Troubleshooting

Results seem to be wrong
Check your input filter configuration: The accurate filter needs about 500 ms to 1 second to return an updated value. The fast filter needs at least one full cycle to return the updated value. If the time since the last value change was shorter, the result still does not reflect the new value. Check your measurement range: Always select the smallest suitable input range of IN 1 and IN 2. Furthermore, check your current clamp ranges. Example: If you are measuring say the secondary side of a 1000:1 CT with 100 A primary injection, you will see 100 mA on the secondary side. Using a current clamp in the 10 mV/A range will result in a voltage of 1 mV on the analog input. If a high input range is selected, this small value could not be measured correctly. Check the response time of your relay: Especially digital relays need some time for their internal calculations. For example, some frequency relays need 100 ms or more to react to a frequency change. If you want to test such relays with frequency ramps, check the data sheet of the relay, and set the step time of the ramp to a sufficiently large value. Check your sensor: Some smart sensors, like Rogowski coils, have integrated power-saving or power-off functions, which may switch off the measurement after a few minutes. In case of power-saving functions, it might take a few seconds until the sensor provides correct values again. Refer the user documentation of your sensor on how to use this function and how to disable it for the measurement. Check your grounding: COMPANO 100 is of protection class II. Therefore, grounding is not as critical as with devices that are grounded via a power cord. Nevertheless, due to internal capacities there is a certain coupling between the mains, housing and outputs, which might lead to wrong results, depending on the input circuit of the used relay. Grounding is therefore recommended. Check the DC offset calibration of your clamp or sensor: Current clamps like the OMICRON C-PROBE 1 or the Chauvin Arnoux E25 allow you to adjust the DC offset of the clamp. Please make sure that the DC offset is set to 0 A before using the clamp for the actual measurement. You can, for example, connect the clamp to IN1 of COMPANO 100, configure IN1 for the current clamp, start the output of 0 A in QUICK, and then adjust the offset until the current reading of IN1 is (almost) zero. Alternatively, use the auto offset calibration function of the current clamp, if available. Check the batteries of your clamp or sensor: Some current clamps or sensors need batteries for operation. Weak batteries can interfere with the output signal. Check the user documentation of your clamp or sensor for details. When testing a self-supplied relay: Some self-supplied (CT-supplied) relays use a switched-mode power supply that heavily distorts the voltage in the current path and may interfere with the controller algorithms in COMPANO 100. In most cases such relays can be tested using the CBF1 accessory for COMPANO 100 (→ Accessories).

Results seem to be wrong

Check your input filter configuration:

The accurate filter needs about 500 ms to 1 second to return an updated value.

The fast filter needs at least one full cycle to return the updated value. If the time since the last value change was shorter, the result still does not reflect the new value.

Check your measurement range:

Always select the smallest suitable input range of IN 1 and IN 2.

Furthermore, check your current clamp ranges.

Example: If you are measuring say the secondary side of a 1000:1 CT with 100 A primary injection, you will see 100 mA on the secondary side. Using a current clamp in the 10 mV/A range will result in a voltage of 1 mV on the analog input. If a high input range is selected, this small value could not be measured correctly.

Check the response time of your relay:

Especially digital relays need some time for their internal calculations. For example, some frequency relays need 100 ms or more to react to a frequency change. If you want to test such relays with frequency ramps, check the data sheet of the relay, and set the step time of the ramp to a sufficiently large value.

Check your sensor:

Some smart sensors, like Rogowski coils, have integrated power-saving or power-off functions, which may switch off the measurement after a few minutes. In case of power-saving functions, it might take a few seconds until the sensor provides correct values again. Refer the user documentation of your sensor on how to use this function and how to disable it for the measurement.

Check your grounding:

COMPANO 100 is of protection class II. Therefore, grounding is not as critical as with devices that are grounded via a power cord. Nevertheless, due to internal capacities there is a certain coupling between the mains, housing and outputs, which might lead to wrong results, depending on the input circuit of the used relay. Grounding is therefore recommended.

