thehoneybadger
Member
Hey all. I have decided, for my own curiosity, that i want to know, and chart, exactly how much power my air conditioner actually consumes. And when.
This is for my home automation system. Running a Compactlogix 1769-L35E. I have 4 inputs available on my analog input module. I want to make use of it.
I have read many places that air conditioning accounts for the majority of a building's power consumption. How much exactly? And when does it actually consume so much?
This question will give me something to do on over the easter break. Practically speaking, it will help me better understand how useful a battery installation might be at my home to complement my solar panels.
A list of knowns:
V(in) = 240V
Likely need Current (I) as my unknown.
So i imagine i would need a handful of shunts, then measure the current passing through the shunts before and then after the pump. Difference between the current will give me the ability to calculate power.
I do not think my PLC would appreciate it very much if i sent the current directly into my analog module. So i figure i would need a device to convert the current reading into a 4-20mA signal, which i can send to the analog module. Then somehow do some fancy calculating in the program.
This is just my guess. Any suggestions, specially a "better" way of doing it would be appreciate. I am happy to purchase a piece of equipment that measures the power and sends a 4-20mA signal output. I do not want the piece of equipment to cost more than the air conditioner itself though.
Thanks all
This is for my home automation system. Running a Compactlogix 1769-L35E. I have 4 inputs available on my analog input module. I want to make use of it.
I have read many places that air conditioning accounts for the majority of a building's power consumption. How much exactly? And when does it actually consume so much?
This question will give me something to do on over the easter break. Practically speaking, it will help me better understand how useful a battery installation might be at my home to complement my solar panels.
A list of knowns:
V(in) = 240V
Likely need Current (I) as my unknown.
So i imagine i would need a handful of shunts, then measure the current passing through the shunts before and then after the pump. Difference between the current will give me the ability to calculate power.
I do not think my PLC would appreciate it very much if i sent the current directly into my analog module. So i figure i would need a device to convert the current reading into a 4-20mA signal, which i can send to the analog module. Then somehow do some fancy calculating in the program.
This is just my guess. Any suggestions, specially a "better" way of doing it would be appreciate. I am happy to purchase a piece of equipment that measures the power and sends a 4-20mA signal output. I do not want the piece of equipment to cost more than the air conditioner itself though.
Thanks all