The PowerPad® III Model 8336 is a three-phase power quality analyzer that is easy-to-use,
compact and shock resistant. It enables technicians and engineers to measure and carry out diagnostics
and power quality work on one-, two- or three-phase networks. The instrument is IEC 61000-4-30
Class B compliant and safety rated to 600V CAT IV.
The Model 8336 is designed for use in the field with direct access to configuration
and measurement data. It includes:
Five voltage input connections, facilitating four voltage measurement channels, and four
current input connections for four current measurement channels.
Automatic current sensor recognition.
¼ VGA graphical display.
The ability to identify and record up to 210 transient measurements.
True Inrush current detection.
And options for configuring and detecting up to 40 different alarms, with the ability
to store 10,000 events.
These are just a few of the Model 8336’s capabilities. For details on all its features
and functionality, consult the documentation that comes with the instrument.
In Part 1 of this two-part video series, we explain some of the basic functions of the
Model 8336. We begin by helping you become familiar with the instrument’s user interface.
We then describe general instrument configuration. We conclude by demonstrating how to set up,
run, and save a recording session on the instrument.
This video is designed to provide a hands-on experience. As we explain each task, we suggest
you follow along using your own instrument.
We encourage you to proceed with this video at your own pace. If there are tasks you’d
like to repeat, simply stop the video and go back to the beginning of the task. Conversely,
feel free to skip any topics with which you are already familiar.
Before you begin, do the following:
If the instrument battery is not fully charged, connect the power supply to the instrument.
This will ensure the instrument remains powered through the duration of the video.
Then turn the instrument ON.
If you need help with either of these tasks, consult the instrument’s user manual.
With the Model 8336 powered ON, let’s take
a moment to become familiar with the instrument’s front panel interface.
This includes a large, bright 320 by 240 pixel color ¼ VGA display for displaying measurements
and configuring parameters.
At the bottom of the screen is a set of icons that correspond with the yellow function buttons
immediately below them. Each icon represents the function performed by its associated button.
Icons are context-sensitive; different screens display different sets of icons. The currently
selected icon appears in yellow, unselected icons are gray.
Below the function keys are three additional sets of buttons. On the left is a column of
buttons that, top to bottom:
Returns to the previous screen
Displays the Configuration Options menu
Takes and displays Snapshots
Displays context-sensitive Help
To the right is the arrows keypad. Use these in conjunction with the Enter button to navigate,
highlight, select, edit, and save options and parameters.
Below these are six buttons for selecting the instrument’s operational mode.
Waveform Capture mode enables you to display and to capture transients and inrush currents.
Harmonics mode displays harmonic levels for voltage, current, and apparent power, order
by order.
Waveform mode displays current and voltage graphs, along with measured values and those
calculated from voltages and currents.
Alarm mode displays overages of programmable thresholds for a variety of parameters.
Trend mode records changes to specified parameters.
And Power and Energy mode displays power and energy measurements.
The full use of these buttons is described in detail in the user manual.
Finally, at bottom left is the ON/OFF key.
On the top of the Model 8336 is the input panel, consisting of four current and five
voltage input connections for connecting sensors and probes. Each input is labeled to ensure
correct hookup to the distribution system under test.
In this video, we will connect the Model 8336 to the AEMC AC Digital Signal Generator Model
DSG-8. This device simulates waveforms for AEMC PowerPad, PowerPad III, and PEL series
instruments. The DSG-8 can create simulations for any AC distribution system supported by
these instruments, including capturing transients, inrush, and alarm events.
The DSG-8 output leads are labeled to ensure correct connection to the Model 8336 inputs.
Our first task involves setting basic instrument configuration parameters. With the instrument
ON, press the configuration button, labeled with a wrench icon, to display the Configuration
Options screen.
By default, the Date/Time option is selected; if not use the arrow buttons to highlight
it. Then press the Enter button to display the Date/Time screen.
Check the displayed date and time. If it differs from the current date and time, press Enter
to select the settings. Then use the arrow buttons to change the date and/or time. When
finished, press Enter.
The Date/Time screen also lets you select the date and time formats. To change these,
use the arrow and Enter buttons to highlight, select, and change the settings. When finished,
press the configuration button to return to the Configuration Options screen.
Use the arrows to navigate to and highlight Electrical Hook-up, then press Enter. In our
example, we will connect to a simulation of a 3-phase 5-wire hook-up. So we will select
this option and then press Enter.
You are returned to the Configuration Options screen. Use the arrows to navigate to Probes
and Ratios, and press Enter. This screen lists all connected sensors, which are automatically
detected and identified by the instrument.
Press the first yellow function button on the left (under the “V” icon) to display
the Voltage Ratios screen. This lets you set the primary to secondary ratios for voltage
channels. You can also choose whether to use the same ratio for every line or assign a
unique ratio for each.
By default, the Ratio Set-up field is highlighted. Press Enter to select this setting, and use
the arrow buttons to change it. In our demonstration, we will choose to have different ratios for
every line. Press Enter to save the selection.
Press the Up and Down arrows to navigate through the list of voltage ratios, and press Enter
to edit a setting. Feel free to spend a few moments experimenting with the voltage ratios
and observing how the measurement reacts. For example, set a voltage ratio, then press
the Waveform Measurements button and observe the change to the displayed data.
