Objective
To design a metering scheme that will monitor and display the impact of the electricity usage to visitors staying at the Samoa Hostel.
Background
The Samoa Hostel intends to educate visitors about topics related to ecology and conservationism. Part of this is an effort to allow visitors to monitor how much energy they are using, including electricity consumed by appliances that are plugged in but not in use. Studies have shown that self-monitoring of energy usage cuts consumption by a significant degree. Our solution's purpose is to find a meter for each of the twenty-four rooms of the hostel. Most meters being intended for monitoring either a single socket or an entire building has presented a unique challenge for our solution.
Constraints
- Each room has one meter.
- The meter is at eye-level (five feet).
- The meter has an easy to read LCD screen.
- The meter is easy to operate.
- The meter can measure up to 220V accurately.
- The meters will not interfere with each other.
Criteria in Descending Order of Significance
- Safety meets National Electric Code
- Education encourage conservation
- Durability withstand everyday use
- Cost less than $250.00
- Aesthetics looks professional
Solution
The metering scheme will use the EM-2500 meter. Each bedroom will contain one EM-2500 meter, set at a height of five feet and two feet from the light switch, The meter will connect to the insulated hot wires leading to the lightbulb and to the electric outlet. Using current transformer connectors that wrap around main insulated electrical lines is more safe and effective than conventional splicing, or invasive systems. It will display energy used in Kilowatthours (KWh).
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Fig 1: The attachment of wires for wall mounting the EM-2500. Picture by Energy Monitoring Technologies.[1]
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Fig 2: Basic setup of a hostel room showing the EM-2500 Meter Reader at five feet high with a conversion chart next to it. Picture courtesy of David Scully.
Costs
Material | Cost ($) |
---|---|
One EM-2500 | 215.00 |
Licensed Electrician (for 1 hour) | 35.00 |
Miscellaneous Materials | 10.00 |
Total Cost | 260.00 |
Results
The Wattimus has not been available for testing at this date. This unfortunate state of affairs is due to a difficulty in acquiring a copy of the EM-2500. Once this grievous occurrence is rectified to the best of Humboldt Innovative Design's abilities, this section will be promptly updated and expanded.
Discussion
Electrical Usage from Common Appliances Per Day | Energy Source in Amount Required | Amount Required per Year | Amount of CO2 per Year |
---|---|---|---|
Portable Space Heater run for six hour (6 hr x 1.5 Kilowatts = 9 Kwh) | 9.719 pounds of coal | 3549.946 pounds of coal | 7383.888 pounds CO2 |
Home Computer run for twenty hours (20hr x .15 Kilowatts = 3 Kwh) | 3.240 pounds of coal | 1182.505 pounds of coal | 2459.610 pounds of CO2 |
Dehumidifier run for four hours (4hr x .645 Kilowatts = 2.58 Kwh) | 2.682 pounds of coal | 978.898 pounds of coal | 2036.108 pounds of CO2 |
Cell phone charger plugged but not in use for twenty-four hours (24hr x 0.084 Kilowatts = 2.016 Kwh) | 2.096 pounds of coal | 764.906 pounds of coal | 1591.005 pounds of CO2 |
Television on for five hours (5hr x .3 Kilowatts = 1.5 Kwh) | 1.559 pounds of coal | 569.127 pounds of coal | 1183.784 pounds of CO2 |
Toaster run for half an hour (.5hr x 1.35 Kilowatts = 0.675 Kwh) | .702 pounds of coal | 256.107 pounds of coal | 532.703 pounds of CO2 |
Hair Dryer run for half an hour (.5hr x 1.2 Kilowatts= 0.6 Kwh) | .624 pounds of coal | 227.651 pounds of coal | 473.514 pounds of CO2 |
References
- ↑ Picture by Energy Monitoring Technologies, Inc.