Laureate™ Phase Angle Meter
For Angular Phase Offset of AC Power in Degrees

Features

• Measures phase angle between two waveshapes of similar period
• Resolution of 1º, 0.1º or 0.01º.
• .01% accuracy at AC line frequency
• Inputs from NPN or PNP proximity switches, contact closures, digital logic, magnetic pickups down to 12 mV, or AC inputs up to 250 Vac.
• Trigger on positive or negative pulse edges.
• Frequency from .005 Hz to 10 kHz.
• 6-digit red or green LED display.
• Isolated 5, 10 or 24 Vdc excitation output to power sensors.
• Uses Standard counter main board and FR signal conditioner.
• NEMA 4X, 1/8 DIN case
• Dual relay option
• Analog output option
• Serial communication options
• Low voltage AC & DC power
• Certified to UL 61010C-1 (UL mark), EN 61010-1 (CE mark), and RoHS.

Description

Phase angle indicates the lead or lag in degrees from 0º to 360º between two periodic signals having the same period. In the illustration to the right, phase angle is 360*P1/P. The signals are applied to the A and B input channels.

Phase angle measurement is commonly used with AC power from 50 Hz to 400 Hz. Phase angle needs to be set to zero to synchronize AC generators. It also applies to the triggering of SCRs and Triacs for power control. The phase angle between AC current and voltage determines power factor. The Laureate phase angle meter provides exceptionally fast response and high accuracy for low frequencies, such as AC line frequency.

Phase angle measurement with the Laureate™ Phase Meter requires that two signals with identical periods be applied to Channels A and B. A display from -180º to +180º is obtained by timing the rising edge of one channel and the falling edge of the other channel, and programming a 180º offset. A resolution of 1º, 0.1º or 0.01º is selectable. Accuracy is 0.01% up to 100 Hz, 0.1% at 1 kHz, and 1% at 10 kHz. For best accuracy, both signals should have the same amplitude. The amplitude of sinusoidal signals should be larger that 1V, and the trigger level should be set at near the zero crossing if each waveshape at 12 mV.

Phase angle is determined by timing crystal clock pulses over a specified gate time which is selectable from 10 ms to 199.99 s. By selecting the minimum gate time of 10 ms, the update rate can be up to 20/s for 50/60 Hz AC line frequency. Improved accuracy is obtained by making the gate time long enough so that multiple cycles can be averaged.

Universal Signal Conditioner

The Laureate Phase Angle Meter uses the FR dual-channel signal conditioner board and Extended counter main board. This board accepts AC signals from 12 mV to 250 Vac as well as inputs from proximity switches with PNP or NPN output, TTL or CMOS logic, magnetic pickups, or contact closures. Jumper selections provide optimum operation for different sensor types and noise conditions.

A built-in isolated 5, 10, or 24 Vdc excitation supply can power active pickups and eliminate the need for an external power supply.

Other Features & Options

Plug-in isolated analog output, dual setpoint controller, and RS232/485 serial data I/O boards can upgrade the Laureate from a stand-alone monitor to system interface and control. The 1/8 DIN case of Laureate meters and counters meets NEMA 4X (IP-65) standards from the front for high pressure wash-down when panel mounted.

Phase angle difference between two waves of same period
1°, 0.1°, 0.01°
.005 Hz to 10 kHz
.01°, .005 Hz to 100 Hz, .1° at 1 kHz, 1° at 10 kHz
200 s

AC, pulses from NPN, PNP transistors, contact closures, magnetic pickups
Common ground for channels A & B
Nine ranges from (-12 to +12 mV) to (+1.25 to +2.1V).
250 Vac
1 MHz, 30 kHz, 250 Hz (selectable)
0, 3, 50 ms (selectable)

Gate time + 30 ms + 0-2 signal periods
Selectable 10 ms to 199.99 s
Selectable 10 ms to 199.99 s

Using Laureate Meters and Counters to Synchronize Motor Generators

Synchronization of two motor generators requires that the two frequencies be identical, that the lines be in phase, and that the line voltages be close to each other. In this illustration, a single Laureate dual channel counter measures both frequencies to six-figure accuracy in a few line cycles. Another Laureate dual channel counter measures phase angle to 0.1º resolution. Two Laureate AC RMS Voltmeters, which offer ranges of 200.00 V and 600.0 V, are used to display the two RMS voltage to 0.1% accuracy.