New electricity meter with built-in data logger

Log, analyse and reduce power usage with Voltcraft's latest SEM5000 electricity meter, which can help businesses save energy. With the price of electricity, a major factor in business running costs is the ability to log the power consumption of electrical appliances. The new electricity meter is the ideal product, and the device is now available from Conrad Electronic.

The device operates as a complete standalone, meaning no Bluetooth or Wi-fi coverage is needed, eradicating the risk of being hacked and malware attacks.

"Usage data are stored on an SD card which keeps your company network secure," explains Susanne Storch, product manager at Conrad Electronic. "Moreover, the latest firmware is also rolled out using the SD card, which makes keeping the device up-to-date as easy as pie."

"Using the latest technology and quality components is the secret behind designing an accurate electricity meter with a built-in data logger," adds Storch.

The device is an in-line device to be placed between power outlets and appliances. The product logs amperage, voltage, electricity consumption, mains frequency and power factor, and all readings are displayed on screen. The data are logged in CSV format and can be readily transferred to any PC for analysis and visualisation in the form of charts etc. And if the user supplies the provider's energy tariffs, the device also shows the actual costs in the currency of choice.

The device doesn't just log power consumption but also helps show appliances are in good working order. It features a high-contrast EBTN display that increases readability in low-light conditions. Also, the screen has been specially created to be readable at angles between 90 degrees (frontal) and 170 degrees (looking down), as most mains outlets are installed below eye level. The meter is powered by a built-in supercapacitor instead of usual rechargeables or disposable batteries, making it green and essentially maintenance-free.