Re: Remote energy metering

[Kevin Hawkins <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Richard Parker wrote:
> Hello Kevin,
>
> Thank you for your very thorough reply!
>
> My overall goal is to be able to log energy consumption withim our
home over
> time, I presume this would require me to monitor and store the
> 'instantaneous consumption' provided by the meter.
>
You would find it easier to just store the current meter reading
periodically . If you have a device that can report this. That way you
don't have to have the monitoring software running 24/7.  The time
intervals could be whatever you needed.  If you have a pulse type
solution you will need to continually count those pulses either in a
standalone device or your software.
> I have read many different solutions, and to be honest I am quite
stunned
> that a very simple way of doing this doesn't really exist - and by
'simple'
> I'm referring to just being able to fit a device into the DIN-rail and
have
> that wirelessly transmit consumption information. I am not an
electrician,
> so I would have to hire one to install the DIN-rail equipment for me -
> presumably a registered electrician will also be aware about regs
regarding
> the separation of high and low voltage cabling.
>
There are very simple devices you have already identified that do just
this....the possible reason the DIN rail ones aren't wireless is because
a lot of consumer boxes are metal.
> I'm not adverse to coding, however - I'm a programmer for a living -
so I am
> confident I could write some software to receive the information,
however it
> is to be received.
>
> The only thing that is clear to me so far is that in my quest to find
a way
> of doing this without ripping apart my flat and becoming a
professional
> electrician in the process is that there are simply more and more
questions
> to answer!
>
> What would *you* do? :)
>

I used a Viom/xAP Netiom and those single width DIN counters that Tim
mentioned. But I'm into xAP and wanted the Ethernet network visibility
for the data , it's also not ideal for realtime measurement as for that
you still need a pc application 24/7 .   The RFXCom sounds more
manageable TBH . If you're not into the hardware bits, ( it sounds like
you want a contained solution ) and if that Ethernet device is
affordable to you it's a neat and easy solution.

K