Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!emory!stiatl!rsiatl!jgd From: jgd@rsiatl.UUCP (John G. De Armond) Newsgroups: sci.electronics Subject: Re: Watt Hour Meters Message-ID: <1073@rsiatl.UUCP> Date: 7 Jan 90 07:35:44 GMT References: Reply-To: jgd@rsiatl.UUCP (John G. De Armond) Distribution: usa Organization: Radiation Systems, Inc. (a thinktank, motorcycle, car and gun works facility) Lines: 31 In article mark@retix.retix.retix.com (Mark Hoy) writes: >Is there a <$30 meter that will monitor an appliances power usage? I >would like to know how much energy is being used by a couple of >fridges, aquariums, etc. I am willing to build the thing if >necessary, (but only if it's relatively simple). Regular watt-hour meters such as used in your house entrance don't cost much more than this. Figure on paying between 50 and 70 bux. You could try contacting your utility meter department. They may sell you one. If not, you can buy them from the vendors (Westinghouse, GE, Saganaw, Japan Inc.) directly, though at a bit higher cost. I bought mine directly from my utility. I mounted it in a meter base attached to a wooden frame of appropriate dimentions to keep it level. An outlet box is also supplied. To make the kind of measurement you want, a mechanical watt-hour meter is hard to beat over the long run. A long history of experience, regulatory concern, and good design makes your humble little power meter very accurate. Overall accuracy of 2% at low wattage and 1% at high are typical calibration standards. My work in a utility metrology lab made me view these instruments with a whole new level of respect. BTW, my instrumentation shows that RSIATL, a novell server, and the losses in the UPS cost about $16 a month to operate :-) John -- John De Armond, WD4OQC | The Fano Factor - Radiation Systems, Inc. Atlanta, GA | Where Theory meets Reality. emory!rsiatl!jgd **I am the NRA** |