[Bldg-sim] Electric sub-meter

[Mark Nieman]

Cypress Envirosystems is moving in this direction. They have a wireless
gauge reader that is indeed a camera that reads the needle for you. This
is for pressure gauges, but it seems like it might be adaptable to other
types. Here's their web site:

http://www.cypressenvirosystems.com/ 


Mark Nieman, PE, CEM | McKinstry | Sr. Energy Engineer
d 206.832.8152 | m 206.510.4760 | f 206.832.8552
FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR BUILDING

-----Original Message-----
From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Chris Yates
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 2:43 AM
To: Cramer Silkworth
Cc: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] Electric sub-meter

I've been trying to think of a "cheap" option for logging legacy meters
(i.e. those with no inherent logging). My concept was to use a wireless
CCTV network to take "stills" at set time intervals from the meter.
Issues to think about:
- Even a cheap setup with 2 x cameras will cost $200 + then there's the
network cost (a cheap laptop perhaps)
- Processing the stills could be time consuming. However, a clever
person with some scripting knowledge and OCR software could speed things
up. Or, using a junior could render the stills into a useful spreadsheet
format at minimal cost.
- Picture quality - if the cameras use their own lamp it is likely to
glare. This could be overcome with a polarising filter perhaps.
- The range of inputs is limited to those displayed on the meter itself

The reason for investigating this is because calibrated energy models
are becoming more popular on older buildings as a means of identifying
potential energy savings.

Cramer Silkworth wrote:
> Abaza,
>
> The 'kill-a-watt' is probably the cheapest household wattmeter out 
> there, 
> http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4400-Electricity-Monitor/dp/B0
> 0009MDBU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1240766534&sr=8-1
>
> but it doesn't record hourly info, just current wattage, voltage, etc,
and total kWh used since it was plugged in. and no memory - if it loses
power, it's gone.
>
> somewhat fancier is the 'watts up', 
> http://cableorganizer.com/electricity-power-meter/
> with the better models having memory and even internet connectivity.
>
> fancier yet are some whole-house models like: 
> http://www.bluelineinnovations.com/
>
> hope that helps,
> cramer
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Abaza Hussein <ahussein at spsu.edu>
> Sent: Sun, 4/26/2009 12:29am
> To: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
> Subject: [Bldg-sim] Electric sub-meter
>
> Could any one help in recommending a multi circuit sub-meter to
monitor energy consumption in houses. and also low-cost submeters to
monitor the HVAC compressor electric consumption (since I need many of
them).
> Thank you
> H. Abaza
> SPSU
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