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Single Device Clip on Energy Meter

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  • 06-09-2015 3:31pm
    #1
    di11on
    Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭


    Hi folks,

    Devices that allow you to measure the energy usage of a single devices typically take the form of a device you plug into an electrical outlet.

    Does anyone know of a device for measuring the energy usage of a single device that uses a clip on current transducer? These things exist for measuring total mains usage and are normally part of a monitoring system but I haven't come across one to measure the usage of a single device.

    For info, I want to use such a device for measuring usage of fixed appliances like heaters etc. where there isn't a plug.

    Has anyone come across something close to what I'm looking for?


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    #2
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    di11on wrote: »
    Hi folks,

    Devices that allow you to measure the energy usage of a single devices typically take the form of a device you plug into an electrical outlet.

    Does anyone know of a device for measuring the energy usage of a single device that uses a clip on current transducer? These things exist for measuring total mains usage and are normally part of a monitoring system but I haven't come across one to measure the usage of a single device.

    For info, I want to use such a device for measuring usage of fixed appliances like heaters etc. where there isn't a plug.

    Has anyone come across something close to what I'm looking for?

    Simple solutions:
    1) Read the name plate on the device.

    2) Read the data sheet for the device.

    3) Use a grip on ammeter to measure the current drawn by the device.


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    #3
    di11on
    Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭di11on


    2011 wrote: »
    Simple solutions:
    1) Read the name plate on the device.

    2) Read the data sheet for the device.

    3) Use a grip on ammeter to measure the current drawn by the device.

    And stand by it for 24 hours and numerically integrate?

    Edit: Problem is for things like heaters, the current won't be constant


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    #4
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    di11on wrote: »
    And stand by it for 24 hours and numerically integrate?

    If you know the duty cycle would be easier to take a single reading and calculate it.


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    #5
    di11on
    Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭di11on


    2011 wrote: »
    If you know the duty cycle would be easier to take a single reading and calculate it.

    For a heater controlled by a thermostat I won't know that, the duty cycle won't be fixed


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    #6
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    You'd have to separate the cores to use a clamp meter anyways. An inline watt-hour meter is the only way to do it as far as I know. You could integrate one into a plugboard. Easy enough put a plug and socket on an appliance. Or if you get a qualified acronym...downstream of the MCB for the load in question.
    The CTs aren't so accurate anyways they approximate the voltage and are susceptible to interference.
    I rarely find an appliance's plug rating to be remotely accurate.


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    #7
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    di11on wrote: »
    For a heater controlled by a thermostat I won't know that, the duty cycle won't be fixed

    Are you trying to calculate the cost of electricity heating a room over a 24 hour period?


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    #8
    di11on
    Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭di11on


    2011 wrote: »
    Are you trying to calculate the cost of electricity heating a room over a 24 hour period?

    That's one application I had in mind - but I also want to be able to measure energy consumption over a period for any load in the house but mostly heaters and an air conditioning unit (I don't live in Ireland :-) )


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    #9
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    di11on wrote: »
    That's one application I had in mind - but I also want to be able to measure energy consumption over a period for any load in the house but mostly heaters and an air conditioning unit (I don't live in Ireland :-) )

    Buy a few Owl energy meters then. Install one on each load. This will provide a reasonable approximation.
    As I am sure you know the cost of heating or cooling will vary with the weather.


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    #10
    di11on
    Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭di11on


    2011 wrote: »
    Buy a few Owl energy meters then. Install one on each load. This will provide a reasonable approximation.
    As I am sure you know the cost of heating or cooling will vary with the weather.

    Not a bad idea - but seems a little like overkill... that monitor seems to have a lot of functionality I don't need.


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