GB2235304A - Monitoring the consumption of electrical energy - Google Patents
Monitoring the consumption of electrical energy Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2235304A GB2235304A GB9016823A GB9016823A GB2235304A GB 2235304 A GB2235304 A GB 2235304A GB 9016823 A GB9016823 A GB 9016823A GB 9016823 A GB9016823 A GB 9016823A GB 2235304 A GB2235304 A GB 2235304A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- consumers
- reference value
- consumption
- switched
- consumer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R21/00—Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor
- G01R21/133—Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor by using digital technique
- G01R21/1333—Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor by using digital technique adapted for special tariff measuring
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Remote Monitoring And Control Of Power-Distribution Networks (AREA)
- Measurement Of Current Or Voltage (AREA)
- Indication And Recording Devices For Special Purposes And Tariff Metering Devices (AREA)
- Indicating Measured Values (AREA)
Abstract
A single electricity meter (1) measures the consumption of energy of a plurality of consumers (V1 to V4 ) and a pulse generator (3) produces pulses at a rate proportional to the total power consumed (P Fig 2). When a consumer (V1 to V4) is switched on and off, the pulse rate performs a jump which is proportional to the power of the consumer, and processing apparatus (2) detects which consumer is involved and registers the switched-on time of the consumer. After the expiry of a measurement period, the energy consumption is calculated (2) for each consumer and can be called up to a display (9 Fig 3 not shown). <IMAGE>
Description
1 APPARATUS FOR M0WORING THE CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY This
invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring the consumption of electrical energy.
In particular, the invention relates to such an apparatus of the kind comprising a pulse generator arranged to be controlled by an electricity meter for producing pulses which indicate the consumption of a f ixed amount, and a plurality of registers which are coupled to the pulse generator by way of a logic circuit.
An apparatus of this kind is known from Swiss patent specification No. 568 568. That specification describes a tariff device which is designed as an ancillary device for the electricity meter which is provided with the pulse generator. The tariff device is equipped with a plurality of summing meters. The connection power of the electricity meter is divided into a plurality of power bands, with each of which a respective summing meter is associated. There may be for example five summing meters thereby forming five power bands. At a low level of power, the entire energy taken at that power level is added to a first summing meter. At a higher level of power the entire energy taken at that power level is summed at the meter corresponding to the respective power band in question. That apparatus permits the energy supplier to use a twocomponent tariff for billing purposes, which, besides the energy taken, also includes the power.
Other tariff devices are known which, besides the energy display, also include a power display, for example the known maximum tariff devices and the over-consumption tariff devices fall into that category. All those tariff devices are based an the notion of causing the consumers of energy to take energy as uniformly as possible, without pronounced loading peaks occurring. The electricity supply networks are thus more uniformly loaded and can be of correspondingly economical dimensioning.
In order generally to help the notion of energy saving to come to a breakthrough point, it would be desirable for the consumer of energy to have not only overall information about the energy consumed and the loading peaks occurring in that situation, but also having at any time information about the consumption of energy of the individual load devices and the costs caused thereby. That would also make it possible 1 2 for energy costs to be put directly on those causing them, for example in industry and in the service sector.
An idea has already been suggested in a publication that individual consumers should be identified by means of spectral analysis of the load curve of their electricity meter and their energy consumption ascertained in that way (Mesures en matiere dleconomie dlenergie des appareils, IENER, 1.12.1987 N619116B/SG/FD, EPF-Lausanne).
The invention is based on the problem of providing an apparatus for monitoring the consumption of electrical energy, which separately ascertains the energy consumption of individual customers. In this context, "consumers" includes different apparatus or groups of apparatus connected to the same meter.
The invention provides an apparatus of the general kind mentioned above, in which the logic circuit includes a microprocessor which measures the spacing with respect to time, or the rate, of the pulses, detects switching-on jumps and switching-off jumps of consumers by reference to said spacing or rate, associates such jumps with a respective one of the consumers and stores the consumed energy in the registers associated with the individual consumers.
