Determine power draw from electrical circuit

[vitoprimo]

Are there any meters I can plug into a household power outlet to determine the power being drawn from that circuit in realtime?

Ideally I'd like a meter that plugs into a household electrical outlet and has a female 3 prong connector so that I can plug devices into it.

Vito

 

[Viper GTS]

Kill-A-Watt

Viper GTS

 

[TGS]

multimeter?

 

[Eli]

Yes, such a device exists.. and they are very handy.

It will not tell you the entire circuit load, just the load of the device plugged into the meter.

It's called a Kill-A-Watt.

The best price I've been able to find on them is on eBay.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Kill-A-Watt

Viper GTS

That's a very good price.

 

[Kelemvor]

Can get those things at any home improvement store. Normally $30-$40 or so.

 

[vitoprimo]

Originally posted by: Eli
Yes, such a device exists.. and they are very handy.

It will not tell you the entire circuit load, just the load of the device plugged into the meter.

So if the device plugged into the meter is a power strip then the meter will indicate the total load on the strip, right?

Oh, I assume it's OK to plug devices like a power strip into these meter. True?

 

[vitoprimo]

Whoa! That was quick.

The device listed has a maximum rated current of 15 amps. Do any devices exist for 20 amp circuits?

 

[Tylanner]

touch it