Summit Technology / PowerSight FAO - Frequency Analysis Option detecting

PS4550 - Power Quality Analyzer

The PowerSight High Frequency Analysis Option (FAO) allows you to analyze the presence of high-frequency power line noise content from 3,000 Hz to 100,000 Hz.

The FAO option extends the capability of the PS4500 PowerSight power quality analyzer meter into a hand-held spectrum analyzer.

The PowerSight High Frequency Analysis Option (FAO) is a combination of hardware, firmware, and software that allows your PS4500 to measure high frequency power-line noise. Normal harmonics analysis ends at 3,000 Hz (50th harmonic of 60 Hz fundamental). The FAO allows viewing the frequency content all the way up to 100,000 Hz, essentially turning your PS4500 into a spectrum analyzer. The FAO filters out the lower harmonic frequencies to allow measuring less than a volt of high frequency riding on a 1000 Vrms waveform. It can also do current high frequency analysis when used with one of our HA1000 current probes.

The FAO is a unique and essential product for:
Determining if high frequencies are present on your power, to consider mitigation for equipment sensitive to high frequencies
Verifying the operation of power line filters by showing before/after graphs of the power line noise
Determining whether the source of high frequency noise is from your power input or from your load

Customers have used the FAO in applications where high-frequency noise could affect sensitive electronics, or affect precise measurements, or interfere with specialized manufacturing processes, or disrupt communication signals. This includes sensitive bio-medical measurement equipment, military communication applications, and industrial control in manufacturing plants with high populations of adjustable speed drives.

Utility power is generally not the source of high-frequency noise. This is because high frequency tends to dissipate over distance. Therefore the long line lengths of power distribution cables attenuates high frequencies unless they are generated close to your entry.

To analyze the high-frequency content of voltage, connect two voltage leads into the Voltage Conditioning Box (included in FAO). To analyze high frequency content of current, plug an HA1000 current probe into a special adapter cable (included in FAO) that then plugs into your PowerSight PS4500 meter. Note: an HA1000 current probe is not included in the FAO option, it must be purchased separately.

NOTE: the Voltage Conditioning box CANNOT BE CONNECTED to the voltage output of a VSD with PWM output.