An embodiment of the invention is described in greater detail hereinafter by Way of example and with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows an electricity meter with a group of consumers and an apparatus for monitoring the consumption of electrical energy, Figure 2 is a schematic view of the loading diagram of the electricity meter shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a block circuit diagram of an apparatus for monitoring the consumption of electrical energy, and Figure 4 is a simplified flow chart of a microcomputer program for controlling an apparatus as shown in Figure 3.
In Figure 1 reference numeral 1 identifies an electricity meter of mechanical or electronic type while reference numeral 2 identifies an apparatus for monitoring the consumption of electrical energy. Arranged in the elctricity meter 1 is a pulse generator 3 connected to an input of the apparatus 2. The consumers V1, V2 V3 and V4 are connected to the 11 3 electricity meter 1 as its load. The consume-- V, is for example a boiler, the consumer V2 is a refrigerator and consumer V3 is an electric oven. Cbmibined together in the consumer V4 are a plurality of. small consumers such as for example incandescent 1 radio sets etc, which rmresent a base loading for the electricity meter 1. It will be appreciated that there may also be more than only three large consumers V 1, V 2 and V 3. All consumers may be individually switched on and off by means of switches which are not shown here.
The electricity meter 1 registers the consumption of electrical energy of all consumers connected thereto. The pulse generator 3 outputs a respective pulse after the consumption of a given fixed aTK=t, for exarmle after 10 Wh. The number of pulses in a given unit of time is proportional to the energy taken and the pulse rate is proportional to the loading of the electricity meter. Infoniation about the loading of the electricity meter 1 my be obtained frcm the pulse rate.
A loading diagram of the electricity meter illustrated in Figure 1 is shown in Figure 2. The electrical power P is plotted on the ordinate and time. t is plotted on the abscissa. The large consumers V,, 'v' 2 and v3 stand up out of the base load which is fo=red by the many small consumers V 4. The switching-on and avitching-off jurrps correspond to the connection power P n and the areasof the rectangles correspond to the cons energy 11 of the respective consumer V. The consumed energy W1 n n for example of the consumer V, corresponds to the product of the connection power P, and the switch-on time t 11 Figure 3 shows the electricity meter 1, the pulse generator 3 and the annaratus 2 in the form of a block circuit diagran. The pulse generator 3 in the electricity meter 1 is connected to a pulse input of a r.ucroctc-- 4 which is arranged in the apparatus 2 in a logic circuit. The microcomputer 4 is connected to a program n. memory 5, a reference value menvry 6, a working memory 7 and a di.-,play rremery 8 by way of a data bus connected to the data port of the microcomputer 4. The 4 prograT, memory 5 is a read only memory (mm), while the referexIce value memtry 6, the working memory 7 and the display mawry 8 are random access memories (RA14s). In order to secure the stored data in the event of a possible mains failure, the random access memories are in the fo:rm of non-volatile memories (NVRAMs). Also connected to the data bus are a display unit 9 and an operating status display 10. Connected to a first control input of the microcomputer 4 is a me-asurement value call-up and g unit 11 wt.Lile connected to a second control in-out is a control line 12 which serves for examle for tariff switching purposes.
Other necessary functional blocks such as a feed and matching circuits for the pulse input and the two control inputs are omitted for the sake of simplicity.
The rate of the pulses outputted by the pulse generator 3 is proportional to the respective power P. The power P is made up from the connection power P n of all consumers V n which are switched on simultaneously. Ukien an additional consumer \In is switched on the rate increases, that is to say there is a positive shift in rate. When the same consumer V is switched off, there is a negative shift' in rate of n the same magnitude. It is possible to arrive at the connection pmver P n and thus the consumer V, from the magnitude of the shift in pulse rate.
n The microccrimuter 4 determines that rate by measuring for exaTiple the spacing in respect of time between two pulses. As long as the power P is constant, the pulse rate is also constant. As soon as the rate changes -to the microcaTputer 4 detennines the shift _n rate and compares it stored values in the reference value memory 6. In that respect a positive shift in pulse 1:ate corresponds to a switching-on jump while a negative shift in rate corresponds to a switching-off jump.
