How to convert (A) current to Power (KW, KVA, etc) - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

adindas · 04-10-2008, 08:26 AM

Dear All

I have been given the following data taken from ampere meter:
Line 1 (Red)
Maximum current: 384.3 A
Minimum current: 65.6
Average: 132 A

Line 2 (Yellow)
Maximum current: 372.9 A
Minimum current: 49.2
Average: 122.5

Line 3 (Blue)
Maximum current: 277.3 A
Minimum current: 75.5
Average: 135.7A

How could I know the maximum demand power requirement based on the above data. Assuming voltage (V) is 230/415 Volt?

Thank you
Adindas

Speedy Petey · 04-10-2008, 08:44 AM

Amp meter readings WILL NOT be able to tell you the demand load. A load calculation will.

Where are you located?

Alwaysconfusd11 · 04-10-2008, 09:24 AM

My first thought is so hire an electrician.
and my second thought was Im hungry.

Stickman · 04-10-2008, 09:28 AM

I'll second that, so hungry and call a electrician before you get yourself killed or hurt.

newenergy · 04-10-2008, 12:05 PM

Out of my element here and I don't do anything with 3 phase and definitely wouldn't put my hands near any of that without knowing what I was doing (it's a lot of power) but.....

Is it a problem that the current isn't balanced?

If the current is balanced, the power is KVA = I * V * 1.73 ?

If you have historical data, wouldn't current/power measurements give you a better idea of the maximum demand? Perhaps whether you prefer historical info or a load calculation would depend on what you needed that info for?

Is this system in the UK?

Magnettica · 04-10-2008, 03:38 PM

I'm not familiar with red/ yellow/ blue as it pertains to 3-phase.

Nor am I familiar with 230/ 415 volt.

What, did they lose a few windings on that secondary coil?

Mark Twenhafel · 04-17-2008, 04:02 PM

Looks like someone's trying to get help with his homework! Guess I'll take practical advantage:

Would this be the typical type of info gained from a Fluke 60 or Fluke 80 meter? Is it really reliable? The specs at Fluke say their 80 series catches transients down to 250 us (microseconds), or 1/4 millisecond. Would a reasonable troubleshooting/data-gathering procedure would be to leave the meter hooked up for some period of time and then see what sorts of minimums and maximums were recorded?

Does this seem like a reasonably balanced or an unbalanced line? And, how could you even know that the min's and max's came at the same time? Or doesn't that matter?

Sorry for all the newbie questions--got laid off yesterday, so I have a little time for the internets. One more: I've been trying to decide between getting a Fluke 114 or a 117 as my first meter. Price is a factor, but I want something that will work for what I need. Don't see myself doing industrial service work for a while. :-) Just need something for resi and commercial troubleshooting, etc. Any comments?

Thanks,
Mark

Magnettica · 04-17-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Twenhafel

Looks like someone's trying to get help with his homework! Guess I'll take practical advantage:

Would this be the typical type of info gained from a Fluke 60 or Fluke 80 meter? Is it really reliable? The specs at Fluke say their 80 series catches transients down to 250 us (microseconds), or 1/4 millisecond. Would a reasonable troubleshooting/data-gathering procedure would be to leave the meter hooked up for some period of time and then see what sorts of minimums and maximums were recorded?

Does this seem like a reasonably balanced or an unbalanced line? And, how could you even know that the min's and max's came at the same time? Or doesn't that matter?

Sorry for all the newbie questions--got laid off yesterday, so I have a little time for the internets. One more: I've been trying to decide between getting a Fluke 114 or a 117 as my first meter. Price is a factor, but I want something that will work for what I need. Don't see myself doing industrial service work for a while. :-) Just need something for resi and commercial troubleshooting, etc. Any comments?

Thanks,
Mark

Fluke 322

It measures AC and DC voltage, ohm's of resistance, amprobe for measuring up to 400 amps of current and automatically turns off after 10 minutes if it's not being used. Costs anywhere from $100 - $130. Ideal makes a similiar model that I use everyday because the company supplies me with one. They can be found at Home Depot for like $89.00.

Good luck finding a new job. Hang in there. Things are a little slow in most parts of the country, but they don't stay that way forever. That's one of the positive things about our trade.