Power Xpert meters monitor quality and consumption of power

Eaton will begin selling three top models from its Power Xpert® meter product line in May - Power Xpert meters 4000, 6000 and 8000.

The meters contain accurate measurement electronics and a small Linux computer. Because of the built-in software application, the meters can be directly plugged in to the network and the measured values and curves can be followed through a web browser. The captured data gives the customer the opportunity to monitor and manage the power quality and consumption.

”The meter is also able to analyse electricity; it learns from the power and is able to create a short summary of the quality. The meter stores all the data used for creating the summary. This means that an electrician or an analyst has all this data at hand if they encounter a problem. The idea is to outsource power monitoring to the meter,” tells Tatu Valjakka, Product Manager, Powerware Products & Services.

The web-based user interface, built-in Linux-computer and openness mean easy integration to other systems, which works as a competitive advantage for Power Xpert products compared to other, similar products available on the market.

The Power Xpert meter product line that won Frost & Sullivan’s 2007 Emerging Technology of the Year Award is designed for large customers’ manufacturing sites and for data centres that require large amounts of business-critical power. One example is Samsung, which has ordered 100 meters for use in its semiconductor factory in Texas.

Valjakka believes that power quality monitoring is a growing business sector. “The reason why meters and power quality monitoring is needed is largely explained by the high cost of energy and by the simple fact that there is less electricity available. The load of electrical networks is reaching its limit, and companies have to follow and monitor where their power is consumed and what kind of quality it is. In order to manage power consumption, it has to be measured. The meters are an important part of controlling the whole power supply chain of the customer,” Valjakka continues.

Power Xpert meters have become popular in the US during the past 18 months.

The meters will be available in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) from May.