NETA Level III
When testing the current display on EATON IQ 100 panel meters, voltage must be applied to the phase input under test in order to get a current reading at the meter.
Normally when I don’t have a relay set, I will use a simple Variac/Current Box setup to test panel meter L-N voltage and phase currents individually. I generally like to run through the voltage first and the current second.
I am currently on an acceptance testing job with a bunch of panel meters to test, a mixture of EATON IQ 100 and ElectroIndustries Shark 200. For those who are unfamiliar, the Shark and EATON IQ meters appear nearly identical but apparently the EATON version is a cheap knockoff.
It just so happens I tested the Shark 200 meters first and had no problems with simply powering up the meter using a cheater cord, pushing current through the metering CT’s, and getting a reading. When I moved on to the EATON IQ 100 using the same methodology, I was unable to get a current reading at the meter. 100A on the test set, 0A on the meter…
This was very confusing for many reasons, so I lifted the current inputs from the meter and verified secondary current at the meter wiring - no problems there. I double cheeked the wiring, meter configuration and user manual for any information I could be missing with no luck.
Now it was time to phone a friend who I knew had a lot of experience with these EATON meters from another project, and he mentioned to me about needing a voltage input present to see current. I applied voltage to the phase input under test and pushed current through the CT and sure enough I got a reading.
This was a simple issue that cost me about 45 min of troubleshooting so I wanted to pass along this knowledge to you guys in case someone else finds themselves in a similar situation.
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