Electricity consumption monitoring
A clamp-on current sensor around the main wire measures consumption live and separates each appliance's usage, showing where the bill actually goes.
The problem
Homeowners see the bill amount without knowing where the consumption comes from: which appliances use the most, and at what times of day it peaks. Without that information, attempts to save remain guesswork.
How it works
- MeasurementAn SCT-013 sensor clamped around the main wire measures the current, and a voltage module measures the grid voltage.
- AccountThe ESP32 calculates real power and energy consumed moment by moment.
- RecognitionThe system detects jumps in power when appliances turn on or off, and matches them to the appliance by its signature.
- DisplayThe screen shows current consumption and its estimated cost.
- UploadReadings are uploaded to a web dashboard showing consumption by appliance and hour.
- AlertsAn alert is sent when consumption exceeds a user-set limit, or when an appliance is left running for no reason.
Project features
- A non-contact clamp sensor that allows safe installation without cutting wires.
- Analysis that separates appliances' consumption based on each one's usage signature.
- An alert when a set monthly limit is exceeded.
- A tangible result in dinars that's easy to present.
Parts
All the parts you need in one place. Remove what you already have, and swap parts to fit your budget. Parts with a photo are available in our store at their current price.
Prices are estimates and may change. Parts marked “other supplier” are ordered outside our main store.
Expected challenges
These are the main obstacles to expect during the build, laid out clearly so you know them before you start.
- Working near the main electrical panel is dangerous and requires safety precautions.
- Calibrating the current and voltage sensors to get an accurate power value.
- Identifying appliances from a single wire is hard when several run at the same time.
- The power factor differs from one appliance to another and affects the calculation.
- Electrical noise affects the ESP32's ADC reading.
The consultation gives you a solution for each one.
Expected committee questions
Prepare your answers in advance: these questions come up often in defenses of similar projects.
- How is real power calculated from current and voltage, and what role does the power factor play?
- How was each appliance's consumption separated despite measuring a single wire?
- The SCT-013 sensor doesn't touch the wire, so how does it measure current?
- What safety precautions were taken while working on the main panel?
Students' experiences
Add a comment on the idea: +2 points. Or share your experience with photos of your build: +10 points. Every 50 points become a JD 5 discount voucher on parts orders.
Need solutions to the challenges and a complete technical path?
In the consultation we give you a solution for each challenge above, plus a practical build plan from the first step to the last: technologies, libraries, wiring diagram, timeline, and tips for the defense.
- Consultation session
- PDF with solutions and a plan
- 20 د.أ فقط