DEVICE FOR MEASURING TWO PHASE POWER WITH SINGLE VOLTAGE INPUT

• US 20120259566A1
• Filed: 04/07/2011
• Published: 10/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Finch, Michael Francis, Huff, Joshua Blake
• Granted Patent: US 9,128,131 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/62
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/06 by measuring current and voltage G01R21/08 - G01R21/133 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/1331 Measuring real or reactive component, measuring apparent energy

Abstract

A device and method for more accurately measuring power consumption in a residential application without having to make connections to high voltage sources in a distribution panel. Since the device calculating the power consumption generally needs to be powered to perform its functions (e.g., plugged into wall outlet), the disclosure utilizes the power supply as a voltage source for measuring voltage without having to make connections to the panel.

Claims

1. A device for measuring power consumption of a household having a conventional 120/240 volt AC power source comprising first and second power lines L1 and L2 and neutral line N and one or more outlets coupled to the source for supplying power to energizing consuming appliances, said device configured for connection to a power outlet and comprising:

a metering microcontroller unit having a voltage input for receiving a voltage from the power outlet to which the device is connected and operative to measure the value of the received voltage, and first and second current inputs for receiving current values of current flowing into the household via lines L1 and L2;

wherein the metering microcontroller is configured to calculate power consumption based on the voltage from the outlet and two separate current values provided thereto.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the current values are provided to the metering microcontroller unit via first and second current transformers connected to respective lines supplying power to the household.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a communication inte face for communicating data relating to power consumption.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the communication interface includes a wireless communication interface for communicating power consumption information to a remote device.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying power consumption information to a user.

6. A device as net forth in claim 1, further comprising a first current transformer connectable to power line L1 and a second current transformer connectable to power line L2, the first and second current transformers connected to respective inputs of the of the metering microcontroller unit.

7. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the power supply includes a conventional plug adapted for receipt in an outlet.

8. A system for measuring power consumption of a household comprising:

a main power distribution panel for receiving first and second power lines and distributing power to at least one household load;

an outlet connected to the main power distribution panel for receiving power therefrom;

a device for measuring power consumption of a household as set forth in claim 1, the power supply of the device being connected to the outlet; and

first and second current transformers each associated with a respective power line for providing a current value to the respective first and second inputs of the device for measuring power consumption.

9. A device for measuring power consumption of a household comprising:

a power supply connectable to a household outlet for receiving power therefrom; and

a microprocessor connected to the power supply and configured to;

receive a first current value corresponding to a current in a first line supplying power to the household;

receive a second current value corresponding to a current in a second line supplying power to the household;

detect a voltage value of the power received from the outlet; and

calculate power consumption by integrating with respect to time the sum of the voltage value multiplied by the first current value and the negative of the voltage value multiplied by the second current input.

10. A device as set forth in claim 9, further comprising a user interface.

11. A method of measuring power consumption of a two-phase power distribution system having a distribution panel, the method comprising:

measuring a first current value associated with a first power line supplying power to the distribution panel;

measuring a second current value associated with a second power line supplying power to the distribution panel;

measuring a voltage value of either the first or second power line via an outlet connected to said first or second line via the distribution panel; and

calculating power consumption based on the first current, the second current and the single voltage value.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the calculating includes taking an integral with respect to time of the sum of the products of the voltage value and the first current value and the product of the negative of the voltage value and the second current value.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising communicating information related to power consumption to a remote device via a communication interface.