CurrentCost IAM device

Posted by : S

Minggu, 21 Agustus 2011

Inspired by the success of my bridged energy monitor which enables me to publish to and access data from the web, I decided to also get an IAM. CurrentCost is a household energy monitor, which uses wireless technology to communicate with an inductive 'clamp' installed around the mains electricity cable in my meter box (see other currentCost post).

Recently the bridge enables the display to post data to the web. The IAM is a small unit resembling an electrical plug with a socket on the back. Basically you unplug a piece of equipment in your house, plug it into the IAM and plug the IAM into the wall socket. What it does is enable you to monitor individual appliances in your household using the CurrentCost display, in addition to the whole household. My Display supports up to 9 IAMs in addition to the primary function of displaying the total household consumption.

I've always been a bit mystified as to why my background usage never falls much below 300 watts. Even while on holiday, the house would routinely be using 400-500 watts. No lights or TV were left on , nor heating. I thought the IAM might give me some insight into different appliances behaviour i.e fridge/freezers.

NOTE : Currently the Bridge cannot export IAM data to the web but this is being addressed by the new bridge Mk II renamed netsmart.