Model 928A Power System Multimeter

Handheld, affordable Power System Multimeter measures power and energy, flicker, harmonics, phase angle and includes a waveform display

Model 928A Manual
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Model 928A Data Sheet
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The Model 928A Power System Multimeter with Floating-Point DSP^™ Digital Signal Analysis is an AC Power measurement instrument, providing outstanding performance and flexibility in a small, hand-held package. Not only does the Model 928A measure basic data and power quantities, but it also measures power quality including harmonics, flicker, sags, surges and interruptions. Incorporating a graphic LCD display, serial communications, real time clock and an unprecedented combination of features makes the Model 928A the ideal instrument for the power professional.

For current measurements, Model 928A works with several Arbiter external Current Transformers available as accessories to the unit.

Key Features
Specs
Options
Accessories
Software
Firmware
Related Resources

Downloadable CT characterization files.
Low Cost
0.1% Accuracy
Power and Energy
Flicker per IEC 61000-4-15
Harmonics I, V to 50th, THD
Phase Angle I-I, V-V, I-V
Waveform Display

Input

Configuration Note	The Arbiter Systems^®, Inc. Model 928A Power System Multimeter^™ has two identical measurement channels, Channel A and Channel B. Each input channel has a voltage input and a current input. Current inputs are intended for use with external CTs having a nominal output of 0 to 1 Arms or 0 to 1 Vrms. For basic measurements (voltage, current, frequency, and phase angle) any combination of inputs may be used. For power and energy measurements (active power, apparent power, reactive power, and power factor), one voltage and one current must be selected.

Voltage

Input Range	1 to 660 Vrms
Impedance	1.2 megohm, differential

Current

Input Range	0.01 to 1.2 Arms or 0.01 to 1.2 Vrms
Low Range	to < 1 mA or 1 mV
Burden	0.01 ohm maximum (current input style) or 100 kohms nominal (voltage input style)

Measurements

Voltage and Current

Method	Wideband: True rms, 3 kHz Bandwidth Narrowband: Fundamental magnitude
Accuracy	0.1% of reading or ±5 mV, whichever is greater (voltage) 0.1% of reading + CT errors (current) 1% of reading + CT errors (low current range)

Phase Angle

A-B Range	0 to 360° or ±180°
A-B Accuracy	0.1°
Underrange	< 1° typical

Frequency

Range	50 or 60 Hz ±5 Hz
Accuracy	0.005% of reading

Harmonics

Input	Channel A and Channel B, simultaneous
Range	2^nd to 50^th Harmonic (50 or 60 Hz fundamental)
Accuracy	0.1% THD + 5% reading
Display	THD; K-factor; Amplitude bar graph; and individual harmonic magnitude and phase (simultaneous)

Waveform Display

Channel A and/or Channel B

Power

Range	0 to 99999 MVA or MVAh ±99999 MVAR or MVARh ±99999 MW or MWh ±1.0000 PF, lead or lag
Accuracy	0.1% of VA, for VA, VAR, and W 0.001 PF

Interface

Operator

Display	128 x 64 graphic LCD
Keypad	30 key keypad
Serial	USB
Memory	512 KB flash
Data	User setups, Real Time Clock, Approximately 400 KB measurement data

Power Requirements

Internal Battery

Type	4-AA Cells, alkaline or NiMH (not included)
Operation	30 hours typical with alkaline cells. 60 hours typical with NiMH

External

Voltage	+7 Vdc, unregulated (not included)
Current	< 100 mA
Connector	5.5 x 2.0 mm, center positive

General

Physical

Instrument/Size	200.0 x 104.2 x 37.4 mm (7.9 x 4.1 x 1.5 in.) 381 x 305 x 299 mm (15 x 12 x 9 in.), shipping
Weight	1 kg (2.2 lbs), net 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs), shipping

Environmental

Temperature	Operating: 0 °C to +50 °C Nonoperating: -40 °C to +75 °C
Humidity	Noncondensing

