Method, system and apparatus for monitoring and measuring power usage by a device
A system and method for remotely monitoring, measuring and controlling power to an electrically powered device is disclosed herein. The system preferably comprises an apparatus, an electrically-powered device and a controller. The apparatus preferably comprises a cord, an alternating current outlet socket, an alternating current input plug, an electro-mechanical relay, a processor and a transceiver. The system preferably uses a WiFi communication signal to transmit commands from the remote controller to the apparatus.
1. A method for monitoring and controlling electrical power to an electrically-powered device, the method comprising:
monitoring and measuring a power usage of an electrically powered device connected to an apparatus;
transmitting the power usage of the electrically powered device to a remote controller;
transmitting a command from the remote controller over a network, the command to disable power to the electrically powered device;
receiving the command at a transceiver of the apparatus;
communicating the command from the transceiver to a processor of the apparatus;
switching an electro-mechanical relay from an enabling state to a disabling state to disable power to the electrically powered device, the electro-mechanical relay receiving instructions from the processor to switch from an enabling state to a disabling state;
transmitting a response to the remote controller from the transceiver of the apparatus, the response updating the status of the electrically powered device; and
receiving the response from the apparatus over the network at the remote controller.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the remote controller is a smartphone.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the remote controller is a personal computer.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the network is the Internet.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the remote controller is located in a different office of a building where the at least one apparatus is located.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the remote controller is located in a first building and wherein the at least one apparatus is located in a different building.
7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising storing the power usage data by one of hour, day, week, month and year.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the system utilizes an 802.11 communication format.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the system utilizes 802.11.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the electrically-powered device is one of a vending machine, a computer, a monitor, a television, a printer, a lamp and a radio.
11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the command is automatically sent at a predetermined time of day.
12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the command is automatically sent in response to a request to load change demand.