Continuously monitor/log power quality from AC outlet. What method is cheap and effective?

[GammaGlobulin]

Due to recent and ongoing problems with AC power instability, I need to monitor the power quality and voltage stability, INSTANTANEOUSLY, and save the log to a computer file, either through a USB interface, or via a WIFI connection to PC or Android Phone.

 

What is the low-cost solution.

 

There is no way I will spend thousands of USD to by a Fluke, for example, just to record this data, in order to present the data to the local power supplier in my area.

 

One of the problems with the local power provider is that without hard data they will often state that the problem is wiring in the house, and not the quality of the power supplied to the outside meter.

 

Or, they might send a technician to check the outside meter, and then state that the meter is operating nominally.

 

I have heard of QUTY for example:

 

 

https://github.com/thuehn/PowQuty?tab=readme-ov-file

 

 

But is there an easier solution.

 

Of course, I am not willing to buy one of these:

 

 

 

But, I want to record power data instantaneously, so that I can record very short power interruptions.

 

 

 

Here is what I need to accomplish:

 

 

 

And/OR:  Can I request that the local power company provide the equipment for a two-week monitoring and logging of voltage fluctuations?

 

During some weeks, the UPS units I use will begin emitting alarms many times a day, and at odd hours when the power interrupts for one second or less.

Not easy to sleep when one is getting UPS alarms at 3AM, then 3:30AM, 4:05AM, and so on.

 

What is needed is a very accurate log of these events to present to the local power supplier.

Objective Empirical Data is the only way to approach this problem.

Otherwise, it's sort of BLAME THE VICTIM.....at least from my experience.

 

So, what is the solution to this problem, one which I am sure that many are experiencing, as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

One other point that I had considered when posting this topic is the possibility that some of these very-short power interruptions might be cause by ACR.

 

For example:

 

And my next question was WHY these are happening so frequently.

If these are, mostly, attributable to ACR, then perhaps this suggests equipment failure, or degrading equipment in the electrical power line.

Whatever it is, these micro-power-outages, or micro-cuts, lasting a fraction of a second, are causing many problems such as flickering CFL bulbs, even though the bulbs are of high quality.

Also, problems with UPS alarms.

 

In addition, just turning on an 8000 Watt water heater will cause some of the CFL bulbs to flicker, even though these are not on the same circuit breaker, even though they are connected to the same rail of the circuit breaker box.

 

It seems to me that the FIRST STEP must be to reliably document both these micro-cuts, as well as any more sustained periods of low voltage, lasting minutes, up to about an hour in duration.

 

Without documentation of the problem, then it can be expected that the power supplier's first inclination may be to just deny that these problems are occurring. Or, to contend that the fault lies with the house wiring, which seems to not be the case.

 

Therefore, some cheap way to reliably document the problem is required.

 

 

 

[carlyai]

So you have 3 phase or single phase?

     If you have 3 phase, is it happening on each phase.

 

If the problem has started in the last month (stronger, variable direction winds) could be bamboo ot trees breifly touching the power lines.

PEA will get round to it.

 

If the problem has been going for awhile, get someone to check the tightness of your meter box connection, especially the neutral. 

Starters

[KannikaP]

There are numerous electricity monitoring thingies  to fit in your fuse box on Lazada/Shopee. I have one which sends info via Tuya to my phone. I also have a voltage stabilizer plug board into which I plug my PC/Router etc. Seems to work OK. Also got a Zircon UPS for Bht 1200 which can keep my PC alive for about 2 hours. 

[GammaGlobulin]

12 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

There are numerous electricity monitoring thingies  to fit in your fuse box on Lazada/Shopee. I have one which sends info via Tuya to my phone. I also have a voltage stabilizer plug board into which I plug my PC/Router etc. Seems to work OK. Also got a Zircon UPS for Bht 1200 which can keep my PC alive for about 2 hours. 

 

Thanks for your feedback.

 

The most important factor for me is to be able to arrive at a very accurate solution which will be credible enough to convince the "powers that be", yes, another pun, that the data I collect is VALID.

Only through providing credible supporting evidence can I make a case that my power supply from the grid needs to be checked and improved.

 

As to a solution:

 

Step One:  I must find a way to keep my desktops operating through a two-hour power outage.  Just how many batteries I will need to connect to a UPS is still unknown.  I think my computer draw about 900 watts of power.

 

Step Two:  Find some way to keep lights from flickering during low power periods.  AND, find some way to solve these micro-cuts which happen up to 6 times  per day, and last for less than a second.

 

=========

So, to begin with, I must first provide the proper documentation to the local power company.

 

This is the worst situation, at my locale, that I have yet experienced....to date.

 

 

[KannikaP]

Take a photo of your meter same time every day. Get a fuse box monitor to show them that the readings coincide.

My Zircon Hybrid 1000 keeps my PC  set up on for 2 hours, and if I turn the monitor off (unplug it ), much longer.

[GammaGlobulin]

9 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Take a photo of your meter same time every day. Get a fuse box monitor to show them that the readings coincide.

My Zircon Hybrid 1000 keeps my PC  set up on for 2 hours, and if I turn the monitor off (unplug it ), much longer.

 

Thanks again.

However, I am not so sure that this will interface with my Linux computer so that I can do graceful power shutdown.

 

More importantly, I need to connect to the computer so that I can do power quality analysis using a UPS...which is what I really need for best monitoring....SUCH as with the APC  POWERCHUTE Software, which has now been replaced with a different software from APC.....

 

 

 

CRUCIALLY.....During poweroutage, I need to be to TURN OFF the alarm...which drives me NUTZO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

[KannikaP]

3 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Thanks again.

However, I am not so sure that this will interface with my Linux computer so that I can do graceful power shutdown.

 

More importantly, I need to connect to the computer so that I can do power quality analysis using a UPS...which is what I really need for best monitoring....SUCH as with the APC  POWERCHUTE Software, which has now been replaced with a different software from APC.....

 

 

Yes, that's the one I got from Shopee. Great unit. What's the operating system of the computer got to do with it? I have an LED lamp plugged into mine as well. Was 1200 not 1950, with 2 years onsite warranty.