Need to buy an Electricity monitor

[Flecktimus]

I have just bought a small hotel in the Scottish borders and need to monitor quite a few items as the electricity bills are horrendous. I am no techy so go easy on me,all recommendations will be appreciated.

Cheers

[JohnS]

There are two types.

Firstly, the plug in monitors.  Our hosts sell them

http://www.navitron.org.uk/product_detail.php?proID=339&catID=67

Some of them are not good at measuring low power eg under 100 watts.  But these are as good as any at low power, as far as I know.  I have one.

Secondly, there is the type that measures power consumption on a larger circuit.  They do this by clipping onto one of the cables, not both.  That is they cannot clip over a twin+earth cable as that has both the live and neutral in it.  They are best suited for use near a meter or consumer unit.  Again our hosts sell them

http://www.navitron.org.uk/product_detail.php?proID=17&catID=67

Again, there are problems with low power.  Mine never measures under 180 watts even if there is less power being consumed. 

Another similar one is http://smartenergykit.com/

One of the regulars on this forum helped with the design.  I believe that they are more accurate.

Hope this helps.

John

[guydewdney]

I had an efergy (second link) - its not good - and for multiple sources its useless.

The CurrentCost is much much better - it can handle many sensors, and multiple phases - you can see what each 'appliance' (room? kitchen? wash room? lobby? etc) is using.

The smaller sensors clip round a single cable - you would have to explain a bit more about how big the hotel is - and how many 'fuse boxes' there are....

Guy