AC power measurements

[Grugh_Mike]

In our factory setup; the power utilized at a particular point of time is constant ( when all the machines are running). 

If any machine is down/ repair or if any fuse burns out, the power utilized will decrease.

This can aid us in generating an alarm or a notification so as to inform the assigned personnel to check the AC unit.

This power consumed can be measured using an instrument right?

Kindly advice me a PCI/ USB card which can measure upto 400V AC Voltage and desired current.

Kindly advice if there is any other option to achieve the desired target.

Thank you in advance.

[DavidBoyd]

Not PCI, but serial/USB and also Ethernet, we use the WattsUp Pro and NET devices. They report all kinds of useful info, include a remotely controllable load relay, and can be used at a wide range of line voltage.

More recently I've written LV code to talk to an AccuEnergy Acuvim-L, another versatile AC line/load monitor. This one can also do polyphase measurements, and with the proper external transformers, can be used with much higher voltages and currents. It's a panel meter with a sophisticated MODBUS serial interface.

Good luck,
Dave

[johnsold]

No PCI or USB DAQ device will be able to do that directly. Choose good transducers which will safely transform the voltage, current, and power levels to lower levels compatible with standard DAQ devices, then any device with sufficient channels, resolution, accuracy, and speed for your measurement needs will work.

Lynn

[SnowMule]

Some reason you can't just use a hall-effect current sensor to measure the current through one of the power leads?  Sounds like an easier/safer solution than tapping directly into the power leads.