The requirement for an energy audit such as identification and quantification of energy necessitates measurements; these measurements require the use of instruments. The parameters generally monitored during energy audit may include the following: Basic Electrical Parameters in AC &DC systems – Voltage (V), Current (I), Power factor, Active power (kW), apparent power (demand) (kVA), Reactive power (kVAr), Energy consumption (kWh), Frequency (Hz), Harmonics, etc.

Parameters of importance other than electrical such as temperature & heat flow, radiation, air and gas flow, liquid flow, RPM, air velocity, noise and vibration, dust concentration, TDS, PH, moisture content, relative humidity, flue gas analysis – CO2, O2, CO, SOx, NOx, combustion efficiency etc.

Key instruments for energy audit are listed below. The operating instructions for all instruments must be understood and staff should familiarize themselves with the instruments and their operation prior to actual audit use.

These are instruments for measuring major electrical parameters such as kVA, kW, PF, Hertz, kVAr, Amps and Volts. In addition some of these instruments also measure harmonics. These instruments are applied on-line i.e on running motors without any need to stop the motor. Instant measurements can be taken with hand-held meters, while more advanced ones facilitates cumulative readings with print outs at specified intervals.

This instrument has in-built chemical cells which measure various gases such as O2, CO, NOX and SOX.

This measures oxygen and temperature of the flue gas. Calorific values of common fuels are fed into the microprocessor which calculates the combustion efficiency.

A hand bellow pump draws the flue gas sample into the solution inside the fyrite. A chemical reaction changes the liquid volume revealing the amount of gas. A separate fyrite can be used for O2 and CO2 measurement.

Contact thermometer : These are thermocouples which measures for example flue gas, hot air, hot water temperatures by insertion of probe into the stream. For surface temperature, a leaf type probe is used with the same instrument.
Infrared Thermometer : This is a non-contact type measurement which when directed at a heat source directly gives the temperature read out. This instrument is useful for measuring hot spots in furnaces, surface temperatures etc.

Air velocity in ducts can be measured using a pitot tube and inclined manometer for further calculation of flows.

In any audit exercise speed measurements are critical as thay may change with frequency, belt slip and loading. A simple tachometer is a contact type instrument which can be used where direct access is possible. More sophisticated and safer ones are non contact instruments such as stroboscopes.

Ultrasonic instruments are available which can be used to detect leaks of compressed air and other gases which are normally not possible to detect with human abilities.

Illumination levels are measured with a lux meter. It consists of a photo cell which senses the light output, converts to electrical impulses which are calibrated as lux.

AC High Voltage Test Set
High Capacity, Low Capacity, Cascaded type, Breakdown Type
AC High Voltage Spark Tester
Power Frequency, High Frequency
AC High Voltage Di-electric Tester
Oil Test Set, Solid Test Set, Impulse Generator
DC High Voltage Test Set
AC High Current
DC Power Supply & Electrical Machine
Insulation Tester, Anodising / Electroplating
AC Power Supply & Electrical Machines

Ambient Gas Detector/ Analyser, Ambient Monitoring Station, Anemometers, Automatic Weather Station, Compressed Air Flow Monitor, Electrical Measuring Instruments, Exhaust Gas Analyser, Manometers & Pitot Tubes, On-line Flue Gas Analysers, Opacity/ SPM Monitors, Portable Flue Gas Analysers, Sound Level/ Vibration Meters, Solid Flow Monitor, Thermometers (Contact & Non- Contact Type), Ultrasonic Flow Meters, Ultrasonic Level Indicator, VOC Analyser, Water Quality Analyers & Special Products