Power metering and power monitoring equipment and software

Power quality measurement methods (IEC61000-4-30) FAQ

Power Quality measurement methods (IEC61000-4-30) FAQ

Power quality issues are some of the most costly and difficult to identify; these can stem from within your facility, or they can be caused by the utility. The first step in identifying and correcting power quality issues is to have a power quality meter deliver relevant data, but how can you be sure that data is accurate? Ensuring that your power quality meter adheres to established rigorous standards will prevent you from wasting time, and money. It’s one thing to capture the data accurately, it’s another to interpret it correctly, Eaton’s Power Xpert meters do both.

What is IEC 61000-4-30?
Why is IEC 61000-4-30 a game changer for selecting a power quality meter?
How does IEC 61000-4-30 differ from older standards? Why don’t existing meter standards cover these topics?
I’m in North America, does an IEC standard matter to me? Why should I care about IEC 61000-4-30?
What’s the deal with Class A and Class S?
CLASS A VERSUS CLASS S
What is the difference between power and power quality?
What measurements does IEC 61000-4-30 standardize?
Does IEC 61000-4-30 apply to voltage transients?
Where can I learn more about power quality metering?

What is IEC 61000-4-30?

This is a standard that defines the measurement and evaluation methods to provide an acceptable degree of accuracy for power quality measurements in electrical systems. This ensures repeatable, reliable, and comparable findings that can be used for troubleshooting, and revenue related purposes.

Why is IEC 61000-4-30 a game changer for selecting a power quality meter?

Prior to IEC 61000-4-30, each meter manufacturer used varied techniques for power quality monitoring, resulting in inconsistent results. Using IEC 61000-4-30 as a benchmark makes it easier to select a capable meter because compliance ensures reliable, repeatable results,

How does IEC 61000-4-30 differ from older standards? Why don’t existing meter standards cover these topics?

Existing standards were developed for traditional electrical measurements. The variability in parameters, measurement tools, and techniques related to power quality monitoring, requires further definition and specification.

I’m in North America, does an IEC standard matter to me? Why should I care about IEC 61000-4-30?

Yes! Regardless of geographic location, it is vital to have repeatable, reliable, and accurate power quality measurements. This standard is applied and accepted globally.

What’s the deal with Class A and Class S?

These stand for advances and survey.

Class S meters deliver accurate and repeatable measurements for the majority of power quality related issues. Eaton’s Power Xpert energy meter is a capable yet cost-effective Class S power quality meter with industry leading accuracy, suitable for most applications.

Class A has higher accuracy requirements for measurements, and mandates 3 additional measurement categories. Eaton’s PXQ event analysis system is a Class A power quality instrument that moves you from measurement to insights to help you avoid downtime in your most critical applications.

_{CLASS A VERSUS CLASS S}


Measurement per IEC 61000-4-30	Class A “Advanced”	Class S “Survey”
Magnitude of the supply voltage	✓	✓
Power frequency	✓	✓
Rapid voltage changes	✓	✓
Voltage unbalance	✓	✓
Voltage dips/swells/interruptions	✓	✓
Harmonics/interharmonics, THD	✓
Flicker	✓
Mains signaling on the supply voltage	✓
Transients	optional	optional

What is the difference between power and power quality?

Power meters typically measure current, voltage, power factor, and time, at varying levels of accuracy and sampling rate. Power quality includes additional parameters such as unbalance, distortion, rapid changes, and sags/swells/interruptions.

These can be damaging to equipment, personnel, and finished goods, even if they don’t affect overall power consumption. In other words, power quality includes disturbances that may not shut the lights off. These can, however, be more expensive than an outage.

What measurements does IEC 61000-4-30 standardize?

Power frequency
Magnitude of supply voltage
Voltage unbalance
Voltage dips/swells/interruptions
Rapid voltage change
Harmonics/THD
Flicker
Mains signaling supply voltage.

Does IEC 61000-4-30 apply to voltage transients?

These are optional for both Class A and Class S. Eaton’s PXQ event analysis system is a Class A power quality meter that can capture and help diagnose transients.

Where can I learn more about power quality metering?

Eaton.com/meters

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