With the Model 8336 configured and connected to a hookup (or in our case, a hookup simulation)
we can now view measurement data in real time. For instance, the default display screen that
appears when you first power ON the Model 8336 is the waveform screen. This screen includes
its own set of function button icons for displaying:
True RMS values
Total harmonic distortion calculations
Crest factor values
Minimum, maximum, RMS, and peak values
A variety of measurements in tabular format
And a real-time phasor diagram
Before setting up a recording session on the Model 8336, ensure the instrument time and
date are correct. Also ensure the appropriate hookup setting is selected. These topics are
covered earlier in this video.
Press the Trend mode button. If there are no recordings stored in the instrument, the
Recording Schedule screen appears. If there are stored recordings, as is the case here,
the Recording List screen is displayed. In this situation, press the yellow function
button under the Disk icon to display the Recording Schedule screen.
This screen enables you to configure, start, and schedule a recording. In our example we
will begin by selecting measurements to include in the recording, so press the Configure function
button on the left to display the Trend Mode screen.
At the bottom of the Trend Mode screen are a set of function button icons. From left
to right, pressing each button
Displays the next page of quantities
Displays the previous page of quantities
Cycles backward through a set of 4 programmable configurations
Cycles forward through these configurations
Selects all available quantities to be included in the recording
And deselects all available quantities
Use the arrows to navigate through the displayed quantities. Select or deselect a quantity
to record by pressing Enter. In our example, we will include all quantities.
Note that some quantities may appear in red. This indicates the parameter is unavailable
for the selected configuration, due to incompatibility with the hookup type, disconnected sensors
and probes, or other factors. For example, if no current sensor is connected; all current
quantities appear in red.
Also note that Hertz (Hz) is always selected.
Now we will schedule the recording. Press the Back button to return to the Recording
Schedule screen. This displays five input fields:
Setup identifies the configuration preset, 1 through 4.
Start defines the time and date when the recording starts. This must be later than the current
date and time.
Stop specifies when the recording ends. This must be later than the start time.
Period defines the aggregation period. This is the time over which the measurements are
aggregated.
Name allows you to name the test. This can be 8 characters long.
Use the arrow and enter buttons to highlight, select, and edit the Start and Stop fields.
For our demonstration, we will set Start for 5 minutes past the current time, and Stop
one hour past the start time. We will also set the Period to 1s, and give the recording
the name VIDEO3.
Note the memory usage bar at the top of the screen. This indicates how much memory is
available for storing recordings. If this indicates little free memory remains, return
to the Recording List screen and delete one or more stored recordings.
Press the last yellow function button on the right to write the settings to the instrument.
Before a scheduled recording starts, the message RECORDING ON STANDBY should appear at the
top of the screen. This indicates all scheduling parameters have been accepted by the instrument
and that there is sufficient memory for the recording.
While the instrument is in standby, the rightmost function button changes to a hand icon. This
enables you to stop an active or pending recording. In addition, the PLAY icon at the top of the
screen blinks, indicating that the instrument is ready to record. This icon blinks throughout
the active recording session.
When the recording is active, the message “Recording in Progress” appears on the
screen.
As a good practice, before you run a long recording (or one on a remote site) we recommend
running a short test recording and viewing it to ensure it contains meaningful data.
This helps identify issues such as current probes connected in reversed directions, or
incorrect current and voltage phase connections.
When your recording is finished, you can view it in the instrument’s recording list. If
the Recording Schedule screen is displayed, press the yellow function button under the
Folder icon. If any other screen is displayed, press the Recording button. Either action
displays the Recording List screen.
If more than one recording is stored, use the arrows to select the desired recording,
then press Enter to open it.
The first page of the recording shows basic information including the recording name,
the start and stop times, and the sample period used. In the lower right corner is the page
number, which in this example indicates we are looking at the first page of a 48 page
recording. The number of pages is determined by the number of quantities selected in the
Trend Configuration screen.
Press the Page function button on the far right to cycle through the pages. As you do
this, the remaining function buttons refresh to correspond with the data contained on the
selected page.
To view a parameter, press its function button. For example, to view voltage root mean square
data, press Vrms. At the top of the screen are the RMS values for the phase inputs.
On the right is a column listing the phases. By default, all phase data is shown in a single
display. Use the up and down buttons to view data for individual phases.
The center of the screen shows the data graphically. Pressing the left and right buttons moves
the cursor to different times within the graph. As you do this, the minimum, average, and
maximum measurements at the top of the screen refresh. Use the zoom in and zoom out buttons
to view the graph in more detail.
And for some parameters, the MIN and MAX function buttons allow you to quickly navigate to the
first occurrence of the minimum and maximum value respectively.
When finished, press enter to return to the previous page.
This concludes Part 1 of our video series about the PowerPad III Model 8336. In Part
II, we explain how to connect the instrument to a computer running the DataView PowerPad
III Control Panel. We then demonstrate how to configure the instrument, view data in
real time, set up and run a recording session, download recordings, and create reports from
this data.
Bear in mind we have only touched upon a few basic functions of the Model 8336, to introduce
you to the instrument and get you up and running quickly. Many other features are available,
including selecting viewing modes, setting alarms, taking data snapshots, and choosing
from a wide variety of display options. These and all other Model 8336 features are discussed
in detail in the user manual that comes with the product. You can also receive guidance
directly from the instrument by pressing the Help button.
And be sure to check our YouTube channel for instructional videos on other topics in electronics,
including the many products offered by AEMC.