Power meters are the essential workhorses for electricians and anyone who designs, manufactures or installs electrical devices. Within the broad category there are sub-categories that are specialized for certain tasks.
There are electric meters, used by utility companies to measure the amount of electricity a customer uses. There is the kilowatt meter that measures the amount of energy, in kilowatts, in a given electrical circuit. Optical power meters measure the amount of energy in fiber optical transmission systems and are often used by optical network builders. An ammeter measures the energy of an electric circuit in units of amperes. Then there are the most common ones people think of as the devices they use to check home wiring, or car electrical systems.
The main difference in power meters is between analog and digital. Analog is designed to give a continuous reading of levels. Digital meters can closely approximate analog continuity, however, by their nature, they use very small discrete units of measurement. One is not better than the other, rather the type of measurement needed and the electrical output being measured often determine which type is used.
Most digital types can measure both volts and amperes, in either alternating and/or direct current in one unit. They can combine multiple functions in one unit, such as a power meter, oscilloscope, and data logging from periods ranging from minutes to months. Some of the more advanced ones can generate graphs and reports when used with special software.
How the power meter is to be used can also be seen in its design. There are meters that use probes, others that use clamps, some are designed to sit on a bench and others designed for portability. An industrial/military meter is designed to perform its task under the extremes of heat, cold, humidity, shock, electromagnetic interference, and vibration.
Power meters are often used as a calibration tool to continuously check electrical levels in processing or manufacturing, where the electrical levels have an important part in determining the quality of the final product, such as when electrical current is used for bonding two different materials. They are also heavily used for quality control when the final product has to operate within defined tolerances, such as electric motors. In scientific instruments, power metering is a given for x-ray machines, magnetic imaging or containment devices, lasers and other pulse instruments, and many other instruments that require extreme control of power levels.
Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about Kilowatt meter, please visit http://www.hoytmeter.com/.
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