Can I set capacitive load in DEMO VOLTS mode?

[Ezequiel-PROLUX]

Hi, We have some equipment to test with ION meter 8650C and I don't have a 3-phase power supply to do some demonstrations, so I tought we could use DEMO mode but I just can't change the polarities to have a capacitive load, I only achieved to 21 degrees LAG instead of 92 degrees LAG of the standard DEMO mode by inverting two phases.

So, any clues??

BR,

Ezequiel Maraschin

[Tom_Stevenson]

Hi Ezequiel - I don't believe this works in DEMO mode.  Sanjeet Sahota​

[Sanjeet_Sahota · Accepted solution]

Hi Tom,

You are correct.  Unfortunately you cannot do that with the DEMO Mode. You will need a source supply of some sort.

Best Regards,

Sanjeet

[Ezequiel-PROLUX]

Hi guys, thanks for sharing the knowledge.

When we need it again, I'm going to measure the load of some fluorescent bulbs that provide capacitive power. They are cheaper then a 3-phase power source.

Best regards,

Ezequiel

[enrgyautomation]

Hi Ezequiel,

Just being a bit pedantic here, but fluorescent loads can introduce a capacitive OR an inductive load. It all depends on the type of lamp and it's corresponding switchgear. Modern CFLs tend to be capacitive and the older style fluorescent with switch start ballasts are inductive. Also, reversing polarity on a three phase or polyphase systems (DEMO or not) will not change whether a load is capacitive or inductive.

Best bet is source a single phase to three phase converter. They can be a bit bulky but ideal if you need very lower three phase power needs.

[Ezequiel-PROLUX]

Hi Brahm!

Sure, I was talking about the bulbs that have a capacitive energy consumption. No intended to say that all bulbs are capacitive.

And about inverting only one or two phases, you can try it for yourself, the power factor changes, but in fact not the overall type of load.

Thank you for complementing the discussion.

[greg_expoenergy]

Hi Ezequiel,

You do not need need much to demo this. Just get some small capacitors.

Then just use standard CT and make multiple loops through each CT core and it will simulate a large capacitive load.

If you do not have a three phase supply then just connect single phase where you connect all 3 voltage inputs to single phase and do same for CT and caps but pass CT wires through all meter CT connections. It will simulate 3 times the capacitive load and the additional loops will do same. ie 3*#CTloops.

Only problem is line to line voltage are zero and all L-N voltages will be the same but fro the meter Pt=P1+P2+P3 = 3P1 and same for VARS. On meter you will see P=0 and Q=VARS.

I have done this and works fine and PF etc is not affected.