EQ Wave Operations and Maintenance

This guide covers routine operation verification and maintenance procedures for the EQ Wave sensor.

Normal Operation

Expected LED and data status:

  • Both LINK and ACT LEDs solid green
  • EQ Sight shows live voltage and current updating
  • Voltage readings within ±5% of nominal system voltage
  • Current readings reasonable for monitored load
  • Power readings (kW, kVAR, kVA) consistent with load

Startup behavior:

  1. Both red LEDs light when power is applied, and go out within a few seconds
  2. LINK LED turns solid green when fiber optic link is established with endpoint (typically media converter)
  3. ACT LED turns solid green when actively transmitting data
  4. Data appears in EQ Sight shortly after ACT LED is green

The red LEDs report startup progress, so what matters is that they go out. If one or both are still lit a minute after power-on, startup did not finish and the number still lit indicates how far it got. If the LEDs are not solid green or data is not updating in EQ Sight, see the Troubleshooting Guide for the LED reference and diagnostic procedures.

Measurement Verification

Voltage Readings:

  • Should match known system voltages within ±0.5%
  • 3-phase systems: Phases should be balanced within ±2% in symmetrical systems
  • Phase angles approximately 120° apart for 3-phase

Current Readings:

  • Should correlate with monitored load
  • Verify CT polarity: Active power positive for consuming loads, negative for generation
  • Phase angles should align with voltage (near 0° for resistive loads, leading/lagging for reactive loads)

Power Readings:

  • Real power (kW) should match load nameplates and expected consumption
  • Reactive power (kVAR) should correlate with load type (motors, transformers produce reactive power)
  • Power factor should be reasonable for load type (0.9–1.0 for resistive, 0.7–0.9 for inductive)

If Readings Incorrect:

  1. Verify CT ratios configured correctly in gateway
  2. Check CT polarity (reverse if power negative for consuming load)
  3. Verify voltage scaling matches system voltage
  4. Compare with portable reference meter to confirm sensor accuracy
  5. See Configuration Guide for CT ratio and polarity configuration

Routine Operation Checks

Check during facility inspections:

  • LEDs: Both solid green
  • Data: Updating normally in EQ Sight
  • Readings: Consistent with expected load

Frequency: When accessing electrical panel for other maintenance (no dedicated inspection required).

No active monitoring required: The sensor operates continuously without user intervention. EQ Sight can be configured to send alerts if communication is lost or measurements are outside the expected range.

Maintenance Procedures

The EQ Wave sensor is a solid-state device with no moving parts, batteries, or user-serviceable components. Maintenance requirements are minimal.

Fiber Optic Connection Care

Normal Operation:

  • When disconnecting POF cable, install red dust cover on OptoLock® connector to prevent contamination
  • No routine fiber cleaning is necessary

Troubleshooting Only: If optical link fails after all other troubleshooting (LEDs not solid green):

  1. De-energize sensor per lockout/tagout procedures
  2. Disconnect POF cable from OptoLock connector
  3. Inspect fiber ends for contamination or wear
  4. If contamination suspected: Blow out OptoLock connector with low-pressure dry compressed air
  5. If fiber ends worn or damaged: Re-cut fiber ends using POF cutting tool (clean perpendicular cut required)
  6. Reconnect cable ensuring full insertion into OptoLock receptacle
  7. Install red dust cover when connector not in use
  8. Re-energize and verify LINK LED turns solid green once fiber is connected and ACT LED turns solid green when data transfer resumes

Note: Fiber optic connection issues are rare. If problems persist, see Troubleshooting Guide.

Terminal Connection Inspection

When required: During annual facility electrical inspection.

Procedure:

  1. De-energize circuits per lockout/tagout procedures
  2. Visually inspect all push-in connectors for:
    • Corrosion or oxidation
    • Signs of overheating (discoloration)
    • Wire insulation degradation
  3. Verify all green visual indicators are extended (wire fully seated)
  4. Replace any degraded wiring
  5. Re-energize and verify normal operation (LEDs solid green, data updating in EQ Sight)

Frequency: Annually or per facility maintenance schedule.

Mounting Hardware Verification

3M Dual Lock Adhesive:

  • Inspect adhesive bond for peeling or degradation
  • Verify sensor remains securely attached
  • If bond fails: Clean surface with isopropyl alcohol and apply new adhesive strips

DIN Rail Clips:

  • Verify clips fully engaged on rail
  • Ensure sensor does not move when pulled downward
  • If loose: Remove and re-install clips

Magnetic Mount:

  • Verify magnets hold sensor firmly to mounting surface
  • Check for corrosion between magnet and surface
  • Ensure sensor does not slide when subjected to normal vibration

Frequency: Annually or if sensor subjected to unusual vibration or mechanical shock.

Firmware Updates

v1 Devices: Require return to factory for firmware updates. Contact support@eq.systems to initiate RMA process. Typical turnaround: 7–10 business days.

Update Notifications: Firmware updates distributed via email to registered users. Updates are optional unless addressing security vulnerabilities or critical issues.

Device Service Life and Replacement

Expected Service Life: 10 years at a 30 °C average ambient, halving for every 10 °C above it. Life is set by ambient temperature, so it is the average the sensor sees over the year that matters, not the peak — a cabinet that runs warm shortens it, and one that runs cool extends it.

Design and Components:

  • Solid-state design with no moving parts or wear mechanisms
  • The energy-storage components — supercapacitors, and the electrolytic capacitors in the AC/DC supply if AC powered — are what set the figure above. Their life is temperature-driven and halves per 10 °C
  • All other components are solid-state electronics with indefinite service life under normal conditions

Replace sensor if:

  • Physical damage to enclosure or terminals
  • Lightning strike or electrical surge damage
  • LEDs remain red or off after power cycling
  • Measurements drift beyond acceptable limits (verify with known reference first)
  • Roughly 10 years of continuous operation at a 30 °C average ambient — sooner if it has run warmer, later if cooler (see Expected Service Life above)

Replacement procedure: See Installation Guide for new sensor installation. Existing wiring and fiber optic cable can typically be reused.

Calibration

EQ Wave v1 uses theoretical scaling ratios for voltage and current measurement. No per-unit factory calibration is performed. The ADC and analog front-end provide high intrinsic accuracy (see the EQ Wave v1 Datasheet (PDF)), so theoretical ratios are sufficient for most applications.

Verification: Compare sensor readings with a portable reference meter annually or per facility requirements.

If readings are outside expected accuracy:

  1. Verify correct CT ratios and voltage scaling are configured
  2. Verify voltage and current sensor connections
  3. Check for loose terminal connections
  4. Compare with multiple reference instruments to rule out reference meter error
  5. Contact support@eq.systems if sensor fault is suspected

For environmental and mechanical specifications (operating temperature, enclosure, mounting, weight), see the EQ Wave v1 Datasheet (PDF). For environment-related troubleshooting, see the Troubleshooting Guide.


© 2026 EQ Systems Inc. • support@eq.systems • (415) 562–5251 • Updated March 2026