Most people are confused and don’t really know what to do when it comes to fixing a problem with electricity in their home, and rightly so – you need to have a good understanding of what you are doing before you mess with your home’s electrical installation. I’m always amazed by the fact how, sometimes, people can be easily impressed even by the simplest tests or fixes. Try unplugging and plugging back in the WiFi adapter in your grandparent’s house when the connection is lost – and they will look at you like you just discovered fire. At the risk of sounding too self-important, that is precisely why my favourite job has become analyzing electrical parameters. My ideal tool for the job, the aemc pel 103, has made me look like Thor more times than I’d like to admit, and that’s why I love working with it.
Applications
There are many ways that you can put this tool to good use. But the most common thing that I typically do with it is measuring the efficiency of a system. It is a very useful gadget for determining whether the performance of a system can be improved in order for it to be more efficient. Another common task that I and my beloved partner, the aemc pel 103, often undertake is assigning energy costs. This is usually required when different departments share the same electrical system or if the cost needs to be divided for different operations within the same department. The same task is performed when a sub-billing tracking needs to be performed to determine the cost for different occupants by their landlord. Other, not so common, tasks that can be performed with this device is tracking peak demand periods, preventing any unnecessary electrical expansion costs, checking for energy availability as well as determining how reliable the supply is.
Features
The AEMC PEL103 has a beautiful black hard case with bumps on the side to prevent it from slipping from your hand. It has only four mechanical buttons on its front side and a super easy to use interface. It allows you to use USB, direct connection to the internet via an ethernet cable or use Bluetooth. It has all the standard features that you would expect from a power quality analyzer – it can measure RMS voltages and currents at 128 times per cycle, and it can measure VA, W, and VAR power values. I love how easy it is to calculate the cos f Displacement Power Factor (DPF), as well as the Power Factor (PF). The improved interface on the new model has also helped my job’s performance. I’ve noticed a difference in speed from other models as well, it seems that the delay from action to response is much smaller on the PEL, this might not be a significant amount may be a split second but it is something I’ve noticed.
One of the main reasons why I love working with this device so much is its simple interface design. Don’t get me wrong, I do like having various options and learning new things to do and analyze, but sometimes, having too many features and options on a gadget can be confusing. Another major advantage that I’ve noticed, when compared to other power quality analyzers I’ve previously used, is the sleek design and the light weight of the PEL-103. This makes it much easier to carry it with me whenever I need to perform a certain task as it does not weigh me down. And not to talk about how durable and rugged its construction is. Being the clumsy person that I am, I’ve accidentally dropped it a couple of times and it is still intact. It has a slight texture to it that will give you additional support if you are afraid of dropping it, or you can simply use a wrist band to make sure even if you drop it that it won’t go too far.
Bottom line is, there are various devices on the market that can perform similar tasks as the AEMC, however, in my professional opinion, the PEL 103 is definitely unbeatable when it comes to design and performance. Most models of power quality analyzers are expensive and have similar prices, but you need to do your homework before investing in one, as you don’t want to have to replace it a year after you’ve bought it. To get the best deal for your money, my recommendation is to shop around online so that you can compare different models in order to make the most out of your purchase. That way, you can also read online customer reviews about the product and get a better idea of the reputation of the seller, the quality of their products and you can have your purchase delivered straight to your doorstep.
