It is difficult to determine how much of it is consumed by a separate device connected to the home network using the energy meter installed in the apartment. Users need to know this value in order to put things in order in the system of accounting for consumers, which are constantly operated. A portable electronic device plugged directly into an outlet and called a wattmeter will help solve the problem.
general information
A wattmeter or electricity meter plug-in adapter is a compact, independent device designed to measure the power consumed by a particular load. In addition, the following parameters are displayed on the display of modern meters of electricity consumption in the outlet:
- the value of the effective voltage in the network;
- estimated operating time of this consumer;
- approximate cost of consumed energy for a certain period of time.
The household electricity consumption meter is connected in parallel with the load and therefore takes part of it from the mains.
The amount of power taken off by the measuring device is so small that it is not taken into account when calculating the total energy consumption.
A classic wattmeter consists of the following main components:
- current and voltage meters;
- analog-to-digital converter (ADC);
- microcontroller;
- typesetting field and indicator required for data input-output.
All these components, when working together, provide the required functionality of the device for measuring the consumed electrical energy.
The principle of operation of the wattmeter
The operation of the device is based on an electronic algorithm for calculating electricity in watts, produced by multiplying the readings of current and voltage meters. Each of them is registered by a separate module, which is a part of the device, and then the obtained values are processed in the ADC and multiplied in the appropriate form.
The presentation of information in digital form simplifies all computational operations and allows you to display the results on the display screen.
A microcontroller built into the portable meter controls the operation of all parts of the electronic circuit and provides the following operations:
- measurement of the amount of power consumed per unit of time (in kilowatts);
- calculation and display on the indicator of the indicator of the current voltage in the network (in Volts);
- indication of the current in the load line (in Amperes);
- accounting of the time of continuous work of the consumer.
In some "advanced" models of wattmeters, an approximate estimate of the cost of electrical energy consumed over a certain period of time is provided. Its value is also displayed on the built-in display screen.
Appearance and characteristics of wattmeters
Externally, the device for measuring electricity consumption resembles a compact adapter to an outlet, on the front panel of which there is a field with dial buttons and an electronic display. To bring it into working condition, just plug the device into an outlet and set the current time.Upon completion of these operations, the wattmeter switches to the automatic metering of electrical energy consumption.
The technical characteristics of an electronic device can be presented as follows:
- Supply voltage - 190-270 Volts.
- Maximum load power 3.6 kW.
- The consumed current is up to 16 Amperes.
- Discreteness of readings in terms of power - 0.1 Watt.
- Measurement accuracy (reading error) - 1%.
- The maximum value of the energy taken into account by the device is up to 10,000 kW / h.
Electricity consumption for own needs does not exceed 0.5 W, and the temperature range in which the device operates satisfactorily is from plus 5 to 40 degrees Celsius.
Pros and cons of energy meters
The advantages of electronic devices such as "sockets, electricity meters" include:
- availability for any user;
- the ability to evaluate every household appliance in the house by its energy intensity;
- ease of handling.
In addition, according to the readings displayed on the indicator, the user gets a complete picture of the parameters of the current power grid.
Based on the data read from the electronic board, it is possible to estimate the cost of electricity for a fixed period of time.
The disadvantages of devices of this type include:
- the presence of a limitation on the maximum load (no more than 3.6 kW);
- impossibility of using the adapter in unheated rooms.
Most samples of electrical appliances connected to a home network fit into the maximum power rating.
Methods of using the electricity meter and operating features
According to the instructions for using a compact electric meter, handling it is reduced to the following simple operations:
- The meter is plugged into an outlet.
- The device under test is connected to the network through it.
- After resetting the initial settings, the information counted by the counter will appear on the screen.
During the operation of a digital device, it is necessary to carefully monitor the health of the outlet, the quality of the connections of which affects the performance of the electricity meter.
After a power outage in the network, the product will have to be reinstalled again, since the counting of readings will be interrupted. On some models, these values are stored in the internal memory of the device. If desired, they can be called to the indicator by dialing the corresponding combination on the button field (see instructions).
Smart socket
The first samples of the so-called "smart" or smart sockets appeared among the owners of private suburban farms, who were forced to monitor the state of the equipment used in the house. Modern smart meters, the main function of which is accounting for electricity consumption, allow:
- Program the time for switching on and off household appliances.
- Automatically start important processes even before the owner returns from work, saving on energy consumption.
- Disable appliances that have been inadvertently turned on, as well as protect the house from intrusion by unauthorized persons.
These devices are used in areas where protection from forgetfulness and taking necessary measures in the absence of the owner is required. To do this, they provide an option that allows you to control home equipment through a smartphone with a special application installed on it.
Another option for remote control involves sending short SMS messages to a specific number. After sending the appropriate command, a stereo or similar equipment is automatically turned on, creating the impression of the presence of the owner in the house. Modern models of household wattmeters are a further development of the smart socket principle, since they have all of its features.
Modern intelligent wattmeters
The modern smart wattmeters, installed in an outlet, include an electronic module that provides reliable communication with the owner of the house via the Internet. Control is carried out remotely via a mobile smartphone or other device. Due to this, the functionality of smart wattmeters has expanded significantly. With their help, it is possible to remotely turn off the equipment operating in the house in the event of abnormal or emergency situations.
Such devices are widely used in research laboratories engaged in improving the principles of energy conservation.
TP-Link HS110, which is very popular with the consumer, is proposed as an example of an intelligent outlet-wattmeter. Her work is characterized as follows:
- control and reading of consumed power is possible at a distance;
- remote switching of household electricity consumers is provided;
- remote monitoring of energy consumption allows the user to select the optimal heating operation mode, and also helps to set the desired level of power consumption.
Despite all the advantages of smart energy meters plugged into an outlet, they also have certain disadvantages: the high cost of smart products and the dependence of their functionality on the reliability of the existing communication channel.
