Outlet power meter

Outlet

This is a device that displays the power consumption of each electronic equipment plugged into the outlet. The device can be attached to the outlet itself with an LED display. Power consumption cost can also be displayed so the users have an idea of how each device adds up to their electric bill. An app can also be built with this device to store all the consumption information. View all your power consumption in a centralized database from a website or your phone.

11 points | 51 comments

By

...
loading bar

I've always wondered about the electric cost of my equipment. If you want to minimize your electric consumption then you have to start first by measuring it. Once you have this information you can then decide which electronic device to cut down consumption. Even better, why not this device also automatically shutdown the outlet when the device is not used? Or atleast you have an option in the app to remotely turn off the outlet. It's like a high-tech form of power conservation.

  • Reply

I'm still searching for a nice one that has an IP based interface (wifi or ethernet) where I can get the data directly.

  • Reply

@trobinsonfa I'd love to do this just to see where all my power goes,* but I have near-zero electrical experience and anything more than replacing a breaker scares me shitless.

  • Reply

@trobinsonfa * I'm kidding. I live with central air, and my bill triples in summer.

  • Reply

@trobinsonfa Scares me to - and the fact messing with it could invalidate my insurance... ~::S

  • Reply

Check your smart meter - when it gets installed. You will also be able to see the readings every hour via the utility's (or google's) website.

  • Reply

@nhansonfe boy i thought i understood this stuff but im surprised its a bit beyond me. I was hoping he would at least have a parts list.

  • Reply

@nhansonfe I got one of these and it doesn't show the decimal poiunt when displaying Watts which had me thinking my equipment was pulling 2500 Watts.?

  • Reply

@dblackfg I know my kill a wall meter will show the watts my device is using at any given time, but is there a device that will show me the maximum watts it demanded at some point while running?? There are stickers that tell me max wattage but because of

  • Reply

@dblackfg There are USB connected devices that provide logging, but I haven't tested any myself. Your question is great, I'm so sorry I just don't have first-hand knowledge of a good answer.?

  • Reply

@nhansonfe you can see max watt. I have this unit (240v version) and it does take a note of max. current and power.?

  • Reply

Hi I am trying to work out the amount of Watts used to plan a solar power system. I see this shows "Max Watts" but surely I already know the maximum from looking at the plug on my appliance. Is this the wrong thing for me??

  • Reply

?It's pretty cheap, plugs into any grounded outlet, and can calculate the annual cost impact of anything you plug into it.

  • Reply

@rgriffinfl Why do i get 3.5 watts when nothing is plugged in to energy monitor?

  • Reply

Can You make comparison and teardown of them??

  • Reply

i had similar device (the one with blue buttons and two lines accros screen when powered off ) and it burnt after some time .

  • Reply

@jsimpsonfo it seems the only thing burnt is a resistor . can you show me a picture of its inside so that i can see the resistor so that i can repair mine ?

  • Reply

what is the absolute cheapest one of these things? I want to be able to save money on my vampire appliances but I don't want to start out more money in the hole for this thing (which realistically I'd use a bunch one time and then hardly ever other than if I remember to do it to a new appliance)

  • Reply

@kwilliamsfq Do I quick search on Amazon for a watt meter, or energy meter. There are a few out there that are a little bit cheaper, but I can't attest to how well they work.

  • Reply

@amendozafr In what way is cleared amount from previous measurements??

  • Reply

@afisherfs I have a Watts Up Pro that was given to me, and it does the basic job. But it's more expensive.

  • Reply

@afisherfs On mains, that requires milliamp accuracy. No way these things can do that?

  • Reply

@afisherfs But these aren't made for mains, they're appliance only?

  • Reply

Load More Replies...
loading bar

Not to sidetrack, but does anyone know the impact (as in lifespan) on an LCD TV that is left on 24x7 versus one that is regularly turned on and off and on and off....

  • Reply

@klawsonfx Cost and lifespan are secondary, you're wasting a RIDICULOUS amount of electricity, just like my downstairs neighbors who leave their TVS and PS3s on all the time.

  • Reply

@klawsonfx ?If you're too lazy(?) to turn off the TV just put the sleep timer on for like 4 hours, it won't interrupt your viewing and will actually turn the device off at some point

  • Reply

@bwoodsfz That's actually a great idea about the sleep timer.

  • Reply

I grabbed one of these when Belkin was having a big sale on their website.

  • Reply

@mscottg1 ?If you know your KW/hour price (can be found on your energy bill) you can input that price and get a good idea of what it costs to run each appliance.

  • Reply

@bkennedyg2 The biggest surprise, for me, was discovering all of the energy leeches.

  • Reply

@bkennedyg2 I put surge protectors in most of my outlets and made sure to keep them all turned off when I wasn't using appliances.

  • Reply

loading bar

end of comments