Power Monitoring

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networkn

Networkn
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#214823 30-May-2017 12:45

Hi There!

Wondering on a 2 prong approach to power monitoring.

1) A total house power consumption monitor, ideally with a smartphone app, or some sort of online analysis tool.

2) A localized power monitor, that I can plug in 1-3 devices and see what consumption at standby and during activity, also ideally with some sort of smartphone/analysis solution.

Can anyone recommend something?

davidcole

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#1791732 30-May-2017 13:23

Some of the smart devices have localised power monitoring.

https://www.amazon.com/Aeotec-Aeon-Labs-DSC11-Sockets/dp/B00H3RL6JW

Unfortunately being zwave, it's not on our AU/NZ frequencies.....and you can't get them here without a large run.

I'm sure I saw someone talking about a http://bit.ly/2qvSwa3 (gear best) type thing. But who knows if you'd trust it.

Failing that wemo have the individual ones that for the cost to the aeotec if it ever got here, would still work out cheaper.

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#1791738 30-May-2017 13:42

There are a few threads on this. All in all it's either difficult, expensive, or time consuming to set up. I got a smart meter, I can make good enough guesses with that, and I have a plug in meter that works ok.

MikeAqua

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#1791740 30-May-2017 13:50

We have a few plug in meters. Good for seeing if a fridge or something is using shed loads of power.

Mike

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#1791744 30-May-2017 13:53

MikeAqua:

We have a few plug in meters. Good for seeing if a fridge or something is using shed loads of power.

Wouldn't it be relatively static? Or does it fluctuate when it's actively cooling or not?

networkn

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#1791764 30-May-2017 14:25

Amazing. I'd imagine the market for a solution like this would be reasonable.

You could do it with bluetooth and NFC, and have the device keep information for say 30 days, then have the app work out what had already been uploaded, merge the data that hadn't and a nice console UI.

mattrix

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#1791782 30-May-2017 14:55

You can make your own for about $10 USD.

WeMos D1 Mini + SCT-013-000

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

MikeAqua

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#1791789 30-May-2017 15:09

davidcole:

MikeAqua:

We have a few plug in meters. Good for seeing if a fridge or something is using shed loads of power.

Wouldn't it be relatively static? Or does it fluctuate when it's actively cooling or not?

They only give total power use for period or mean hourly use. Nothing sophisticated like range or standard deviation. Good to identify where your power consumption is - fridge, heaters etc and then you can decide if you need to take action. In our case we figured out an old fridge was guzzling power and we were able to get it fixed. Also able to prove to argumentative teenage boy just how much power his computer used in so called 'standby'.

Mike

networkn

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#1791790 30-May-2017 15:12

MikeAqua:

davidcole:

MikeAqua:

We have a few plug in meters. Good for seeing if a fridge or something is using shed loads of power.

Wouldn't it be relatively static? Or does it fluctuate when it's actively cooling or not?

They only give total power use for period or mean hourly use. Nothing sophisticated like range or standard deviation. Good to identify where your power consumption is - fridge, heaters etc and then you can decide if you need to take action. In our case we figured out an old fridge was guzzling power and we were able to get it fixed. Also able to prove to argumentative teenage boy just how much power his computer used in so called 'standby'.

When our kids argue, we connect them to the mains, we find it makes them much quieter after that. :)

ubergeeknz

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#1791792 30-May-2017 15:18

I have a system from SmartNow. It does the things you're after and meets the relevant NZ standards.

http://www.smartnow.com.au/

networkn

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#1791803 30-May-2017 15:23

ubergeeknz:

I have a system from SmartNow. It does the things you're after and meets the relevant NZ standards.

http://www.smartnow.com.au/

That looks good. Would the Gateway Solution + 3 Pack of Individuals cover me or do I need other things? what is the sender solution transmitting over? Wifi?

ubergeeknz

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#1791812 30-May-2017 15:30

That's all you need... it uses 433Mhz or something. The clamp just goes around the active wire in your meter box (by an electrician). Has proven reliable for us for about 2 years now, they only just changed to energomonitor (the old site was not nearly as good looking) so I'd check that out to make sure it does everything you want, I think you can demo it from their website.

I think for the energomonitor site you need to pay 20Euro a year for an extra 30 devices or something, to cover your "IAM"s. For just the one monitor (on your mains supply) it is free. HTH.

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MikeAqua

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#1791822 30-May-2017 15:40

networkn:

MikeAqua:

davidcole:

MikeAqua:

We have a few plug in meters. Good for seeing if a fridge or something is using shed loads of power.

Wouldn't it be relatively static? Or does it fluctuate when it's actively cooling or not?

They only give total power use for period or mean hourly use. Nothing sophisticated like range or standard deviation. Good to identify where your power consumption is - fridge, heaters etc and then you can decide if you need to take action. In our case we figured out an old fridge was guzzling power and we were able to get it fixed. Also able to prove to argumentative teenage boy just how much power his computer used in so called 'standby'.

When our kids argue, we connect them to the mains, we find it makes them much quieter after that. :)

I was in favour of percussive therapy but was over-ruled.

Mike