Redfish idvm 550

[rjk_cmh]

What is THD?

Total Harmonic Distortion, a measurement of noise on the line.

[acguytx]

Jim, am I reading this right, the iDVM 550 doesn't do DC amps, and doesn't do DC microamps?

so maybe im tired and not fully awake but what do those measure on hvac systems? Variable speed Motors and the like? i rarely use dc maybe working on my vehicle testing 12v stuff etc..enlighten me on what id be missing on not having these functions in the HVAC field?

[jim bergmann]

so maybe im tired and not fully awake but what do those measure on hvac systems? Variable speed Motors and the like? i rarely use dc maybe working on my vehicle testing 12v stuff etc..enlighten me on what id be missing on not having these functions in the HVAC field?

Power is used for EER and approximate SEER. You need a true power meter to do this as Volts x amps x Power Factor actually equal Watts in an A/C circuit.

THD is used to identify noise and intern circuits that are overheating, becoming much more common with digital switching. (electronic loads) This typically results in overheating the neutral

We measure and correct power factor, low being the cause of excessive current draw and high utility bills. Many times you will see a shift in power factor as a result of a failing capacitor.

Inrush, current and its duration are used to identify the need for moving a load to another circuit or the addition of a hard start to a compressor.

Additionally, the meter has a very high-resolution clamp for high accuracy measurements of low current loads.

Last, we are making a full diagnostic app behind it to assist with identification of these problems.

[lytning]

So is the 550 an amp clamp?

[jim bergmann]

So is the 550 an amp clamp?

Yes

[itsiceman]

Cool
No wonder it took a little longer.

[lytning]

Great
TE=jim bergmann;25502914]Yes[/QUOTE]

[Glenn Harrison]

Those are features in the iDVM510. We added another meter to cover the next set of measurements. The problem with a single meter for everything is it does not do somethings well, or it gets so clunky that it is hard to use. The only way to get the range and the resolution and measurement quality that we needed, in this case, was to do two meters. To be honest, I do not think I have ever carried a single meter in my career.

The big feature to the 550 is power measurement, PF, THD, and volts and amps at the same time. We needed multiple ranges of power for a high and low range. While some of you may not be measuring power now, I am sure you will see it coming. We already see it in California where we measure fan watt draw. It is also needed for EER.

Well I see your point of view. This is unfortunately the battle I have had with Fluke, but coming from you if a couple of features have to be sacrificed in the name of quality and accuracy, so be it, and I believe that coming from you Jim.
I'm just not getting any younger, and I really am trying to keep my bag as light as possible.

This poses another question, is there a DC amp clamp coming in the future, either in the form of a clamp meter or plug in clamp accessory? Obviously as time goes on there are and continue to be more things that need DC amp measurements.

[mgenius33]

I get inrush current and true power, definitely useful, but do 90% of HVAC techs need THD in ordered harmonics? Or, was that just a side result of gaining the power measurement? Do we really need 1000A reading? I've never seen anything any where near 600A.

[acguytx]

updates on the 550 for sale release?

[jim bergmann]

updates on the 550 for sale release?

We finally have some hard dates, and we are in production now. I am guessing that the products will go into retail right at the first of the year. The good news is it will be woth the wait.

[Boiler Guy]

I know there are always trade offs but damn I really wish there was a good clamp meter that also did millivolts and microamps dc. Would be nice to only carry one meter in the bag.

[jim bergmann]

I know there are always trade offs but damn I really wish there was a good clamp meter that also did millivolts and microamps dc. Would be nice to only carry one meter in the bag.

We did look at that. In the end, a meter that does everything does not do everything well. A meter is a function of the components that it is made of. When you start trying to measure a very wide range the meter either gets ridiculously expensive or simply says it can do something that it cannot. I have seen a lot of good meters on paper that does not perform well in the field. With the wide range of measurements that we needed a two-meter solution simply made more sense.

[lytning]

And dollars.

We did look at that. In the end, a meter that does everything does not do everything well. A meter is a function of the components that it is made of. When you start trying to measure a very wide range the meter either gets ridiculously expensive or simply says it can do something that it cannot. I have seen a lot of good meters on paper that does not perform well in the field. With the wide range of measurements that we needed a two-meter solution simply made more sense.

[pacnw]

I saw an advertisement for this and cannot find it again.

Is it available now?

[jim bergmann]

I saw an advertisement for this and cannot find it again.

Is it available now?

Mid-February.

[davejohnsonnola]

Tru-Tech first available?

[jim bergmann]

Tru-Tech first available?

I am guessing that they will get an order in early. Supco is the distributor, so they will go to them first.

[GoCougs]

Where are the meters manufactured?

[lytning]

Where are the meters manufactured?

just guessing. In Jim's basement?