[Bldg-sim] Electric sub-meter

Bishop, Bill bbishop at PathfinderEngineers.com
Thu Apr 30 07:55:38 PDT 2009


I forwarded the electric sub-meter discussion to The Energy Detective.
They produce low-cost data-loggers with wireless displays specifically
for home use and other buildings with one or two circuit panels 200 amps
or less. Here is their reply:

Hi Bill,
In reading the email chain, it does seem that TED with Footprints is
exactly what they are looking for, as it will log energy-usage data
every second.  You also have the ability to profile any load (greater
than 1kW), so that you could see WHEN the HVAC ran, HOW LONG it ran, and
WHAT IT COST to run.
We will also be introducing a new model of TED in the next couple of
weeks...TED 5000.  This model of TED will have a built-in web server and
a wireless display.  We'll be publishing specs/pricing late next week or
beginning of following....so please check for updates.
Thanks very much for your inquiry....please let us know if there are any
specific questions.

Best regards,
TED Support
www.theenergydetective.com 


William Bishop, EIT, LEED(r) AP | Pathfinder Engineers LLP
Mechanical Engineer
 
134 South Fitzhugh Street
Rochester, NY 14608
T: (585) 325-6004 Ext. 114
F: (585) 325-6005
bbishop at pathfinderengineers.com
 
www.pathfinderengineers.com
P Please strive to live sustainably.

-----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 5:43 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/B000
09MDBU/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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