🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <MARK.90Jan5105134@retix.retix.retix.com> mark@retix.retix.retix.com (Mark Hoy) writes:
>Is there a <$30 meter that will monitor an appliances power usage? I
>would like to know how much energy is being used by a couple of
>fridges, aquariums, etc.  I am willing to build the thing if
>necessary, (but only if it's relatively simple). 

Regular watt-hour meters such as used in your house entrance don't cost much
more than this.  Figure on paying between 50 and 70 bux.  You could try
contacting your utility meter department.  They may sell you one.
If not, you can buy them from the vendors (Westinghouse, GE, Saganaw,
Japan Inc.) directly, though at a bit higher cost.  I bought mine directly
from my utility.  I mounted it in a meter base attached to a wooden frame 
of appropriate dimentions to keep it level.  An outlet box is also 
supplied.

To make the kind of measurement you want, a mechanical watt-hour meter is
hard to beat over the long run.  A long history of experience, regulatory
concern, and good design makes your humble little power meter very
accurate.  Overall accuracy of 2% at low wattage and 1% at high are
typical calibration standards.  My work in a utility metrology lab
made me view these instruments with a whole new level of respect.

BTW, my instrumentation shows that RSIATL, a novell server, and the
losses in the UPS cost about $16 a month to operate :-)

John

-- 
John De Armond, WD4OQC                     | The Fano Factor - 
Radiation Systems, Inc.     Atlanta, GA    | Where Theory meets Reality.
emory!rsiatl!jgd          **I am the NRA** |