Need device to monitor/report electrical usage based on KW/hour

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TechBoyJK

Lifer
Oct 17, 2002
16,699
60
91
Hi Guys,

I have to find a device that would be installed during a new circuit installation in our datacenter. It would need to be installed in front of a circuit so it would display the power usage based on kw/hour.

Typically, we simply provide a full 20amp/120volt circuit (or other type if needed) and we charge a flat rate for the circuit. Our price is based on 80% utilization. Typically, it is $250 per month per 120volt/20amp circuit. Keep in mind, this is redundant, clean, power with both battery backup and generator backup.

We have one potential customer that needs close to 12 20amp/208v circuits. However, they only plan to use 12-18% of each circuit's capacity, and it is going to fluctuate. They are getting bids from competitors to simply bill them according to actual usage, not on a flat rate per circuit.

I have to pitch to my boss today before 5pm how we would modify our billing to accomodate the client. I need to be able to show him a device, not specifically the exact one we would use, but as an example, what could be installed to report actual usage. The client is willing to buy the devices.

Any ideas? I'm checking out APC and Schneider Elec now.. but not quite finding anything yet.
 
Crusty

Crusty

Lifer
Sep 30, 2001
12,684
2
81
Just get a network enabled PDU for the racks and use SNMP to monitor them and build graphs for utilization.
 
bruceb

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
Are all their circuits in one place ? ?
Easiest way is install a feed from your main electric panel to a Utility Meter (same as the power co uses) and then from that to a sub panel. Run their branch circuits off that panel to where they need them. You do
not need to meter each individual circuit, just the feed to them. Any electrician can easily do this job.
 
M

Mark R

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,513
16
81
Any major electrical supplier will supply 'energy meters' of various sophistication - up to and including high-precision 3-phase meters with minute by minute logging and ethernet communications for downloading data.

However, lower-cost simple meters are readily available:
e.g. Schneider electric EN40. These mini-meters simply slot into a standard electrical panel - each meter takes up 2 breaker slots, allowing you to install up to 12 meters in one panel. (Just a note, I don't know how US electric friendly these Schneider meters are, being a French company and all).

You are best off contacting an electrical supplier to see what they can offer - this type of thing is pretty standard.
 
A

AlienCraft

Lifer
Nov 23, 2002
10,539
0
0
bruceb said:
Are all their circuits in one place ? ?
Easiest way is install a feed from your main electric panel to a Utility Meter (same as the power co uses) and then from that to a sub panel. Run their branch circuits off that panel to where they need them. You do
not need to meter each individual circuit, just the feed to them. Any electrician can easily do this job.
Click to expand...
This.
Sub panel with a meter. Any competant Electrical contractor can do this.
 
T

TechBoyJK

Lifer
Oct 17, 2002
16,699
60
91
AlienCraft said:
This.
Sub panel with a meter. Any competant Electrical contractor can do this.
Click to expand...

yup.. that's what we are doing.

the whole issue was that they needed a lot of circuits.. but were going to barely use them.

Regardless of how much they use, we still have to plan for their total capacity.

So if we provide them 200amps of capacity, and they only plan to use 20amps, we still need to consider the 200amps of potential usage there.

So we are going to install subpanels that can be capped and metered.
 
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