Wall-plug wattage measurement device

mrcheez · 05-09-2014 11:16am #1

I'm kind of worried my entertainment centre (TV/xbox/PVR/etc etc) is potentially drawing a dangerous amount of electricity across the single plug it's all connected to (albeit most things are on standby).

Recommend a device I can plug everything into to show me the wattage being used?

coylemj · 05-09-2014 12:02pm

There should be a wattage number stamped on each device, add them up and there's your answer.

From the list you provided, the TV would be the biggest draw in terms of current, the rest would involve mainly solid-state electronics with a hard drive (PVR) here and there, wouldn't really amount to a lot in terms of mains electricity. My 42" Philips LCD TV for example consumes only 146W according to the spec. sheet.

You're obviously using a socket board, just make sure that it's isn't warm to the touch which would suggest inferior internal wiring.

mrcheez · 05-09-2014 12:08pm

any idea what a safe max is?

Also it'd be good to know how much energy is being used on standby. Thanks!

coylemj · 05-09-2014 3:15pm

mrcheez wrote: »

any idea what a safe max is?

Also it'd be good to know how much energy is being used on standby. Thanks!

Check the specifications for all of the devices, they should all state the power consumption on standby.

The safe overall max. is 13 amps which is what the wall socket and the circuit behind it is designed to deliver as an absolute max. That would involve almost 3 kW consumption.

The plug you have going into the wall from the socket board should have a 13A fuse in it, that will protect you if you connect too many devices i.e. that's your first line of defence provided the socket board doesn't melt first which is why I mentioned above that it needs to be able to handle the load so make sure it's got some German or similar approvals stamped on it.

If there's more than one socket on the wall, I'd connect the TV to it's own wall socket and leave the rest of the devices combined onto the socket board.

mrcheez · 05-09-2014 3:18pm

Unfortunately only the one socket, but I take it the fuses you mention should prevent any issues?

mrcheez · 03-10-2014 8:30pm

Actually there appear to be a load of electricity usage devices

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Efergy-Technologies-EMS-2-0-In-Home/dp/B008X3ABTG/ref=pd_sim_sbs_d_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=17K4Q7WKACGSFHW61433

Something like this would prolly help me figure out cost of leaving items on standby or power drawn on one plug

Sam Russell · 23-10-2014 7:02pm

Check out one of these. A device is clipped onto your meter and it broadcasts the power consumption. The second item then is plugged into any socket and it displays your power consumption (and cost) now, over the last day, last week, and last 30 days.

http://www.currentcost.com/products.html

With it installed, let everything settle, then turn on your setup and it will show the power consumed. Turn it off and it will show the reduction.

mrcheez · 23-10-2014 9:00pm

Sam Russell wrote: »

A device is clipped onto your meter

Hmm how does it clip to the meter?

Sam Russell · 24-10-2014 7:56am

mrcheez wrote: »

Hmm how does it clip to the meter?

It is a clip that goes around the red power cable, and measures the current in the cable. It works wirelessly, so the receiver needs to be in range.

Look at the website - it is the 'Transmitter' that clips onto the cable - there is a photo.

mrcheez · 24-10-2014 2:09pm

So it just clips the cable tightly and doesn't actually pierce the rubber or anything?

EDIT: Ah right I see from the video here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrpuiEusu3s), it just hangs around the red wire.

mrcheez · 24-10-2014 2:13pm

Where do you buy these?

223vmax · 24-10-2014 2:16pm

Don't worry. As long as your house is wired to meet current legislation you'll be fine. The fuse in your plug is your current limiting device as so as long as its rating is suitable for the application you shouldn't have any problems. Also do not exceed any warning limitations on any extension sockets.

223vmax · 24-10-2014 2:16pm

Cane across this handy link to

http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/electrical-items/overloading-sockets/

Sam Russell · 24-10-2014 2:25pm

mrcheez wrote: »

Where do you buy these?

I got mine free from Airtricity.

They are available from ebay.

mrcheez · 24-10-2014 3:59pm

223vmax wrote: »

Don't worry. As long as your house is wired to meet current legislation you'll be fine. The fuse in your plug is your current limiting device as so as long as its rating is suitable for the application you shouldn't have any problems. Also do not exceed any warning limitations on any extension sockets.

I decided it'd be good to get a wattage measurement device anyway to see how much energy is being used in general.

Was amazed how, when everything in the house was set to standby, the electricity meter wheel was moving fairly steadily.

When I switched off the standby items at the plug it dropped drastically.

Wall-plug wattage measurement device

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