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PA3000 Four-channel, Multi-phase AC/DC Power Analyzer
Inrush Current Testing
DEMONSTRATION GUIDE
METHOD 1: INRUSH CURRENT MEASUREMENTS (PA3000 DIRECT)
The following steps describe the process for setting up the PA3000 for the inrush
current measurements.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED — METHOD 2
•
PA3000 Power Analyzer
•
BB 1000 Break Out Box
•
Home or Office Appliance (DUT)
•
AC Source (Optional)
•
4mm Safety Leads
1. Set the PA3000 to the default configuration:
– Press
.
– Scroll down to
User Configuration and press
.
– Select Load
Default Configuration, and then press
to confirm.
The PA3000 will load the defaults and display a confirmation screen. Press
and then
return to the Main Menu by pressing
NOTE: The PA3000 needs to be configured to continuously sample and return
non-averaged results. It also needs to be configured to store peak values.
2. Ranging must be fixed on both the voltage and current channels to enable continuous
sampling. To select a manual range, go to the Main Menu (press)
, go to
Inputs
Ranging
Current/Voltage range, and then select an appropriate range.
If the expected inrush current is not known, select the highest range and then dial down,
as required, after repeating the test as needed for more accurate results
3. The PA3000 automatically blanks all the results that are lower than ten percent of the range.
Blanking is continuously active and can interfere with recording the inrush event.
To disable the blanking, go to the Main Menu, go to
System Configuration
Blanking
Off.
4. Set the averaging to one so that the results are not averaged over time.
Go to the Main Menu, go to
System Configuration
Averaging
Channel Averaging.
Set the value in the window to 1.
5. Turn off the Autozero function under the System Configuration menu.
6. To enable Peak Hold, the Maximum and Minimum Hold columns need to be enabled.
Go to the Main Menu and go to
Measurement Configuration
Maximum Hold
Enabled.
Repeat the step for the Minimum Hold.
When enabled, the Maximum and Minimum hold columns will record both positive and
negative cycle peaks.
7. Enable the Peak current measurement parameters in the Measurements menu.
Select both the Apk+ and Apk- because the peak can be either positive or negative.
8. After setting up the PA3000, connect the DUT to the breakout box.
9. The inrush current will be displayed in the Max and Min columns on the Results screen.
The PA3000 will hold the maximum sample value for the positive and the negative cycles.
