Machine Trip and Reset Loggers
Use this guide when equipment trips, resets, locks out, drops out or behaves unpredictably and you need recorded electrical proof rather than spot readings.
Intermittent machine faults are often missed during a site visit. A logger can show whether the fault lines up with voltage dips, interruptions, high or low voltage, phase imbalance, load changes or power-quality behaviour.
When to investigate machines tripping or resets
- Machines, drives, controls, PLCs, UPS systems or protection devices reset unexpectedly.
- Equipment trips but the supply looks normal when checked later.
- Operators report flicker, nuisance trips, lockouts or unexplained process stops.
- You need proof before replacing equipment, calling a supplier or changing protection settings.
- You need to compare electrical behaviour before, during and after a fault.
What to measure
- Supply voltage before and during the fault.
- Voltage dips, rises, interruptions and long-term variation.
- Phase voltages on three-phase equipment.
- Where needed, current, load profile, power factor and phase loading at the same time as voltage.
- The date and time of events so they can be compared with machine logs or operator reports.
Recommended loggers
EC-7VAR-RS: Electrocorder EC-7VAR-RS Three Phase Voltage, Current & Power Factor Recorder
Use when a machine fault may involve voltage, current, power factor, load changes or phase imbalance together.
EC-3V: Electrocorder EC-3V Three Phase Voltage Recorder
Use for three-phase voltage monitoring when trips or resets may be linked to supply dips, rises or imbalance.
SL-3V: Electrocorder SL-3V Compact Three Phase Voltage Recorder
Use where compact three-phase voltage recording is useful for panels, cabinets or limited installation space.
EC-2V: Electrocorder EC-2V Voltage Logger
Use for single-phase live-neutral and earth-neutral voltage comparison around equipment resets or control faults.
Quick comparison
Use this table as a quick route from the investigation type to the most likely logger.
| Product | Best for | Measures | Choose when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faults that may involve voltage, current, power factor, load changes or phase imbalance together. | Voltage, current, power, energy and power factor. | Use when the cause is not yet clear and broad proof is needed. | |
| Three-phase equipment trips where supply voltage behaviour is the main suspect. | Three-phase voltage. | Use to check dips, high/low voltage, phase loss or voltage variation. | |
| Single-phase equipment issues where neutral or earth-neutral behaviour may be relevant. | Two voltage channels. | Use for single-phase machines or equipment with unexplained resets. |
How to choose
- Choose EC-7VAR-RS when the fault may involve voltage and current together, or when load, power factor or phase behaviour may be part of the problem.
- Choose EC-3V or SL-3V when the main question is three-phase voltage behaviour.
- Choose EC-2V for single-phase equipment where live-neutral and earth-neutral comparison may help.
Typical investigation workflow
- Record the symptoms, affected equipment and approximate fault times.
- Select a logger based on supply type, whether current is needed and how often the fault occurs.
- Leave the logger installed long enough to capture normal operation and at least one event where possible.
- Compare recorded electrical events with machine logs, operator notes, BMS data or protection trips.
- Use the proof to decide whether the issue is supply-related, load-related, site-wiring related or internal to the equipment.
Useful reading
- Machines Tripping or Resetting
- Machines or Equipment Resetting
- Normal Daily Voltage Variations
- Voltage Optimisation
- Voltage Problem Loggers
- Products by Use: machines tripping, resetting or behaving intermittently
Need help choosing?
If you are not sure which logger is best for an intermittent machine fault, contact us with the supply type, symptoms, machine type and whether current as well as voltage needs to be recorded.