Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A consumer-friendly system for monitoring electricity consumption by a residence or business is provided. The system comprises: (a) a measuring transmitting unit, which comprises: (1) at least two current transformers; (2) means for connecting the measuring transmitting unit to a circuit breaker panel; (3) means for converting AC analog signals to DC analog signals; (4) a microcontroller; (5) a power line carrier transmission interface controller; and (6) a power supply; and (b) a programmable receiving display unit, which comprises: (1) a power supply; (2) a power plug; (3) a power line carrier transmission interface controller; (4) a data decoder and encoder; (5) a microcontroller; (6) memory; (7) a LCD display; and (8) one or more input or mode buttons. The measuring transmitting unit is capable of translating current flowing in main service power circuit conductors to digitally encoded signals, and transmitting the digitally encoded signals over power circuits in the residence or small business. The receiving display unit is capable of receiving the digitally encoded signals being emitted by the measuring transmitting unit, decoding the digitally encoded signals and translating them to the LCD display showing real-time electrical usage and associated monetary costs for viewing by the consumer. A method for monitoring electricity consumption by a residence or business is also included.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim