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From: dsi@unccvax.UUCP (Dataspan Inc)
Newsgroups: net.consumers,net.analog
Subject: Re: power meters
Message-ID: <169@unccvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 26-Mar-85 22:42:53 EST
Article-I.D.: unccvax.169
Posted: Tue Mar 26 22:42:53 1985
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Xref: watmath net.consumers:2064 net.analog:235


      You've been watching too many "Death Valley Days" reruns (or whatever). An
ammeter in and of itself is generally worthless at AC. Many household loads are
NOT generally resistive; perhaps if this gentleman had an unaccountable increase
in energy consumption where there was large inductive machinery, it might even be
USEFUL to know the power factor on individual devices......

       In all seriousness, I think the gentleman was making a request for a 
specific, inexpensive device, not a lambasting as to his scientific credentials.
Ever try to measure the power consumption on dynamic RAM with your typical garden-variety Weston ammeter? How do you know the power is flowing towards the generator or the load ? Is your 60 hz sinusoidal (not at the output of a Solatron)???Not every measurement problem can be reduced to high school physics.

'Nuff said. Pfft.
dya