Measuring Power Consumption Of 230VAC circuit?

[Chewwy]

. . . The only thing I'm wondering about is whether it would be accurate down to nearly zero amps. My HVAC mini split runs the indoor unit fan constantly, even when the compressor is off, drawing about 0.3 amps according to my amp probe and would like to capture this in the KW tally also.

The picture shows 20(100)A and wondering if the 20 is the minimum amps at which it will record accurately?

No way to tell. Neither the Amazon info nor the Baomain.com website provide sufficient information. The Daomain site has a FAQ page but it is empty.

Since you already have the indoor unit’s running amperage and Voltage and it runs continuously, you already have all you need to determine its energy individual consumption.

 

[Chewwy]

My utility company electric meter has digital read out, take reading with unit off, turn unit on and take reading, subtract smaller from larger to find difference, that is you power consumption...

Dale

My electric meter has digital readout too, but it is in kiloWatt-hours consumed. It does not indicate the power being currently used.

 

[cdaigle430]

Pretty easy to figure energy consumed by the hot tub pumps and heater and the dryer when they are running based on their kW or hp rating. Same for the garage led lights. The difficult part is keeping track of how often and how long they are running.

Not sure why you need to keep the power company 妬n check. They don稚 control the energy you consume. The consumer controls that.

I need to make sure Im getting the credits I deserve for supplying power to the grid. The extra power my solar station produces that I don't consume goes to the grid. Otherwise I would have to take their word for it.

 

[Chewwy]

I need to make sure Im getting the credits I deserve for supplying power to the grid. The extra power my solar station produces that I don't consume goes to the grid. Otherwise I would have to take their word for it.

I’m not sure what type of metering you are set up with but it sounds like you have both a meter on your residence AND one on your panels connection to the grid.

Where do your panels connect to the grid; upstream or downstream from your home’s Watt-hour meter?

Most I am familiar with connect downstream (between the house loads and the house’s Watt-hour meter). In this situation, the house’s meter indicates net consumption or generation.

 

[chim]

Are you saying that RalphVA's suggestion won't work or are you just trying to be funny?
I think it will work.

Correct, I wouldn't try to connect it as described. Based on what little information I saw, there may not even be a neutral involved. The reference to the flash suit was partly made in jest, but it wouldn't be a bad piece of apparel for those without a thorough understanding dabbling in electricity.

 

[CobyRupert]

This looks cool for $20.
Measures energy and power.
...and voltage, current, frequency, power factor...

Amazon.com: AC Current Voltage Amperage Power Energy Panel Meter LCD Digital Display Ammeter Voltmeter Multimeter with Split Core Current Transformer CT AC 8-26V 1A (AC 1A Meter(Split Core Transformer)): Home Improvement

 

[Roric]

Depending on how deep you want to get into this:
I installed an IoTaWatt system on my house panel. It reads and records
Power in / power out
Input_0: 123.2 Volts
Main A: 1730 Watts, pf: 0.99
Main B: 1864 Watts, pf: 0.92
Generator: 0 Watts
Generator: 0 Watts
Boiler: 2 Watts
Solar: 266 Watts, pf: 0.84
Office ph B: 91 Watts, pf: 0.93
Bathoffice A: 49 Watts
Liftpump B: 0 Watts
Wellpump B: 0 Watts
Dishwasher: 0 Watts
Kitchen A: 0 Watts
Kitchen B: 100 Watts, pf: 0.99
wellroom B: 147 Watts, pf: 0.4

(It is a snow cloudy day in Minnesota so my 7.5kw solar is not working too hard)

 

[npalen]

No way to tell. Neither the Amazon info nor the Baomain.com website provide sufficient information. The Daomain site has a FAQ page but it is empty.

Since you already have the indoor unitç—´ running amperage and Voltage and it runs continuously, you already have all you need to determine its energy individual consumption.

Looks like its good for down to 40 milliamps:

Baomain Single Phase DIN-rail Type Kilowatt Hour kwh Meter 22V 6Hz 2 (1) A - Voltage Testers - Amazon.com

Edit: The "running continuously" occurs only when the unit reaches the preset temperature and the compressor shuts down. The fan continues to run but draws less than 0.5 amps. The compressor draws as much as 4 to 5 amps when its running.
What I'm wanting to determine is the cost of running this unit for a period of time such as an hour, day or month. An amp meter alone will only tell me what the current draw is at any given time and not the kilowatts consumed over a period of time.

 

[Mendonsy]

The problem with most Chinese electronics is that they are not always that accurate. The odds are that they will be in a range of +/-10% accuracy.

 

[Chewwy]

The problem with most Chinese electronics is that they are not always that accurate. The odds are that they will be in a range of +/-10% accuracy.

+/- 10% of what. Full scale?

Percent of full scale is typical for a lot of instrumentation.
+/- 10% is not that great.