Another vital test that has required a separate piece of equipment until now is motor rotation. Again the display will indicate lead hookup. Manually turn the shaft and the display will show L1 L2 L3 to indicate correct rotation. It’s as simple as that (Fig. 4). Add an AC/DC voltmeter and frequency measurement for supply voltage characterization and you’ve got it all (Fig. 5). For further convenience, the tester may have an LCR position for inductance, capacitance, and resistance. As with rotation, these parameters have traditionally required a separate meter. Modern instrumentation will determine automatically if the load is inductive, capacitive, or resistive, and then display the value for the reactive component. Capacitance and inductance can then be selected and measured individually.
All this is now shown on a full color graphic display. This is not for pizzazz
but is a valuable tool to keep the operator focused on the correct function and prevent costly and time wasting errors. It improves the user experience, making it easier to use and more intuitive. Test results are now more clearly and fully displayed. A selector switch, as opposed to multi-function keys, is another asset to field testing as it reduces error, saves time, and enables the operator to conveniently and repeatedly check that the correct setup is in use. And since motor windings can store large and lethal static charge, safety should never be neglected. Redundant features like IEC61010 conformance, live circuit detection and test inhibit, and terminal lockout voltages keep the operator safe! No more carrying a truckload of instruments. You can now do the full battery of electrical tests for motors as well as anywhere else that applies with just a single handheld instrument. And to conclude with a bit of fun, how many separate testers have we shown combined?
Answer: 6; megohmmeter, DMM, VOM, MRT, LCR, low resistance ohmmeter
