. (many cycles of 50hz) will I just log zero volts, being the average voltage over that time?
If I introduce a physical full wave rectifier on the input will I log the RMS value over a period of time?
If I select the measurement type to be AC volts in the PicoLog software will it log AC RMS voltage without the need for an external rectifier?
If I can log AC RMS voltage directly in PicoLog, what does the CM3 offer me over a 1012, other than more resolution?
Thank you.

Gerry
PICO STAFF
PICO STAFF
Posts: 1145
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2014 11:14 am

Re: AC voltage logging with PicoLog 1012

Post by Gerry »

Hi Martin,

The PicoLog 1012 only logs instantaneous voltage. It doesn't log RMS voltage or provide any averaging in the hardware. The CM3 performs an RMS calculation before passing the data to the PC. So, it only logs RMS values. However, the calculation takes a finite amount of time for each value which means that the response time of the data logger to changing values is quite slow in comparison to other data loggers and very slow in comparison to the PicoLog 1000 series data loggers.

So, as mentioned on the product page on our website, the CM3 is intended for measuring slowly changing current, e.g. the current consumption of buildings and machinery, 3-phase load balancing, and long term energy usage. The PicoLog 1000 series are fast general purpose data loggers (up to 1MHz on one channel), offering a high number of channels (including digital outputs) at low cost.

If you still want to use the PicoLog 1012 and get RMS data you could always export to a CSV file, then import that into Excel and perform the calculation in there.

Regards,

Gerry
Gerry
Technical Specialist

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