power meter confusion, please help

mbeast

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post but I use the minim British Gas energy meter and have just got a Energenie plug meter.

The problem I have is when I put my PC on (all preps and monitor as well as case) the plug meter shows that I'm using 450w at a power factor of 51 (if that makes any difference) but on the minim it shows as 1kw.
I have added up all the Watts of my PC and preps and 450w sounds about right.
I then tested my One Cup kettle and that showed as 2986w at a power factor of 99 and showed as 3.00kw on the minim.

I'm now wondering if some how I might be getting charge for the 1kw instead of the 450w that my PC is using and I wouldn't be surprised if other items are doing the same.

If anyone can explain why the difference please do as I'm confused.

Thank You

gordon2

The only meter that matters is the one that the utility companies read.

mbeast

True but that one does not show the wattage in use other than a red LED flashing so is harder to tell unless I ran a constant amount over x hours to tell if it matched or not.

Cardew

You will only be charged for kWh which is what the main electricity meter reads.

I suspect on the 'minim'(whatever that is!) you are not reading Watts but Volt/Amps.

Normally you can toggle the instantaneous wattage button and it displays Watts and then Volt/Amps.(v/a)

With a kettle you will have a restive load and so Watts and Volt/Amps will be almost the same with the Power factor at close to 1.0

Not so with some other appliances, and having a Power Factor of 0.51 is indicative of you reading Volt/Amps instead of Watts.

Frankly in a domestic property it doesn't matter what your Power Factor and Volt Amps are reading. (unless you are not on mains electricity and running off your own generator)

mbeast

Cardew wrote: »

You will only be charged for kWh which is what the main electricity meter reads.

I suspect on the 'minim'(whatever that is!) you are not reading Watts but Volt/Amps.

Normally you can toggle the instantaneous wattage button and it displays Watts and then Volt/Amps.(v/a)

With a kettle you will have a restive load and so Watts and Volt/Amps will be almost the same with the Power factor at close to 1.0

Not so with some other appliances, and having a Power Factor of 0.51 is indicative of you reading Volt/Amps instead of Watts.

Frankly in a domestic property it doesn't matter what your Power Factor and Volt Amps are reading. (unless you are not on mains electricity and running off your own generator)

Thanks,

The minim is a energy meter that you connect to the main cable that comes into the house.

I'm guessing that must be reading in Volt/Amps and giving a incorrect reading for what is really being used which has got me over worried about my power usage as I couldn't see how my PC could be using so much power.

moonrakerz

mbeast wrote: »

I use the minim British Gas energy meter and have just got a Energenie plug meter.

The problem I have is when I put my PC on (all preps and monitor as well as case) the plug meter shows that I'm using 450w at a power factor of 51 (if that makes any difference) but on the minim it shows as 1kw.
I have added up all the Watts of my PC and preps and 450w sounds about right.
I then tested my One Cup kettle and that showed as 2986w at a power factor of 99 and showed as 3.00kw on the minim.

I'm now wondering if some how I might be getting charge for the 1kw instead of the 450w that my PC is using and I wouldn't be surprised if other items are doing the same.

If anyone can explain why the difference please do as I'm confused.

A little knowledge (and a plug-in energy saver/monitor thingy !!) is a dangerous thing !

mbeast

moonrakerz wrote: »

A little knowledge (and a plug-in energy saver/monitor thingy !!) is a dangerous thing !

I thought these energy monitors where ment to show us how much power we're using.

I was tring to see why my bills where so much and thought it would help show me but its not much use if it saying I'm using x.xxKW and its not correct.

Cardew

If it is reading Volt/Amps it would surely indicate V/A! If it also displays Power factor then that only has any meaning when used in conjunction with V/A


Are you sure that you can't select Watts? If you can't it is useless in a domestic situation.

mbeast

I'm starting to think it is the energine that is wrong now so maybe I am using a load of power :O
on volts its now saying 244v, amps 2.8 and 430w.
I'm sure watts = A x V = 683.2 so the plugin meter is next to useless.

Cardew

mbeast wrote: »

I'm starting to think it is the energine that is wrong now so maybe I am using a load of power :O
on volts its now saying 244v, amps 2.8 and 430w.
I'm sure watts = A x V = 683.2 so the plugin meter is next to useless.

You haven't answered my question! Have you tried to see if there is a separate Watts and Volt/Amps display?(repeatedly press button)

It can't be useless if it reads 3kW for your kettle.

Bet it is a case of failure to RTFM.;)

mbeast

My minim only shows KW, Co2 and £ph.

My energenie shows volt and Hz on 1st, then amps and power factor,
watts and power factor, watt max and power factor KwH and power factor.
when I times's V x A it does not match the Watt reading which from my day as a car mechanic with electrics if memory serves me right it should do.