Plug-in energy monitor

Section62

Astria said:

Section62 said:

I wasn't commenting on the availability of 3.3kW rated kettles, only that 3.1kW isn't an 'absolute maximum'.

But in a way it is, because you can't find a kettle in excess of 3kW, yes, a 3kW kettle might draw more than that at startup, but it won't be quoted as that.

I wasn't referring to a startup current/power.  As a predominantly resistive load the power drawn by a kettle will be more or less constant.  The reason for the power drawn being greater than 3kW would be because the mains supply in a specific case is at a greater voltage than the nominal 230V.

The presumed absence (I haven't checked) of a kettle marketed with a rating >3kW doesn't mean that the UK mains electricity supply via a BS1363 plug/socket combination has an "absolute maximum" power rating of 3.1kW.  Both the rated voltage (230V) and current (13A) are nominal, and in practice can be significantly more than that.

Astria

Section62 said:

Astria said:

Section62 said:

I wasn't commenting on the availability of 3.3kW rated kettles, only that 3.1kW isn't an 'absolute maximum'.

But in a way it is, because you can't find a kettle in excess of 3kW, yes, a 3kW kettle might draw more than that at startup, but it won't be quoted as that.

I wasn't referring to a startup current/power.  As a predominantly resistive load the power drawn by a kettle will be more or less constant.  The reason for the power drawn being greater than 3kW would be because the mains supply in a specific case is at a greater voltage than the nominal 230V.

The presumed absence (I haven't checked) of a kettle marketed with a rating >3kW doesn't mean that the UK mains electricity supply via a BS1363 plug/socket combination has an "absolute maximum" power rating of 3.1kW.  Both the rated voltage (230V) and current (13A) are nominal, and in practice can be significantly more than that.

Well yes of course, watts = volts * amps so the higher the voltage, the higher the wattage, but of course it depends on what the element itself can pull from that. The voltage of a typical outlet is still pretty much 240V - the same as it's always been in the UK, just the specification changed from 225 - 254 to 216 to 253v and so your equipment should work throughout that range.

I'd also be careful using "significantly more" as the maximum of 253V is less than 6% more than 240v (or 230v + 10% if you prefer), and pulling more than 3kW from a standard plug/socket should only be done for very short periods of a time.

Doesn't really matter though as my comment still stands - You are not going to design any device/equipment to pull more than 3kW from a domestic socket, so there's still an "absolute maximum". There's always going to tolerances, 10% here and there, etc.

Section62

Astria said:

I'd also be careful using "significantly more" as the maximum of 253V is less than 6% more than 240v (or 230v + 10% if you prefer), and pulling more than 3kW from a standard plug/socket should only be done for very short periods of a time.

Well yes.  That is the point Spies (I think) and I (for sure) have been making.

An appliance rated at a nominal 3kW can draw more than 3kW in certain circumstances, and doing that through equipment not designed for that load (e.g. a power monitor manufactured to a low price point) could result in damage to that equipment.

The message ought to be straightforward - be careful when measuring power consumption using equipment operating near the limit of its design capacity, because that 'very short period of time' could be fractions of a second.

Astria said:

Doesn't really matter though as my comment still stands - You are not going to design any device/equipment to pull more than 3kW from a domestic socket, so there's still an "absolute maximum". There's always going to tolerances, 10% here and there, etc.

In which case I think we have to agree to differ on what "absolute maximum" means.

Otisregrets

Energenie plug in energy monitor "which guide"  Putting mine on ebay : None mentioned the very very small display writing maybe something  like 4 point.print text for T&C's . LOL !  Illegible. except to torch and magnifying glass.   Manufacturers U tube guide to usage is worse than death by power point. Nothing practical by way of example. Waste of money  Any other suggestions ?  Ms O 

mmmmikey

Otisregrets said:

Energenie plug in energy monitor "which guide"  Putting mine on ebay : None mentioned the very very small display writing maybe something  like 4 point.print text for T&C's . LOL !  Illegible. except to torch and magnifying glass.   Manufacturers U tube guide to usage is worse than death by power point. Nothing practical by way of example. Waste of money  Any other suggestions ?  Ms O 

I'd suggest buying a Tapo P110 which you can buy for £10 or so during Black Friday events, Amazon Prime days and the like. You see the energy consuption on a smart phone app, which is very easy to install and much easier than grovelling round on the floor to find the best viewing angle on a minatire LCD display on the device itself, which is invariably located in the most inconvenient position. Because there are gazillions of them out there, there's also plenty of support available online.

Alnat1

Another vote for the Tapo P110.

Once you're done with all the testing it can also be used as a normal smart plug and you can use it to switch your Christmas lights etc. on and off at your preferred times.

JohnSwift10

I also suggest a Tapo P110 and if you have a Raspberry pi you can see all the readings and control the on/off timings on the raspberry pi

tim_p

JohnSwift10 said:

I also suggest a Tapo P110 and if you have a Raspberry pi you can see all the readings and control the on/off timings on the raspberry pi

I think there’s more to it than just having a Pi!

QrizB

tim_p said:

JohnSwift10 said:

I also suggest a Tapo P110 and if you have a Raspberry pi you can see all the readings and control the on/off timings on the raspberry pi

I think there’s more to it than just having a Pi!

... and that's quite an advanced approach for someone who is looking for a simpler solution than an Energenie power monitor.