ROOM ELECTRICAL USAGE MEASUREMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND BUILDING ENVIRONMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
A system and method for gathering room electrical usage measurement data and transmitting it to a network location. The system comprises a plurality of magnetic field current sensors for sensing AC current traveling through a wire of an AC power cable associated with the electrical system of a room in a building. Each magnetic field current sensor produces an analog electrical measurement which is converted to digital measurement data for transporting over a network. At least one network is used to transport the measurement data produced by the pluralities of sensors to an external receiving device. The network can be wired (for example a multiple access electrical bus) or wireless. Additional sensors, for example temperature sensors, can also be accommodated.
1 . A system for gathering room electrical usage measurement data, the system comprising:
a plurality of magnetic field current sensors for distribution within a building, the magnetic field current sensors for sensing AC current traveling through a wire of an AC power cable associated with the electrical system of a room in a building, each magnetic field current sensor producing an analog electrical measurement;
an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for converting each analog electrical measurement into a corresponding digital value resulting in measurement data representing the associated analog electrical measurement; and
at least one network for transporting the measurement data to an external receiving device.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the external receiving device provides the measurement information to a system building information system.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field current sensor comprises a Rogowski coil.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field current sensor comprises a Hall-effect current sensor.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field current sensor comprises an arrangement other than a Rogowski coil.
6 . The system of claim 1 , the system is for monitoring the electrical current flowing through an electrical outlet.
7 . The system of claim 1 , the system is for monitoring the electrical current flowing through lighting system.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the network comprises a multi-tap electrical bus.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the network comprises a wireless network.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the network comprises a multiple access wireless network.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the network provides power to at least the ADC.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ADC is associated with a plurality of magnetic field current sensors.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ADC is associated with a sensor other than a magnetic field current sensor.
14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ADC is further associated with a temperature sensor so as to provide temperature sensing data.
15 . A method for gathering room electrical usage measurement data, the method comprising:
sensing AC current traveling through a wire of an AC power cable associated with an electrical system of a room in a building using a plurality of magnetic field current sensors distributed within the building, wherein the sensing comprises producing analog electrical measurements;
converting, using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), analog electrical measurements into corresponding digital values resulting in measurement data representing the associated analog electrical measurements; and
transporting the measurement data to an external receiving device using a network.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the external receiving device provides the measurement information to a system building information system.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the network comprises a wireless network.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the method is for monitoring the electrical current flowing through an electrical outlet.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the method is for monitoring the electrical current flowing through lighting system.
20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the ADC is further associated with a temperature sensor so as to provide temperature sensing data.