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zehnra · Joined: 28 Jul 2009 Posts: 1

I'm looking to do a much simpler (and more temporary) version of the project found at http://www.kondra.com/circuit/circuit.html. What I'd like to do is monitor a couple of outlets and record data over a few days. I know there are devices like the Kill-A-Watt that can do this kind of thing, but what I'd like is in some ways both more and less complicated. What I'd like is something that can not only monitor voltage, current, etc. but also can transmit that data to a central server. However, it doesn't need to actually display the data or have any computation built in. I'd prefer just to get raw data.

The URL above shows a much more involved project than what I'm looking to do and is also much more expensive than I'd like. Ideally, the only equipment I'd need are a couple of monitors and preferrably a PCI card or USB device that can receive the output from the monitor devices. The main issue I have with the above solution is that the circuit board appears to be a multi-thousand dollar piece of equipment, and I don't need a commercial-level board.

I currently intend to only use this for a couple of days to troubleshoot some power issues in my home, but I'd like to be able to reuse it in a larger monitoring project down the road. I'd also like to keep this under $100, but if the computer attachment piece is a little more pricey, I can deal with that as long as it's useful in my larger future monitoring project, which would be similar to the linked project, but again with less overkill.

Ryan · Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 76 Location: Smithtown, NY

We have two power meters that fit the bill for you.

The first is the TED meter. This has the FOOTPRINTS software option. You install the software, and TED plugs into your PC via USB. Graphs and fancy numbers follow without much effort.

The great part is that there is no direct wiring required between the sensors and your "reading unit". It communicates using the powerlines. You can also very easily attach the round sensor clips to any one of your circuits, or on the phase wires feeding the whole panel. With this method you can measure your whole home or just a specific circuit.

You could also modify a Kill-A-Watt to wireless transmit data. This would obviously void your warranty, but I think it is a very cool DIY if you are capable of it.
http://www.ladyada.net/make/tweetawatt/