Getting Started 

Have facility personnel, usually one of the electricians on site, assist you in obtaining a live reading. Collect their name and title at the facility. Bring a power quality analyzer, note-taking materials, and a camera. If you have a phone camera, that can also be used to take photos. 

Using the Power Quality Analyzer (PQA)

Fluke 43B Power Quality Analyzer with i400s AC clamp


The OSU IAC uses the Fluke 43B Power Quality Analyzer to measure live power readings. The following instructions may not apply to other power quality analyzer devices, so please refer to your device's operating manual for further guidance. 

Visual shorthand instructions for the Fluke 43B PQA can be through the following document:

  1. Turn on the device by pressing the green power button.
  2. Once the screen is on, it will display which leads/probes are required at the inputs. 
  3. Plug in the leads to their respective units, as seen in the photo below:         

Fluke 43B Power Quality Analyzer Inputs (Top)

Fluke 43B Power Quality Analyzer Inputs (Top)                                                                                    

  • Check integrity of probes and equipment.
  • The red lead should be connected to input 1.
  • The black lead should be connected to input COM.
  • The i400s AC current probe should be connected to input 2. 
  1. Have the electrician place the leads to the appropriate terminals of the motor. 
    • Show the electrician the wiring diagram on the screen to ensure they connect the leads correctly. 
    • If the motor has a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD), make sure the measurement is performed before the VFD. 
  2. Perform the measurement and record these values from the reading: 
    • Real Power - KW
    • Apparent Power - KVA
    • Reactive Power - KVAR
    • Power Factor - PF 
    • Displacement Power Factor - DPF 
    • Frequency - Hz

Common Mistakes

Connecting the voltage leads backwards will lead to negative values. However, negative readings are only an issue when using the record function on the analyzer. 

Readings obtained in single-phase mode when measuring three-phase will return inaccurate results.