Apparatus and method for measuring power consumption

A power consumption measurement apparatus includes a power meter, a multi-meter, and a data collector. The power meter obtains first power consumption data indicative of the power supplied from an AC power supply to an AC-to-DC converter. The multi-meter obtains second power consumption data indicative of the power consumed by each of loads. The data collector synchronously collects the first power consumption data from the power meter and the second power consumption data from the multi-meter. A method for measuring power consumption is also provided.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from China Patent Application No. 201210578344.1, filed on Dec. 27, 2012 in the State Intellectual Property Office of China. The contents of the China Application are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure generally relates to measurement apparatuses and methods, and particularly relates to apparatuses and methods for measuring power consumption.

2. Description of Related Art

Many energy-efficiency programs, such as the Energy Star program, have been developed to identify and promote energy efficient products. The power consumption of an electronic product is of vital importance to designers and consumers. Energy efficiency of an electronic product is a yardstick for evaluation of a product being designed and a factor in the consumers' willingness to purchase the product. However, conventional power consumption measurement may be inefficient and inaccurate.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows one embodiment of a power consumption measurement apparatus. The power consumption measurement apparatus includes an AC power supply10, an AC-to-DC converter20, a plurality of loads30, a power meter40, a multi-meter50, a data collector60, a main controller70, and a monitoring device80.

The AC power supply10may output an AC voltage to the AC-to-DC converter20. The AC voltage supplied from the AC power supply10may be adjusted to have different voltage value and different frequency.

The AC-to-DC converter20converts the AC voltage to one or more DC voltages. For example, the AC-to-DC converter20can convert an AC 220V voltage to three DC 12V voltages. The AC-to-DC converter20outputs the converted DC voltage to the plurality of loads30.

The power meter40measures the power supplied from the AC power supply10to the AC-to-DC converter20.

The multi-meter50measures the power consumed by each of the loads30. The multi-meter50measures a DC voltage and a DC current output to each of the loads30and calculates the power consumed by each of the loads30by multiplying the DC voltage and the DC current.

The data collector60is connected to the power meter40, the multi-meter50and the power supply10. The data collector60synchronously collects the power consumption data from the power meter40and the multi-meter50and the AC voltage data from the AC power supply10.

The main controller70is connected to the data collector60and the AC power supply10. The main controller70obtains the power consumption data and the AC voltage data from the data collector60. The main controller70may adjust the AC power supply10to output an AC voltage with different voltage value and frequency to the AC-to-DC converter20.

In some embodiments, the main controllers70transmits collection setting parameters to the data collector60. The collection setting parameters can include, for example, collection frequency and collection duration.

The monitoring device80is connected to the main controller70. In one embodiment, the monitoring device80is connected to the main controller70via an IP network. The monitoring device80may obtain the power consumption data and the AC voltage data from the main controller70.

FIG. 2shows a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for measuring power consumption. The method includes the following steps.

In step S201, the AC power supply10outputs an AC voltage to the AC-to-DC converter20.

In step S202, the AC-to-DC converter20converts the AC voltage to DC voltages. The AC-to-DC converter20outputs the converted DC voltages to the plurality of loads30.

In step S203, the power meter40measures the power supplied from the AC power supply10to the AC-to-DC converter20.

In step S204, the multi-meter50measures the power consumed by each of the loads30. The multi-meter50measures a DC voltage and a DC current output to each of the loads30and calculates the power consumed by each of the loads30by multiplying the DC voltage and the DC current.

In step S205, the main controllers70transmits collection setting parameters to the data collector60. The collection setting parameters can include, for example, collection frequency and collection duration.

In step S206, the data collector60synchronously collects the power consumption data from the power meter40and the multi-meter50and the AC voltage data from the AC power supply10according to the collection setting parameters.

In step S207, the main controller70obtains the power consumption data and the AC voltage data from the data collector60.

In step S208, the main controller70adjusts the AC power supply10to output an AC voltage with different voltage value and frequency to the AC-to-DC converter20.

Although numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

In particular, depending on the embodiment, certain steps or methods described may be removed, others may be added, and the sequence of steps may be altered. The description and the claims drawn for or in relation to a method may give some indication in reference to certain steps. However, any indication given is only to be viewed for identification purposes, and is not necessarily a suggestion as to an order for the steps.