General
928AoptCTCHAR	CT Characterization

Included
AP0009700	Voltage Probe Lead Set
PD0030900	Operation Manual (928)
Available
AP0001300 ¹	1000:1 Clamp-on CT, 1000 A (Current Output)
AP0010200 ¹	CT, Clamp-On, 1000 A, 1000:5,Elliptical Opening (Current Output)
AP0011200	Wall-mount Power Supply: 100-240 Vac, 50-60 Hz; 7 Vdc, 0.714 A
AP0012300 ²	100:1 Clamp-on CT, 150 A, 10 mV/A (1 V @ 100 A ac)
AP0012800 ¹	1000:1, 200 A rms, Clamp-on CT
AP0012900 ¹	250:5, 500:5, 1000:5, 1000 A rms, Clamp-on CT
AS0071800	Model 928A Starter Kit
AS0079001	Universal Test Plug Current Shunt, A Phase Red
AS0079002	Universal Test Plug Current Shunt, B Phase Yellow
AS0079003	Universal Test Plug Current Shunt, C Phase Blue
AS0082900	928A Bail Assembly
BT0000201	4-AA Alkaline cells
CA0026106	USB Data Cable, 6 ft
CA0027100	CT Cable, Current Output
CA0027200	CT Cable, Voltage Output
MLINK	Mlink software

¹ Requires CA0027100
² Requires CA0027200

Click to Download Latest Version of Software
928_Mlink_04Jan2011_0508	Simplifies the modification of various configuration settings
928_UsersCTProg_12Jul2007_010	Allows for CT File Creation and Modification
FTDI_USB_Driver_EXE_2.08.28	Required for USB communications. Includes 32 and 64 bit versions in an executable file.
FTDI_USB_Driver_ZIP_2.08.28	Required for USB communications. Includes 32 and 64 bit versions in a zipped file.

Software Version and Related Information

928_Mlink

This software interface has been specifically written for the Model 928A.

Supports transfer of data from the 928A to your PC.
Simplifies configuring complicated measurement functions like Power Quality.
Allows upload of latest firmware release to the 928A.
Compatible with Windows NT, 2000 and Windows XP

Version	Rev Level	Version Notes
04Jan2011	0.508	Fixed incorrect date when importing/exporting with spreadsheets.
21Jul2010	0.507	Initial release

928_UsersCTProg

Utility allows the creation and modification of CT characterization files for Model 928A.

Version	Rev Level	Version Notes
12Jul2007	0.1.0	Initial Release

Utility (FTDI_USB_Driver_EXE)

Check for updates at FTDI\'s web site.
Click to download the installation Guide: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP.

Version	Rev Level	Version Notes
2.08.28		The latest version. Includes the following versions of the Windows operating system: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 R2. Release Notes
2.08.14		The latest version. Includes the following versions of the Windows operating system: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2.

Utility (FTDI_USB_Driver_ZIP)

Check for updates at FTDI\'s web site.
Click to download the installation Guide: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP.

Version	Rev Level	Version Notes
2.08.28		The latest version. Includes the following versions of the Windows operating system: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 R2. Release Notes

Firmware Information (EPROM based firmware is not available for download)
928_Firmware_24Feb2010_110	Downloadable. Requires 928_MLink version 0.506 or newer.

Firmware Version and Related Information

Downloadable firmware (928_Firmware)

Version	Version Notes
24Feb2010	Host Version 1.10 24Feb2010 Limit Flicker values to two decimal digits of resolution (match 933 and 1133). Fix potential log data download data corruption problem. Overflow in certain values of Power Quality Config. (BZ 511) Set default date to 1 Jan 2010, was 6 Jan 2005 (only used when powered for the first time). DSP Version 1.04 24Feb2010 Harmonic Phase Angles fixed. (BZ 535)
08Jan2007	Host Version 1.05 08Jan2007 Add factory calibration storage element. Key repeat feature now limited to only the "Up" and "Down" arrow keys. Also implemented a maximum repeat time (get rid of stuck key keeping the unit powered). Add units to Thd, RMS-K, Thd-F and Thd-T readings (F1 user screen). Update to use new "ISR()" macro ("SIGNAL()" macro being deprecated) DSP Version 1.02 08Jan2007 Updated to support 928 internal CT wiring differences
03Aug2006	Update menu screens which did not wrap when scrolling through options. F1 user screen basic data changed to use "normal" non-changing basic data (not effected by hold-min-max-avg). Fix display of calibration date info (if no calibrations date and Flash modified, it would incorrectly increment to the calibration menu).

Using SensorLink Litewires with the Model 928A
Download Using_SensorLink_Litewires_with_928A.pdf (277 kB) »