Power consumption measurement in Ultrasonic generator device?

Question

i'm using an ultrasonic generator and a probe to apply ultrasonic vibrations on particles in water but i want to find out how much is the power which is going into the fluid not the nominal power which is written on the device so could you please help me and let me know how can i do this using a current meter and volt meter that i have?!!

Answer 1

Connect the voltmeter across the probe wires (positive and ground). This gives you the voltage. Put the current meter on the probe wire and measure the current. Then use power (Watts) = voltage (Volts) X current (Amps).

If the current changes over time, take multiple samples for a time period then workout the average and use this value in the equation.

Before doing this just check that the probe does carry an electrical current because I don't know how an ultrasonic generator works. If it doesn't then ignore this and scrap the idea of using a voltmeter and a current meter to measure the power cosumption.

Answer 2

Actually you ask for 2 different things, which do you want? First you ask for power consumption, which you can get by measuring input voltage and current. Then you want power going into the fluid, which is a totally different number, and smaller than the first.

The only way I know to measure power delivered into the fluid is thermally. Use a well insulated sealed container, and run it for a fixed number of minutes and measure the temperature rise. That number and the weight of the water will give you the energy, and combining that with the time will give you the power.