GB2203252A - Electricity consumption cost indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

An electricity consumption indicator (15) includes display means (19) for displaying the cost of the electricity consumed. The device (15) may be connected to a processor whereby different readings can be selected e.g. consumption to date, estimated future consumption, consumption per hour, using a series of buttons 22 to 26. Means (28, 29, 30) allow presetting of operational parameters, such as the price per unit. <IMAGE>

Description

"Electricity consumption indicator devices" This invention relates to devices which indicate consumption of electricity by monitoring the passage of electrical current and providing a visual read-out related to the consumption.

In the United Kingdom, as well as many other countries, the consumption of electricity is charged for by the company which provides the supply, and in order that the correct charge may be levied, a current monitoring meter is used. This is the property of the company which provides the supply, and is normally sealed, in order to prevent unauthorised tampering and thus fraud.

In such a system, the reading provided at the meter can be seen by the consumer, but only in terms of units of electricity used. The charge is levied on the basis of a cost per unit, which however varies in accordance with various circumstances.

If a consumer wishes to know the charge which has accumulated since the meter was read last, by a representative of the electricity supply company, a calculation must be made, using the meter reading.

The meter is normally fitted close to a distribution board, which usually incorporates fuses serving individual circuits within an establishment. It is evident that any measurement of consumption must be taken before such a distribution board, so that a record of the total consumption can be obtained.

It is the object of this invention to provide a device for indicating consumption of electricity which enables the consumer to establish the consumption in a particularly convenient manner.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an electricity consumption indicator device including an electrical input from a device for monitoring the flow of electricity in a circuit, and visual display means whereby a visual read-out can be obtained at least of the accumulation of electrical consumption in terms of cost thereof.

The visual display means may be a digital display connected to a processor whereby different readouts, related to consumption in electrical units or to monetary costs, can be selected. A series of buttons or other controls may therefore be provided to enable required read-out selections to be made.

Other read-outs may be provided also, including estimated consumption, and calculation of the period over which the indicated consumption has occurred.

The processor therefore, preferably has means for presetting the charge per unit of electricity, at the appropriate rate, and for setting an estimated rate of consumption.

Conveniently also, the device includes a means for monitoring the rate of consumption occurring at any time.

A memory can be provided for recording a previous period which has been monitored, but for which, for example, no charge has been levied. This is useful in view of the delay which occurs between the reading of the meter by the company representative and the arrival of a note of the charge levied.

A clock may conveniently also be incorporated in the device.

In a convenient arrangement there is an associated means for monitoring the current flow in the circuit to be monitored. This may be a device which can be mounted adjacent to a circuit without being directly connected in the circuit. This can conveniently be placed between a meter and a distribution board, and is mounted over 'the wiring between these units, to receive a signal from the wiring, directly related to current flow.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic layout of an electrical circuit and an electricity consumption indicator device constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the device, and Figures 3a to 3e show alternative settings of the device.

Figure 1 shows part of an electrical circuit which may, for example, be part of a domestic electricity supply system. This includes wiring 10 from an electrical supply source (not illustrated), and leading to a meter 11 whereby the consumption of electricity is recorded. The recording of such consumption of electricity is provided in the meter 11 as a visual read-out in terms of electrical units consumed. The meter records consumption of electricity by measuring the passage of current therethrough. A number of conventional types of meter may be used for this purpose, and in a supply system, the meter may be the property of the company through which electrical supplies are made.

Wiring 12 from the meter leads to a distribution board 13. This has a number of outlets indicated by wiring 14, leading to appliances or outlet sockets, in conventional manner. The distribution board conventionally incorporatesçsafety fuses, or other circuit breaking means.

The device which forms the subject of this invention comprises a display and control unit indicated at 15. Input wiring 16 to the unit leads from a device 17, which is arranged to monitor current flow through the wiring 12 between the meter 11 and the distribution board 13. This device 17 is of conventional kind, and is placed over the wiring 12 without breaking into it, though other current measuring devices may be substituted. The device 17 therefore provides an output signal which is directly related to current flow through the circuit wiring 12, and this forms the input to the unit 15.

The unit 15 includes a processor (not illustrated) which provides visual displays, and there are switches whereby the display can be changed as required.

As shown in Figure 2, the unit 15 comprises a box with the visual display and switches on the front thereof, and having an interior space to accommodate the processor. Wall mounting, or other suspension means (not illustrated) may be provided, and the length of the wiring 16 between the current monitoring device 17 and the unit 15 may be varied to suit individual requirements.

The front of the unit 15 has two visual display windows 18, 19. The window 18 is intended for the display of the time of the day, and there is a convenient legend 20 marked TIME to indicate that this section of the unit is a clock providing a digital display of the time.

The other window 19 has a subsidiary window 21 above it, in which can be displayed various legends to indicate the nature of the reading being displayed in the main window 19.

Below the windows 18, 19 are push button switches which may incorporate means whereby they are illuminated when switched to active positions. In Figure 2, the button marked TO DATE is shown illuminated, and this is accompanied by a corresponding 'TO DATE' legend in the subsidiary window 21 above the window 19. The display in the window 19 provides the appropriate reading, as will be described.