If that measured shift in pulse rate corresponds to a reference value stored in the reference value memory 6 and if the change in pulse rate is positive, then a register which registers the number of switching- on occurrences in the working memory 7 is incnxnented, that is i i to say increased by one. Time pulses are counted in, in a further register, the function of which is to register the period of tine for which the consumer V is switched on. When the consumer V is switched n n off, counting of the time pulses is stopped. Therefore, the number of switching-on occurrences and the switched-on time tn are recorded in the working memory 7,in relation to each larger consumer V,. The number of switching-on operations and the switched-on tim t n may also be recorded in a plurality of tariffs, for exesit-le a high ta--i..,':f and a low tariff. 71m tariffs are switched aver with the control line 12.
The microcomputer 4 therefore measures the spac ing in respect of time between the pulses, recognises a switching-on jump by virtue of a positive change in pulse rate and a switching-off jump by means of a negative change in pulse rate, and associates those with a respective consumer V n. The number of switching-on operations and the switched-ofi time t are added up in the working marery 7 in the registers &-,sce-Lated n with the consumers V n Light emitting diodes diich are arranged in the operating status display 10 display which of the various consume= V are switched on at n any time. In that way for exarrple wten leaving a ha-.c, it is possible to check. whether all consumers V have been switched off. n In another advantageous construction, light emitting diodes of - colours are arranged in the operating status display- 10, to dif f erent indicate whether the instantaneous loading of the electricity meter 1 is high, medium ol. low. A red light emitting diode indicates for examle a high instantaneous loading of the electricity meter 1, a yellow light emitting diode indicates a medium loading and a green 1 J ght (3'.lit Ling diode indicates a low loading. The loading of the electricity meter 1 can thus be easily seen at any time.
The reference values in respect of the connection Dowers P n of the individual consumers V n and the price per M4h are stored in the reference value rernry 6. The reference values in respect of the 6 connection powers P n are each stored as a respective change in rate. The reference value rmnery 6 is programmed when the apparatus 2 ie. brought into operation. Programming of the reference values is advantageously effected by way of keys arranged in the measurement value call-up and programming unit 11.
After the expiry of a measurement period which can be freely progr and which is for example one month, the microcomputer 4 calculates the costs of the energy W n taken by the individual consuTk-= from the switched-on time t n, the connection power P n and the Those data are then copied into the display memory 8. By actuation of a. key arranged in the measurement value call-up and programming unit II, those data can be displayed at the display unit 9, from the display memory 8. The individual consumers V are identified by means of an n identification figure.
is The program for control 1 ing the microcomputer 4 may also be so designed that the cons energy 19 n and the cos ts incurred can be continuously calculated in the working r.xxmry 7 from the time pulses, the connection power P and the M4h-price. Those running values can be n.
called up to the display and give the consumer the option of reviewing the cost situation on a current basis and not only at the end of a measurement period.
iigure 4 shows a simplified flaw charte of a progran for controlling the microccnmter 4, illustrating the sequences which are important for the fundamental function of the apparatus 2. The syrrbols used bear the following meanings:
-13 program start 14 is the rate (power P) constant? is the rate change (connection power Pn) kmawn? 16 how great is the rate change (connection power P n)? 17 number of switching-on occurrences 4W.
7 18 measuring switched-on time 19 has the measurement period expired? calculation of the energy and energy price 21 copying data into the display memory Additional portions of the progran can advantageously enlarge the capabilities of the apparatus. The apparatus 2 can beprovided with a learning capability by means of a program, portion which deposits a rate change when it occurs for the first t-u,.ie, in the reference value memory 6, and which associates therewith an identification nr. In that way the connection powers P of the individual consumers V no longer have n n to be programmed. In order not to exceed the capacity of the reference value memory 6 in respect of time, changes in rate which have not occurred for a very long period of time are erased. The relationship between identification nurk)er and consumer V n may be made in the following simple manner: the reference value memory 6 is erased. All consumers V are switched off. The first large consumer 'V1 is now n switched on. The apparatus 2 now allocates the identification number 111 to the consumer V 1 which has been switched on, and derosits the measured rate change in the reference value mErnory 6. All large consumers V n can now be progressively identified. The identification numbers and the associated consumers V can be listed on a plate arranged on the housing n of the apparatus 2.
