Power & Energy Meters
Devices that measure power output and energy consumption in electrical systems are called power and energy meters. They provide the basic—but highly critical—data needed for optimizing energy use and improving energy efficiency. Power meters work by providing an accurate measurement of voltage, current, and power output in real time, which allows the user to see how an electrical device or system is performing at any given moment. Energy meters, by contrast, cumulate and express the total energy consumed over a certain period of time, usually in a form that is accessible and meaningful to the user.
Most power meters measure power in either single-phase or three-phase systems. Some models even allow for basic power measurements in four-wire systems. Because power calculations can become quite complicated, especially in installations with lots of nonlinear loads, energy meters help their users keep track of system performance. Most energy meters used in industrial, commercial, or residential faculties give a pretty clear account of how efficient a system is by measuring just how much energy is being consumed. This allows for some insight into not only energy usage but also potential energy savings and cost reductions.
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