A kWh meter that exports data to a spreadsheet?

pauldavis123 · 24-07-2022 09:33PM #1

Anyone know of such a device?

I can't find anything online!

10-10-20 · 24-07-2022 09:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058255908/a-kwh-meter-that-exports-data-to-a-spreadsheet

The Owl devices used to, does it not anymore?

https://theowl.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/articles/201105346-How-do-I-read-the-CSV-file-from-an-OWL-USB-Legacy-

pauldavis123 · 24-07-2022 10:06PM

Error rate various from 5-30%, but averages out across days at around 12%!!

I was planning on using this to split the bill, with the way unit prices are it will cause war.

I need a unit that will actually wire in.

Thanks for the info thought, on the right path.

10-10-20 · 24-07-2022 10:14PM

Cheaper CT clamps are like that but it's not likely that the error rate is 30% across the spectrum. I've seen pretty good accuracy with some CT clamps at higher currents, less-so at lower currents. I have a fractured CT clamp here at the moment (I knocked it off a door-way and it shattered the core, and it's reporting about 25% down), but otherwise these are acceptable for non-contact inductive measurement.

If you need better precision then you'll need to DIY it with some more advanced equipment such as this:

https://shop.shelly.cloud/shelly-em-50a-clamp-wifi-smart-home-automation-1#139

You then need to work out how to get the data off the clamp and into excel. ;)

(tip: Home Assistant)

10-10-20 · 24-07-2022 10:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119382775#Comment_119382775

In terms of "wiring in a unit" - that's not possible unless you're doing it in the CU box. In the ESB meter box that would be Illegal and I've never seen such a unit which could be easily DIY'd anyway. CT clamps are the way to go - they are used across the board for this.

pauldavis123 · 25-07-2022 07:26AM

Sorry, I should have been a bit more accurate in my initial post, it's a three-phase 29kVA supply coming into a type B distribution board in a commercial unit. There is an accessory din rail at the bottom of the board where the unit I'm looking for could be placed. I'll get an electrician to install it.

I just know that the clamp solution will cause arguments as 10% of the bill could be well over a €100 extra a month!

10-10-20 · 25-07-2022 10:06AM

Ok, that clearly is a different ball-game.

But where I have seen power meters in data-center locations, these tend to be implemented at the distribution level (at each feed off the physical rack) or at the LV switchgear. These are, as far as I know, all CT based with hall-effect sensors (rather than old coil based setups). Very few use voltage-droppers at high currents. All data is then sent to a BMS and aggregated. Normally the power is then charged for in terms of electrical units with pricing for distribution, maintenance and losses factored within the per-unit price.

Looking at Eaton's line-up of high-end meters I notice that they proclaim a 'Revenue Accuracy' of between 0.2 and 0.5%, so I'm really bamboozled as to what low-end products you've seen up to 30% loss on...

https://www.eaton.com/ecm/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&allowInterrupt=1&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&noSaveAs=0&Rendition=Primary&dDocName=PCT_399971

https://www.eaton.com/SEAsia/ProductsSolutions/Electrical/ProductsServices/PowerManagement/PowerandEnergyMeters/PowerXpert2000Series/index.htm#tabs-2

A kWh meter that exports data to a spreadsheet?

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