Check the DC offset calibration of your clamp or sensor:

Current clamps like the OMICRON C-PROBE 1 or the Chauvin Arnoux E25 allow you to adjust the DC offset of the clamp.

Please make sure that the DC offset is set to 0 A before using the clamp for the actual measurement. You can, for example, connect the clamp to IN1 of COMPANO 100, configure IN1 for the current clamp, start the output of 0 A in QUICK, and then adjust the offset until the current reading of IN1 is (almost) zero. Alternatively, use the auto offset calibration function of the current clamp, if available.

Check the batteries of your clamp or sensor:

Some current clamps or sensors need batteries for operation. Weak batteries can interfere with the output signal.

Check the user documentation of your clamp or sensor for details.

When testing a self-supplied relay:

Some self-supplied (CT-supplied) relays use a switched-mode power supply that heavily distorts the voltage in the current path and may interfere with the controller algorithms in COMPANO 100.

In most cases such relays can be tested using the CBF1 accessory for COMPANO 100 (→ Accessories).

Test set does not power up, or it switches off immediately
Temperature too high: If the battery temperature exceeds an upper limit, the test set cannot be powered up, or it switches off immediately in order to protect the battery. Let the test set and the battery cool down, then try again to power it up. Temperature too low If the battery temperature falls below a lower limit, the test set cannot be powered up, or it switches off immediately in order to protect the battery. Slowly warm up the test set and the battery, then try again to power it up.

Test set does not power up, or it switches off immediately

Temperature too high:

If the battery temperature exceeds an upper limit, the test set cannot be powered up, or it switches off immediately in order to protect the battery. Let the test set and the battery cool down, then try again to power it up.

Temperature too low

If the battery temperature falls below a lower limit, the test set cannot be powered up, or it switches off immediately in order to protect the battery. Slowly warm up the test set and the battery, then try again to power it up.

Test set switches off immediately after starting the signal output
Maximum power limitation: The maximum output power is limited to about 1 kVA. If the output power is higher, for example when putting out 100 A to 200 mΩ, the test set will switch off the current immediately. In this case, reduce the current in order to reduce the output power. The resistance of the used cables may be at fault for the largest part of the resistance. Try to use dedicated high-current cables, like the optional 6 m (19.5 ft) high-current cable set (P0006213) or contact OMICRON Support (→ Support) for a custom cable set. Temperature too low: The internal resistance of the battery depends on its temperature. If it is very cold (≤ 0 °C/14 °F), the battery may not be able to deliver the full output power, and the test set will switch off the current immediately. In such a case, either reduce the output current or warm up the test set. State of charge too low: If the state of charge is very low, a high output power will generate very high currents in the test set. To protect both the test set and the battery, the test set will switch off the current immediately. In such a case, either reduce the output current or recharge the battery.

Test set switches off immediately after starting the signal output

Maximum power limitation:

The maximum output power is limited to about 1 kVA. If the output power is higher, for example when putting out 100 A to 200 mΩ, the test set will switch off the current immediately. In this case, reduce the current in order to reduce the output power.

The resistance of the used cables may be at fault for the largest part of the resistance. Try to use dedicated high-current cables, like the optional 6 m (19.5 ft) high-current cable set (P0006213) or contact OMICRON Support (→ Support) for a custom cable set.

Temperature too low:

The internal resistance of the battery depends on its temperature. If it is very cold (≤ 0 °C/14 °F), the battery may not be able to deliver the full output power, and the test set will switch off the current immediately. In such a case, either reduce the output current or warm up the test set.

State of charge too low:

If the state of charge is very low, a high output power will generate very high currents in the test set. To protect both the test set and the battery, the test set will switch off the current immediately. In such a case, either reduce the output current or recharge the battery.