In this example, there are six buttons, 22 to 27, each having a corresponding indication: TO DATE, EST, NOW, PU, TIME, DAY. Above these buttons 22 to 27, are three further buttons 28, 29, 30, which can be used to set up standards or other readings in the visual display windows, and there is a further combined button and visual display window 31 which is a memory unit, the function of which will be further explained.

Figure 2 shows the clock operating to show a reading of 16.32 in the window 18. As shown, the button 22 has been pressed, and this provides a read-out in the window 19 which represents the consumption of electricity which has taken place since the last resetting of the device, but in terms of the cost thereof. Figure 3a shows the EST button pressed and the corresponding read-out in the window 19, which shows the cost of electricity consumption over a complete period for which the device is set, on an estimated basis. The word ESTIMATE appears in the subsidiary window 21.

Figure 3b shows the button 24 in its operative position. This provides a read-out. in the window 19 corresponding with the consumption of electricity during the past hour, and a legend THIS HOUR appears in the subsidiary window 21 over the window 19.

Pressing the button 25 provides a read-out showing the price per unit of electricity at the appropriate rate. The window 19 therefore has a read-out of the price per unit in fractions of a penny, or other unit as may be appropriate, and the subsidiary window 21 caries the legend PRICE PER UNIT.

The button 26, when switched to its operative position cancels all readings in the windows 19 and 21, so that the only display is that of the clock in the window 18.

The button 27 provides a read-out in the window 19 corresponding with the number of days which have elapsed since the last time that the device was re-set. A legend DAY appears in the.subsidiary window 21.

In use, the electricity consumption indicator device illustrated is connected as described, so that an input is provided which is directly related to the flow of current through the associated circuit to be monitored.

The clock, of which the numerals appear in the window 18, is constantly operational while power is applied to the unit.

The unit is intended to provide indications of the consumption of electricity in terms of cost, and it is intended to provide such indication over a fixed period which, in this example, is the 91 day period over which charges are generally levied for electricity consumed. It is therefore necessary to input certain factors to the processor, including the price per unit which obtains in the particular circuit being monitored, and this is done by means of the setting buttons 28, 29, 30. The 91 day cycle may also be set, though this cycle may be provided for in the processor, so that there may be no necessity for a specific operation to set this up.

An estimated reading can be obtained of the expected cost at the end of the current 91 day period, this being based on the cost at the time, for example, at the 41 day point as illustrated in the example in the drawings. It may therefore be necessary to set up the criteria whereby the estimate is calculated.

In use, the device may therefore be used to provide the following read-outs: 1. A clock.

2. The price of electricity consumed so far, since the resetting of the device at the beginning of the period.

3. An estimate of the cost of electricity which would normally be used in the current period.

4. The amount of consumption which has occurred in the last hour, or other period.

5. The price per individual unit.

6. The number of days which have elapsed since the beginning of the relevant period.

The combined switch and visual display window 31 may be used. to provide read-out of the consumption which occurred in the last 91 day period or part thereof. This is useful, particularly during the period between the taking of a reading by the representative of the electricity supply company and the rendering of the charge corresponding to the consumption during that period.11 The device may also include other functions whereby readings in other forms may be provided, such as the consumption of electricity in terms of units used.

The device may be placed conveniently for periodic operation, so that it is possible to monitor the electricity consumption over any period, and to enable the user to be aware of the expense which is being incurred.

Claims (11)

1. An electricity consumption indicator device including an electrical input from a device for monitoring the flow of electricity in a circuit, and visual display means whereby a visual read-out can be obtained at least of the accumulation of electrical consumption in terms of cost thereof.

2. An indicator device according to claim 1, in which the visual display means is a digital display connected to a processor whereby different read-outs, related to consumption in electrical units or to monetary costs, can be selected.

3. An indicator device according to claim 2, comprising a series of buttons or other controls to enable required read-out selections to be made.

4. An indicator device according to claim 2 or 3, in which other read-outs are also provided, including estimated consumption, and calculation of the period over which the indicated consumption has occurred.

4. An indicator device according to claim 4, in which the processor has means for presetting the charge per unit of electricity, at the appropriate rate, and for setting an estimated rate of consumption.

5. An indicator device according to any of the preceding claims, including a means for monitoring the rate of consumption occurring at any time.

6. An indicator device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a memory for recording information relating to a previous period which has been monitored.

7. An indicator device according to any of the preceding claims, in which a clock is incorporated in the device.

8. An indicator device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an associated means for monitoring the current flow in the circuit to be monitored.

9. An indicator device according to claim 8, in which the associated monmitoring means is a device which can be mounted adjacent to a circuit without being directly connected in the circuit.

10. An indicator device according to claim 9, in which the associated momnitoring means is placed between a meter and a distribution board, and is mounted over the wiring between these units, to receive a signal from the wiring, directly related to current flow.

11. An electricity consumption indicator device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.