Smart energy meter

[cheerio]

I want to analyze my power consumption without telling my energy provider anything about it. So it is time to do it myself.

Status: nothing yet

Plan:
Use 1 Wattmeter on each phase supplying me with power.
Read them over the S0 connector and log it on a SDCard.
Present it on an embedded webserver.

Timeplan:
I want to finish it this year, but it is low priority.



If you got suggestions or did this already i am happy to read your posts

[kam]

COOL project, and this is something that i will make in the near future (not this year though). I've done some research. You can use current transformers for this project.

A current transformer is a device like a small donut with 2 wires. The phase wire goes through the center of the transformer, and no galvanic connection is required. The output of the transformer can be used to determine the amount of current that flows through the phase wire. The power is indirectly measured (P=VxI). A current transformer usually costs around 50 euro, but is easy to use because the project is completely isolated by the mains power.

[cheerio]

COOL project, and this is something that i will make in the near future (not this year though). I've done some research. You can use current transformers for this project.

A current transformer is a device like a small donut with 2 wires. The phase wire goes through the center of the transformer, and no galvanic connection is required. The output of the transformer can be used to determine the amount of current that flows through the phase wire. The power is indirectly measured (P=VxI). A current transformer usually costs around 50 euro, but is easy to use because the project is completely isolated by the mains power.

I also thought about this. But a Wattmeter costs about 20€ and is more accurate. There is also no need for ADC as you only have to count pulses on the S0 connector.

Those current Transformers will be used in my water management system project to check whether a pump is working normal(problems will probably change the current consumption).

[kam]

what is a wattmeter    can you send me a link?

[cheerio]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wattmeter
http://cgi.ebay.de/DIGITAL-WATTMETER-ENERGY-METER-DIN-RAIL-MOUNT-kW-AC-ZD1-/120737702727?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item1c1c872347

[_pike]

look at the price (in Greece at least).....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.energeia.gr/products.php?catalog=2&cat=14&subcat=94&grp=64&sup=41

[cheerio]

look at the price (in Greece at least).....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.energeia.gr/products.php?catalog=2&cat=14&subcat=94&grp=64&sup=41

those are
1. extremely expensive O_O
2. not a good option for this project due the lack of the S0 interface

[bob]

Hi there ,
you may consider this. I have installed two of these, one monitors my refrigerator's power  usage and the other microwave oven's. The accuracy is very good, as you can see the specs are excellent for a home made kit and you get to do a PIC project. All supplied, instructions, software, programed PIC and all components and fitted in a robust box. What you need a good soldering skills and you have an instrument for life.Portable, you may have to replace the plug and socket as used in your country.   


http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=K4600

[cheerio]

Thank you for the info
But i do not want a ready to solder kit. I do all my projects to learn more stuff and i want to understand every single bit of the circuits i use.
Actually i am confident that i can build a smart energy meter ~100€ that has an embedded web server for interaction. This kit does not have a web server as far as i see.

[kam]

Actually i am confident that i can build a smart energy meter ~100€ that has an embedded web server for interaction. This kit does not have a web server as far as i see.

Speaking of web-server, i got some weeks ago a very cheap one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ENC28J60-Module-LAN-Ethernet-Arduino-AVR-PIC-MCUs-/140575308654?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20baf0fb6e

there is also auction for this. I won one for like 5$ or so. i have not test it yet. So it IS possible to make what you want for under $100.

[cheerio]

pretty cool