Grounding system test aborts
Message “Invalid measurement possibly due to large interferences. Please try again.“: The application module uses the auto-ranging mode of the measurement input. If there are no large interferences (for example, at mains frequency), a smaller and more accurate input range will be selected automatically. In the rare case of a large, non-constant interference after the start of the measurement, the input range will be exceeded and the measurement will be invalid. In this case, please repeat this specific measurement by pressing the start button again. If the interference continues, it may be necessary to try it several times for the measurement to become valid. This can happen, for example, next to an electrical railway track, when a train is passing by, or nearby an industrial plant if there is a sudden change in the load-flow.

Grounding system test aborts

Message “Invalid measurement possibly due to large interferences. Please try again.“:

The application module uses the auto-ranging mode of the measurement input. If there are no large interferences (for example, at mains frequency), a smaller and more accurate input range will be selected automatically. In the rare case of a large, non-constant interference after the start of the measurement, the input range will be exceeded and the measurement will be invalid. In this case, please repeat this specific measurement by pressing the start button again. If the interference continues, it may be necessary to try it several times for the measurement to become valid.

This can happen, for example, next to an electrical railway track, when a train is passing by, or nearby an industrial plant if there is a sudden change in the load-flow.

Battery State of Health is low
State of health update: The system needs a full charging cycle to update the state of health. More information about the state of health (SOH) of the battery...

Battery cannot be charged to 100 %
State of health update: If the battery is used for a long time without a full charge cycle, the displayed charge level can be inaccurate even if the battery is fully charged. The battery needs a full charging cycle to update the state of health and reset the charge level calculation. More information about the state of health (SOH) of the battery...

Update does not work
Before starting the update, COMPANO 100 needs to be charged to at least 70 %. If this is the case, disconnect the charger and make sure COMPANO 100 is powered down before starting the update process (→ Software update).

The polarity checker does not detect the signal correctly
Signal amplitude too small: CPOL, CPOL2 and CPOL3 need to detect a voltage between two measurement points. In some cases, for example, when measuring on two sides of a closed switch, this voltage might be too small. In this case you can try to increase the measurement current, if possible, or to use CPOL2 or CPOL3, which provide a higher sensitivity than CPOL. Signal distorted: Some self-supplied relays (CT-supplied) use a switched-mode power supply that heavily distorts the measured voltage. CPOL, CPOL2 and CPOL3 are not able to detect such a distorted sawtooth signal. In such a case, use a current clamp together with CPOL2 or CPOL3 to test the polarity (→ Polarity check). High sensitivity: When performing wiring checks, it is possible for you to inject, for example, into phase A and also measure a signal on phase B. This can be caused by capacitive or inductive coupling between the phases. In such a case, use a current clamp in combination with CPOL2or CPOL3 to test the polarity (→ Polarity check). CPOL3 is less sensitive to coupled signals.

The polarity checker does not detect the signal correctly

Signal amplitude too small:

CPOL, CPOL2 and CPOL3 need to detect a voltage between two measurement points. In some cases, for example, when measuring on two sides of a closed switch, this voltage might be too small. In this case you can try to increase the measurement current, if possible, or to use CPOL2 or CPOL3, which provide a higher sensitivity than CPOL.

Signal distorted:

Some self-supplied relays (CT-supplied) use a switched-mode power supply that heavily distorts the measured voltage. CPOL, CPOL2 and CPOL3 are not able to detect such a distorted sawtooth signal. In such a case, use a current clamp together with CPOL2 or CPOL3 to test the polarity (→ Polarity check).

High sensitivity:

When performing wiring checks, it is possible for you to inject, for example, into phase A and also measure a signal on phase B. This can be caused by capacitive or inductive coupling between the phases.

In such a case, use a current clamp in combination with CPOL2or CPOL3 to test the polarity (→ Polarity check). CPOL3 is less sensitive to coupled signals.

Output voltage is only available during a running test
If you want to supply, for example, a relay, to configure it before and read the results after the test, you can use the AUX DC mode (→ AUX DC mode). In the AUX DC mode, only the current output can be used for the test.

Granularity of the output value is not fine enough
Current granularity is not fine enough: The 20 A output range of the current output provides a higher granularity for small currents. This can, for example, be used to test ground fault relays.