A further advantageous supplement is represented by a reference value msrmzy 6 which records not only the change in rate when a consumer V n is switched on, but also the load configuration with a plurality of reference values. In that way even consumers V with a ccriplicated load n curve such as for example motors which have a high starting c=ent can be reliably identified.
To supplement the hardware, it is possible to provide an optical interface between the apparatus 2 and a hand term.Lial. In the event of any alterations in the IM-price, prograTming of the fresh price may 1.
8 advantageously be effected by the electricity meter reader from the band terminal.
The apparatus 2 can reliably identify major consumers._V n Jn single-phase networks. In three-phase networks in which both single- phase and also three-pbase consumers V are operated, each rhase must be n monitored in order to guarantee clear identification. That can be done with three single-phase maters or, more advantageously, with a static three-phase meter in which the outimt of each of the three meter mechanismis is also evaluated prior to the sunT.ning operation. In ccrnplex installations with a very large number of consumex-s V n it may be necessary for the consuTers Vn to be combined together to foxm smaller groups - The described apparatus 2 is particularly advantageous in use because in simpler situations there is no need to make modif -4cations to the electrical installations. ny modern electricity meters 1 are already fitted with a pulse generator 3. An apparatus 2 can therefore be subsequently connected to an electricity meter 1, without iivolving major expenditure. That is the case in particular when the apparatus 2 is installed in a standardised casing which is mounted by way of the ter=ral block of the electricity meter 1. ror -q-.kiUer energy consumeers such as domestic households and industry, the apparatus 2 represents a possible way of clearly ascertaining the consumtion of electrical energy and showing where energy guzzlers and thus cost-inducing item are to be found.
1 1 - 1 9
Claims (10)
1. Apparatus for monitoring the consumption of electrical energy, comprising a pulse generator arranged to be controlled by an electricity meter for producing pulses which indicate the consumption of a fixed amount, and a plurality of registers which are coupled to the pulse generator by way of a logic circuit, the logic circuit including a microprocessor which measures the spacing with respect to time, or the rate, of the pulses, detects switching-on jumps and switching-off jumps of consumers by reference to said spacing or rate, associates such jumps with a respective one of the consumers, and stores the consumed energy in the registers associated with the individual consumers.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a measurement value call-up and programming unit having keys which serve for programming reference values in a reference value memory.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the microprocessor runs a control program having a program portion which registers a switching-on jump when it first occurs as a reference value in a or the reference value memory.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the registers for the individual consumers are provided by a working memory in which, in relation to each reference value, the number of switching-on occurrences and the switched-on time of the respective consumer is registered.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the microcomputer runs a control program having a program portion which calculates the consumed energy of the respective consumer from the reference value and the switched-on time.
6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a display memory, and wherein at the end of a measurement period the measurement values are copied from the working memory into the display memory.
7. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein at least one of the consumers is characterised in the reference value memory by a plurality of reference values.
8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an operating status display which displays by means of light emitting diodes, or the like, which of the consumers are switched on.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the operating status display includes at least three light emitting diodes, or the like, of different colours which indicate whether the instantaneous loading of the electricity meter is relatively high, medium or low.
