Transient Capture vs. Waveform Capture

Understand the similarities and differences between transient and waveform capture, plus be able to identify best practices for each.

Transient and waveform capture are both triggered by changes in voltage or current, and both record a time series of raw data samples. However, they are used for different purposes, and capture different types of events.

Transient capture in the Revolution is essential if impulsive, high-voltage events must be recorded and accurately measured. Although waveform capture data can indicate a possible transient problem, high-speed sampling is needed to see the true voltage peak.

On the other hand, waveform capture samples at a rate more suitable for the much more common, wide variety of disturbances found at a slower, but still sub-cycle timescale.

Insulation breakdown, ringing, notching, and other events have characteristic waveform shapes identifiable in the graph, and are better triggered with the waveform mechanisms than with the transient peak-voltage method.

Be sure to check both transient and waveform capture for important clues in each power quality investigation.

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