Design and implementation of a domestic energy monitoring and control system base on AC power line carriers

Abstract

The yaka metering system allows consumers to manage and control their electricity usage. This is simply due to its visual and digital nature which is an easy way to disseminate information in terms of, how much electricity is used for how long and at what cost. This project therefore, provides a tool that can tell consumers more details about their energy consumption with regard to how much electrical energy is used per load and provides them with full time switching control of such loads to improve on their consumption behavior. The system comprises of a system of electronic devices that can be installed parallel to the domestic electrical installation and is based on power line carrier technology. The energy consumed by the connected loads and their on/off state was displayed on a 3.2” TFT screen based on the current readings from the designated current sensors. Texts over GSM were used by the user to obtain the state (on or off) of the loads and to switch the loads remotely. Power line carrier modules were used to encrypt and decrypt the switching signal onto and from the Alternating Current channel. The loads were then switched by relays that were controlled by slave microcontrollers that interfaced with the decrypting power line carrier modules.