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| Thread ID: 96592 | 2009-01-15 22:14:00 | Electricity supplier - daily fixed capacity charge41?! | stuffed (1469) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 739095 | 2009-01-16 20:32:00 | This might help: offog.org | ubergeek85 (131) | ||
| 739096 | 2009-01-16 20:52:00 | Thanks but there must some off the shelf unit?! | stuffed (1469) | ||
| 739097 | 2009-01-17 06:42:00 | Thanks everyone – no not a business - just a home. Have emailed and faxed Genesis and Auroa – if no response will move to the next stage. Now with that in the system does anyone know of an electricity monitor program to install onto a home PC. Sure know you can get a stand alone wireless devise but would like a program to monitor 3 meters and be able to store the data. No prob to hard wire back to the meter. Anyone any suggestions? Many thanks It is a problem to hard wire back to the meter. If the meters are rotating disk type, they have no pulse output. If they are electronic with a pulse output, you need an "EGR approved test house" employee to make the connection, as meter seals have to be broken and remade. The local sparky may not cut the mustard there unless he works under an agreement with Delta (the meter owner and test house). The fine is only $20,000 max though... The cable must be rated at 600/1000v inside the meterbox as well. You could buy clip-on sensors such as the Centameter uses, but that requires an analog/digital converter. That is where the Centameter falls down, no summated pulse output, even though the chip they use is capable of it. |
godfather (25) | ||
| 739098 | 2009-01-17 07:00:00 | "Off the shelf" units are readily available and used extensively and are revenue or check meters with built-in loggers (known as TOU meters - Time of Use). They are usually interrogated by GSM by the Retailer. Can be locally interrogated by makers software, but that is a problem, as most such software allows reprogramming of the meter as well so distribution is tightly controlled. All larger users (non domestic) above 500 amps have to have TOU meters. If you wait long enough, you will likely get a new "advanced" meter that does store half hour consumption 24/7, but that will be a few years away in your area I believe. Then you would probably have to pay to get a copy of the monthly file .... |
godfather (25) | ||
| 739099 | 2009-01-17 20:34:00 | Thanks – gulp – nothing is easy! OK what are the clip-on sensors called do you know and aprox cost? Could these then feed via a PLC into a program?! | stuffed (1469) | ||
| 739100 | 2009-01-19 07:33:00 | Not sure of the cost, but it would depend a lot on both the accuracy you wanted and the primary current rating. The ones used by the Cenameter would be suitable (I think they have a 0-200mV output?) they are $23.50 each from the website. Yes, a PLC would do the job, as long as you can be sure what the sensor outputs are (someone stole mine). Otherwise I would put a scope on the measuring chip to see if it is programmed to pulse out, which would overall be the cheapest option. The advantage of the clip-on Centameter sensors is that you can DIY as they are rated correctly. |
godfather (25) | ||
| 739101 | 2009-01-19 19:35:00 | Thanks – I have contacted Centameter as heard a rumor that they are working on a PC system – they are closed until the 27th (must be doing well!) Delta got back and tells me that we have a 3 phase 60AMP – 41KW supply. Will get my sparkie to check what we draw at peak winter load and see if can reduce the pipe size – and cost. |
stuffed (1469) | ||
| 739102 | 2009-01-19 20:00:00 | The typical (normal) domestic service fuse is 60 amps. Just that you have 3.... Presumably you have underfloor heating or similar? The Centameter ordering place (a domestic residence) is about 3 kM from here, but the units are shipped direct from elsewhere. Probably just the locals on hoday? |
godfather (25) | ||
| 739103 | 2009-01-19 20:10:00 | Yep thought they would be close - great to see a SI business doing well. Told them that would be happy to be a betta tester! Happy to pay. Yes we have electric underfloor - therms in 10 areas plus use 3 position switch at the main board - off, on, time clock. There is just a 24 hour rate (.10395c + GST) but might see if can get a night day rate. |
stuffed (1469) | ||
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