Poll

how to measure power?

power measure analysis tool
1 (50%)
power analysis software
1 (50%)

Total Members Voted: 2

Author Topic: power analysis  (Read 4907 times)

iefarnaz

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power analysis
« on: August 01, 2014, 11:14:19 AM »
My major is Industrial Engineering and I do not have deep knowledge in electronics. I want to measure power consumption of a plastic injection molding machine and I do not know what factors do I need to consider to buy a power analysis equipment. Do you have any tutorial about power analysis?
I could not find the relevant videos on your youtube channel.
Thank you so very much for your help.

MJLorton

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Re: power analysis
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2014, 10:59:15 AM »
Although I replied to your email let me post here as well.

Power consumption  measurement is a topic I really enjoy. I hope to do some specific  videos on it in the future.

Out of interest, can you tell us what the power source is to the injection moulding machine?

Cheers,
Martin.
Play, discover, learn and enjoy! (and don't be scared to make mistakes along the way!)

Yuri

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Re: power analysis
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2014, 01:51:33 AM »
You get 3 phase and single phase once . Then you can also look at unbalanced 3 phase once and balanced 3 phase
Energy = KWh
Power = KW

SeanB

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Re: power analysis
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2014, 04:11:21 AM »
Injection moulders typically have a whole bank of heater elements, and though the machine is 3 phase the elements are all single phase with individual controllers. Thus the meter must measure each phase of the 3 phase supply both current and voltage wise and then sum the power for the heaters. As well you will have a large motor that either drives a hydraulic pump or direct drives the extruder auger, and then you might have either air or hydraulic linear actuators that move the moulds into position and operate the auger to inject.

Thus you typically will want to measure power during start up as the machine warms up, then the idle power with it hot, then the power in between cycles when it has a running auger and then the power during the injection stroke. The start up power is likely to be the highest as all heaters are on and warming up, and then the power use during injection will be slightly smaller as the heaters cycle randomly while the motor and actuators are running. If you want total power do not forget the energy used by the air compressor, as this is often neglected, and is quite expensive.