Residental metering
Residental metering
(OP)
Is there an easy way to rig up a circuit for a building to indicate power consumption from the outside meter? Could I use metering CT's? I would like to see the cost of the power consumption by a display that reacts like the outside meter?






RE: Residental metering
1. CTs are often used for services sized 400A and up on a low voltage power distribution system.
2. PTs will have to be added on any medium voltage distribution system, e.g. 4160V.
3. Once you obtain current and voltage suitable for any power/energy signal processing, it will just depend on your preferences regarding metering/revenue meters, manufacturer, price you will be willing to pay, etc.
4. Visit http://www.thomasregister.com
and type "Meters: Electric, watt hour" under Product / Service that will return six companies to inquire about the product further.
RE: Residental metering
Depending on the voltage, you may need potential transformers also and I don't know what the currents are but if you need CT's they should be meter quality.
As far as the meter, there are a host of electronic packages available, it depends on how much info you need. If you are going to the expense of PT's & CT's, you might as well want to look at power factor, peak demand, harmonics, etc.
RE: Residental metering
Outside of this, metering components from someone like hialeahmeter.com could potentially be installed by a qualified electrician. Figure a bare-minimum starting material cost of $200.
You might do an internet search for ‘submetering’ or ‘electric submetering.’
RE: Residental metering
You will be installing your own separate metering equipment. This will be dependent on these 3 considerations and of course your budget. You do not need to hardwire the utility meter - this will be against the utility company rules and besides, utility meters are sealed or tamper-proof.
There are a number of metering types from the bulky ones to digital ones. As to what type depends on the 1), above - size of incoming mains, 2)main disconnecting means or panel - where to mount the CT's and/or PT's and what size in amperes for the CT ratio, 3)the construction/installation of 1) & 2) to determine where you will mount the meter itself and the parameters you wanted to monitor.
As for a meter where you want to directly read the COST of energy consumption, I'm not quite sure if there is a stand-alone unit of this type. There are units that read almost all parameters including THD's - but they are only part of a power management system (usually PC based) which is used in large installations such as commercial/high-rise buildings, etc.
For your comfort, as-built drawings with ratings are far better to discuss with. You may consult an electrical engineer friend with a hard copy of your existing installation. Also, you may give us further information with details you feel necessary.
RE: Residental metering
Thanks,
Mark
RE: Residental metering
RE: Residental metering
go with busbar on this one. most utility meters have volt free contact which will pulse so many times per unit consumed. (water steam elec,gas etc). run this into you r "gyzmo" and magic!! an indicator.
An alternative suggestion if the utility wants too much $$$$.
try getting a cheap ammeter and ct. get your friendly sparky mate to put the ct in your board and rescale the meter in say $ or cents.
The instalation is single phase the volts are relatively fixed and the pf may drift a bit but you want to know when the bill is going off the planet not cahse down 10% true.
Total cost this idea say $50 Aus ($25 US) excluding family sparky.
Let us know how it goes
Don
ps Imentioned it the other day in another thread. A recent survey here (Australia) indicated that about 30% of the domestic power bill is from appliances in "standby mode".TVs computers phone thingos just have a look ~ its scary really
RE: Residental metering
Plus everyone should have a friendly sparky mate!
Knowing a good welder and machinist helps too.
-Dan76