[ale] [OT]Energy usage tracking

[Geoffrey]

Atlanta Geek wrote:
> After reading this and doing a little research I found this project.
> http://www.instructables.com/id/Real_time_Web_Based_Household_Power_Usage_Monitor/
> 
> I dont know if I am going to do this yet.  They really made me fearful
> of taking that circuit breaker box off and My wife keeps talking about
> my minimal life insurance policy. But still it is interesting.

Increase the life insurance and go for it. ;)

> 
> On Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 1:48 PM, Mike Harrison <meuon at geeklabs.com> wrote:
>>> (http://www.envirogadget.com/computer-gadgets/energy-usage-tracking-the-energy-detective/)
>>> that lets you track your energy usage and store it on the computer.  I
>> Disclaimer:  http://www.utilijoule.com  is one of my entities.
>>
>> The TED is a good home unit, not sure what the interface/export
>> capabilities are.
>>
>> Most of the meters like that on the market are actually
>> readable via ModBus or ModBus over TCPIP. Some are DNP/DNP3.
>>
>> I met the people behind EcoDog (http://www.ecodoginc.com) last week
>> in San Diego at a trade show (Distributech) and I really liked the people.
>> It's a startup and he is using LonTalk, a power line carrier technology.
>> Still, he's doing it, as a fellow techie, send them an email
>> and offer to be a beta. :)
>>
>> The killer for many of these for non-geeks is opening up your
>> circuit breaker panel and putting "CT's" aka Current Transformers
>> around the wires coming off the breaker. On the high end, some
>> people actually make circuit breakers that can provide readings.
>>
>> When we do a Joule install, typically in the .5+ MegaWatt
>> customer range, it takes a team effort including the utilities,
>> electricians in flash suits and some serious equipment.
>>
>> For the home installs.. most people still won't play in a breaker panel,
>> and PLEASE if you do, kill the power upstream first. Lock it out/off.
>>
>> On the cheaper, light commercial and larger home needs, Veris
>> http://www.veris.com/subcategory.asp?idMainCategory=45&idCategory=45
>> Makes some nice gear, with good prices for high quality CT's
>> matched/calibrated to a meter from the factory.
>>
>> There are a bunch of others out there as well.. but that's off the top of
>> my head.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Ale mailing list
>> Ale at ale.org
>> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>>
> 
> 
> 


-- 
Until later, Geoffrey

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little
temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
  - Benjamin Franklin