Electronic – the difference between a crest reading volt meter and a peak reading volt meter

voltage measurement

We are measuring pulse DC voltage up to 35K on Tinker & Rasor high voltage holiday meters for checking the thickness of coating applications.

I would like to check our units each time they go out between calibration cycles. We need a peak reading volt meter but have a crest reading volt meter. how do they differ and will the crest reading volt meter give me a correct reading?

Thanks Gene

  • The Tinker & Rasor Model APS High Voltage Holiday Detector supplies 800V to 35 kV in one instrument with two ranges: high range of 3,500V to 35,000V, an low range of 800V to 8,000V. Typical applications are checking coatings on pipelines and other coated structures, tanks, concrete, sewers, and manholes.

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Also here.

Best Answer

Solution Summary:

  • The term Crest and Peak seem to be used interchangeably both by learned bodies [tm] such as ASTM and IEEE and by some Holiday Meter tester manufacturers. While it may seem obvious that "crest" and "peak" are synonyms, the discussions re waveform and risetimes make this not 100% certain. But ...

  • Some HM test manufacturers actually state that they perform Crest voltage testing.

  • If there is a difference it is subtle, but even if it is not solely a matter of terminology, it is clear from the literature available that use of a crest detecting meter will achieve your aims when used consistently.

For the inquiring minds that want to know [tm]. According to ASTM (who should know)

  • A "holiday" is a small fault or pinhole that permits current drainage through protective coatings on steel pipe or polymeric precoated corrugated steel pipe.

  • A "holiday detector" is a highly sensitive electrical device designed to locate holidays such as pinholes, voids, and thin spots in the coating, not easily seen by the naked eye. These are used on the coatings of relatively high-electrical resistance when such coatings are applied to the surface of materials of low-electrical resistance, such as steel pipe.

This is based on what the net tells me:

This document Standard Test Methods for Holiday Detection in Pipeline Coatings - ASTM, Designation: G 62 – 87 (Reapproved 1998) provides a brief (3 page) but succinct description of the procedures to be carried out for holiday testing pipeline coatings. You can expect some procedural differences between pipes and general surfaces but the same principles apply. Also 1990 version

The document os old but what it says seems to be basically unchanged and knowing it exists should allow nwer versions to be located.

The document uses the terms peak and crest 3 times, each, always together and always interchangeably. viz

  • 6.3 Peak or Crest Reading Voltmeter—A kilovoltmeter capable of detecting a single pulse and holding it long enough for the meter circuits to indicate.

  • footnote 4: The sole source of supply of a suitable peak or crest reading voltmeter known to the committee at this time is Itt-Jenning ...

  • 9.1 The instruments shall be standardized with respect to voltage output in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, using a peak or crest reading voltmeter. This is used more commonly with Method B where voltage may vary from test to test but can also be used for verification of the voltage on a Method A test.

This SPY Jeepmeter Holiday Meter tester document says

  • The SPY JeepMeter series of Crest voltmeters are instruments designed to provide accurate and reliable measuring of the crest value of high voltage non-sinusoidal waveforms. The output waveform of holiday detectors typically has this type of shape and therefore prevents the use of conventional RMS voltmeters

This interesting IEEE document IEEE Standard Requirements for Instrument Transformer uses the terms Crest and Peak interchangeably - sometimes in the same paragraph. eg page 74

  • a) Measure the crest open-circuit secondary voltage, V1 [see part a) of Figure 31], using a high-impedance crest reading voltmeter, oscilloscope, or calibrated gap. Increase the primary current gradually from zero to the maximum continuous-current rating or until the crest voltage reaches 3500 V, whichever occurs first. Maintain the primary current for 1 min, and record the magnitude of the peak voltage. If 3500 V crest is not exceeded by this test, then the information in item b) should be followed

Page 44 - 45 here is very relevant:
EVALUATION OF CIVIL WORKS METAL STRUCTURES

Jeep Holiday meter tester

Several HMs

More

HM testers - Jeep

If there IS a difference, which is not certain given the above, it's not obvious what "crest meter" is meant to imply in the current context. Can you provide instrument brand and model. The term "crest" is notably absent from discussions of holiday meter testers by people such as jeep, who use the term "peak", but this does not mean that they are or aren't synonymous.

From a quick skim through the available internet material I'd say that consistency of test method is as or more important than instrument used. It should be easy enough to trial your crest meter in a range of situations and see if its reading seems to reflect your expectations.

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