I'm presently involved with a significant domestic energy meter monitoring project here in NZ,& have run across a clever webcam based approach just released by the UK crowd Calc-Electric =><A href='http://www.calc-electric.com/cehome.htm ' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>. OK-it seems to be needing an always on PC + USB cable snake thru' the house, but the motion detecting abilities look both innovative & safe compared with clamping the switchboard phase wire using a popular (Oz./NZ) "Centameter" <A href='http://www.centameter.com.au/products.htm ' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a> or the likes of the "ironmongery" shown gathered <A href='http://www.bigdry.orcon.net.nz/7meters.jpg ' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>. Naturally a wireless webcam could reduce cable clutter, but then power supplies may be an issue.
Quite a few DIY optical sensing approaches have been found use already <A href='http://offog.org/code/electricity.html ' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a> etc( Mmm-looks Picaxable & even 433 MHz wireless?) but the appropriate tech. nature of cheapo webcams certainly appeals, especially given the program is presently just UK £2.
Any opinions/experiences? Stan
Edited by - manuka on 08/08/2007 10:49:00
Quite a few DIY optical sensing approaches have been found use already <A href='http://offog.org/code/electricity.html ' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a> etc( Mmm-looks Picaxable & even 433 MHz wireless?) but the appropriate tech. nature of cheapo webcams certainly appeals, especially given the program is presently just UK £2.
Any opinions/experiences? Stan
Edited by - manuka on 08/08/2007 10:49:00