10. Apparatus for monitoring the consumption of electrical energy, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
published 1991 at The Patent Office. State House. 66/71 High Holloorn. LondonWCIR4TP. Further copies mav be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point. Cwmfelinfach. Cross Keys, Newport. NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques lid, St Mary Cray. Kent
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH285089A CH678231A5 (en) | 1989-08-01 | 1989-08-01 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9016823D0 GB9016823D0 (en) | 1990-09-12 |
| GB2235304A true GB2235304A (en) | 1991-02-27 |
Family
ID=4242983
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9016823A Withdrawn GB2235304A (en) | 1989-08-01 | 1990-07-31 | Monitoring the consumption of electrical energy |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CH (1) | CH678231A5 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI903817A0 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2235304A (en) |
| SE (1) | SE9002523L (en) |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1993004377A1 (en) * | 1991-08-27 | 1993-03-04 | Services Industriels De Geneve | Method for identifying electrical power consumers on a circuit being monitored |
| EP2026299A1 (en) * | 2007-08-14 | 2009-02-18 | General Electric Company | Cognitive electric power meter |
| US8805628B2 (en) | 2009-09-25 | 2014-08-12 | Belkin International, Inc. | Systems and methods for measuring electrical power usage in a structure and systems and methods of calibrating the same |
| US8930152B2 (en) | 2009-09-25 | 2015-01-06 | University Of Washington | Whole structure contactless power consumption sensing |
| US9291694B2 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2016-03-22 | Belkin International, Inc. | System and method for monitoring electrical power usage in an electrical power infrastructure of a building |
| US9766277B2 (en) | 2009-09-25 | 2017-09-19 | Belkin International, Inc. | Self-calibrating contactless power consumption sensing |
| US10247765B2 (en) | 2007-09-18 | 2019-04-02 | Georgia Tech Research Corporation | Detecting actuation of electrical devices using electrical noise over a power line |
-
1989
- 1989-08-01 CH CH285089A patent/CH678231A5/de not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1990
- 1990-07-27 SE SE9002523A patent/SE9002523L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1990-07-31 GB GB9016823A patent/GB2235304A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1990-07-31 FI FI903817A patent/FI903817A0/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Cited By (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1993004377A1 (en) * | 1991-08-27 | 1993-03-04 | Services Industriels De Geneve | Method for identifying electrical power consumers on a circuit being monitored |
| FR2680875A1 (en) * | 1991-08-27 | 1993-03-05 | Geneve Services Ind | Method for identifying the electrical power-consuming loads in a circuit under surveillance |
| EP2026299A1 (en) * | 2007-08-14 | 2009-02-18 | General Electric Company | Cognitive electric power meter |
| US7693670B2 (en) | 2007-08-14 | 2010-04-06 | General Electric Company | Cognitive electric power meter |
| CN101368985B (en) * | 2007-08-14 | 2012-10-10 | 通用电气公司 | Cognitive electric power meter |
| US10247765B2 (en) | 2007-09-18 | 2019-04-02 | Georgia Tech Research Corporation | Detecting actuation of electrical devices using electrical noise over a power line |
| US11119141B2 (en) | 2007-09-18 | 2021-09-14 | Georgia Tech Research Corporation | Detecting actuation of electrical devices using electrical noise over a power line |
| US8930152B2 (en) | 2009-09-25 | 2015-01-06 | University Of Washington | Whole structure contactless power consumption sensing |
| US9594098B2 (en) | 2009-09-25 | 2017-03-14 | Belkin International Inc. | Systems and methods for measuring electrical power usage in a structure and systems and methods of calibrating the same |
| US9766277B2 (en) | 2009-09-25 | 2017-09-19 | Belkin International, Inc. | Self-calibrating contactless power consumption sensing |
| US8805628B2 (en) | 2009-09-25 | 2014-08-12 | Belkin International, Inc. | Systems and methods for measuring electrical power usage in a structure and systems and methods of calibrating the same |
| US10371728B2 (en) | 2009-09-25 | 2019-08-06 | Belkin International, Inc. | Self-calibrating contactless power consumption sensing |
| US8972211B2 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2015-03-03 | Belkin International, Inc. | System for monitoring electrical power usage of a structure and method of same |
| US9291694B2 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2016-03-22 | Belkin International, Inc. | System and method for monitoring electrical power usage in an electrical power infrastructure of a building |
| US9857449B2 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2018-01-02 | Belkin International, Inc. | System and method for monitoring electrical power usage in an electrical power infrastructure of a building |
| US10345423B2 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2019-07-09 | Belkin International Inc. | System and method for monitoring electrical power usage in an electrical power infrastructure of a building |
| US10459012B2 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2019-10-29 | Belkin International, Inc. | System for monitoring electrical power usage of a structure and method of same |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FI903817A0 (en) | 1990-07-31 |
| GB9016823D0 (en) | 1990-09-12 |
| SE9002523L (en) | 1991-02-02 |
| CH678231A5 (en) | 1991-08-15 |
| SE9002523D0 (en) | 1990-07-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |