Power Measuring Methods - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

Suds · 6th March 2008, 10:10 AM

Hi

I'm working on a design project that requires the measurement of power usage in a home. The PC is used to display a log of this. What I would really appreciate is if someone could give me a brief idea of how many methods there are of actually measuring the power.

I found out that one could use a current transducer at the mains or count the number of times the meter needle spins. Which of these will be easier to implement? And what are the drawbacks?

Thanks

**Nigel Goodwin** · 6th March 2008, 10:13 AM

Assuming the idea is to monitor your actual costs?, then the meter spinning is the only way to do it - that way you're actually monitoring what you're going to get charged.

If you want to monitor power consumption?, check EPE, they did a two channel PIC based monitor the other year, which used a special monitoring and multipying chip.

Suds · 6th March 2008, 11:24 AM

Thanks Nigel, how can I get hold of EPE?

**Nigel Goodwin** · 6th March 2008, 11:29 AM

It's a UK magazine http://www.epemag.co.uk/

Bob Scott · 6th March 2008, 01:55 PM

EPE has forums:

http://www.chatzones.co.uk/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi

Suds · 7th March 2008, 05:53 AM

Thanks Nigel and Scott

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6th March 2008, 10:10 AM	(permalink)
Suds	Power Measuring Methods Hi I'm working on a design project that requires the measurement of power usage in a home. The PC is used to display a log of this. What I would really appreciate is if someone could give me a brief idea of how many methods there are of actually measuring the power. I found out that one could use a current transducer at the mains or count the number of times the meter needle spins. Which of these will be easier to implement? And what are the drawbacks? Thanks

6th March 2008, 10:13 AM	(permalink)
Nigel Goodwin	Assuming the idea is to monitor your actual costs?, then the meter spinning is the only way to do it - that way you're actually monitoring what you're going to get charged. If you want to monitor power consumption?, check EPE, they did a two channel PIC based monitor the other year, which used a special monitoring and multipying chip. __________________ PIC programmer software, and PIC Tutorials at: http://www.winpicprog.co.uk

6th March 2008, 11:24 AM	(permalink)
Suds	Thanks Nigel, how can I get hold of EPE?

6th March 2008, 11:29 AM	(permalink)
Nigel Goodwin	It's a UK magazine http://www.epemag.co.uk/ __________________ PIC programmer software, and PIC Tutorials at: http://www.winpicprog.co.uk

6th March 2008, 01:55 PM	(permalink)
Bob Scott	EPE has forums: http://www.chatzones.co.uk/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi

7th March 2008, 05:53 AM	(permalink)
Suds	Thanks Nigel and Scott