Monitoring the electricity monitor

ericonabike

Wonder if anyone has had this problem? I've sent it to my electricity supplier [British Gas] but thought I'd seek the wisdom of MSE folk as well.

I've had an electricity monitor for some months now that I've found useful in getting an idea of our usage. But a week or so ago I was given another monitor by a less-that-technically-inclined relative 'in case I could use it'. Out of interest I set the new one up against the old. To find that the new one consistently reads about 50 watts less than the old! The transmitters for both are connected to the same wire at the consumer unit.

Any ideas how this should be so? Seems bizarre for there to be such a huge difference.

macman

These monitors are cheaply made and inherently inaccurate, especially at low usage levels. You already have a highly accurate meter installed in the house.

ian_Sweetman

as Macman has said they are not very accurate, they are at best an indicator to scare you into switching things off, and to be fair they do exactly that. but i will disagree a little about the highly accurate one installed, of course they are better but they are considered correct if they read -3.5~+2.5% and some meters still fail to record usage within this tolerance ( how do i know - check my profile and you'll see its how i try and earn a living )

Terrylw1

But out can still measure the appliance use if you have the time and energy despite tolerence levels which is ultimately what you will pay.

When the meter is outside tolerence though...that's another matter.