Meter options for a 16A commando socket?

[HappyHippyDad]

My customer has a 16A commando socket in their garage. The garage is rented out and used as a kiln room. It does have a separate CU in it.

He has asked if the power usage of the commando socket can be monitored. Not just a live reading, but a cumulative reading (as a normal meter would do).

I have found this SU2 16A 1 Way Metered Static Caravan Hook Up Point - https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/1902022-su2-16a-1-way-metered-static-caravan-hook-up-point?gclid=CjwKCAiAxp-ABhALEiwAXm6IyYzo4dfhVXIZRR41k615H5ABmKgjM11H6oO5zkz93j79eeK6AdKXKRoCo9AQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

but I cant quite see where the meter part is, or if it keeps on ongoing record of the power useage.

I will suggest to the customer a normal meter put before the whole CU, but he may well be asking for just the commando socket as certain outside lights may be attached to it and therefore shouldn't be paid for by the person renting.

Does anyone know of a product that would work here?

 

[telectrix]

the reading is the LCD screen. for some unknown reason the meter is fitted on it's side

 

[brianmoooore]

for some unknown reason the meter is fitted on it's side

It's DIN rail mounted. I have a few in use around here, monitoring various things.
If there's room in the CU, you could obtain and fit one to record the total consumption.
The alternative is a standard meter, such as you have for your DNO supply, available on ebay, etc., for around £20, mounted beside the CU, with the meter tails going into the CU

 

[7029 dave]

Have seen similar,DIN rail mounted for PV metering

 

[snowhead]

Not exactly the one linked above but similar

 

[bill01803]

I would steer clear of a socket with a kiln on it, all that damp clay and rcds don't mix

 

[HappyHippyDad]

The Din rail mounted meter looks good. How does it work? The kiln will be on a 20A MCB, how do you get the meter to just show the current from that breaker if they are both on the same busbar?

For example the DDS238-1 looks like it has a live in and a live out (which goes to the load), but I need it to also go through a 20A mcb on the same busbar for overload protection

 

[telectrix]

The Din rail mounted meter looks good. How does it work? The kiln will be on a 20A MCB, how do you get the meter to just show the current from that breaker if they are both on the same busbar?

For example the DDS238-1 looks like it has a live in and a live out (which goes to the load), but I need it to also go through a 20A mcb on the same busbar for overload protection

put the meter after the MCB.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

put the meter after the MCB.

But they are still on the same busbar! Do you mean to put the meter in a separate enclosure?

 

[brianmoooore]

By a remarkable coincidence, I've just installed one of these DIN rail mounting meters this afternoon.
Mounted at the end furthest from the main switch, busbar cut back to clear it.
Three connections to it - a neutral, a live in from the MCB, and a live out to the load.
There are also two other connections that give a pulse output for remote monitoring.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

By a remarkable coincidence, I've just installed one of these DIN rail mounting meters this afternoon.
Mounted at the end furthest from the main switch, busbar cut back to clear it.
Three connections to it - a neutral, a live in from the MCB, and a live out to the load.
There are also two other connections that give a pulse output for remote monitoring.

I see! You just cut the last bit of the busbar off. Yes, that is a coincidence ?
Thanks Brian, that all makes sense. Did you fit the DDs238-1 or another model? If another model could you send a link please. Also, I'm guessing this gives cumulative power used, not just live power?

 

[brianmoooore]

The one I've fitted came in a Rolec box, and is definitely cumulative. It uses old fashioned rotating drums with numbers printed on them, not this LCD stuff, but I'm sure the 'modern' ones still display a cumulative total the same. You just can't read it when the power's off.

 

[Flanders]

Just checking are you protecting a 16 amp socket with a 20 amp mcb . I would use a 20 amp rotary isolator instead of the socket. Other wise you would you would need a 16 amp mcb and rcd protection for the socket outlet

 

[brianmoooore]

Last time I checked, which admittedly was some time ago, the max. fuse rating for a 16A socket was 20A.

 

[Flanders]

Last time I checked, which admittedly was some time ago, the max. fuse rating for a 16A socket was 20A.

I did not know this where did you get this information from

 

[brianmoooore]

Probably the regs., a few versions back.

 

[Flanders]

Probably the regs., a few versions back.

So is it still permitted today . Or is it in the manufacturing instructions ? I always thought the max permitted load of a 16amp socket was 16 amps

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Just checking are you protecting a 16 amp socket with a 20 amp mcb . I would use a 20 amp rotary isolator instead of the socket. Other wise you would you would need a 16 amp mcb and rcd protection for the socket outlet

Quite right! I installed it ages ago, it would be a 16A MCB, don't know why I said 20A

 

[brianmoooore]

15th edition says "overcurrent protective device not exceeding 20A" for BS4343 16A sockets on a final radial circuit.
Can't find anything in the 16th or 17th saying one way or the other for BS4343/EN6039

 

[UKMeterman]

I think the assumption is the 20A breaker will provide short circuit protection and the load by design will not overload beyond 16A. As regard meters try sometthing like P01330740 | Chauvin Arnoux Energy Memo 1 Phase LCD Digital Power Meter with Pulse Output, Type | RS Components - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/energy-meters/1744211/ in a box from RS or farnell.

 

[brianmoooore]

Yes, a load connected by a 16A plug should not exceed 16A. There's no reason why the final radial circuit should only have one 16A socket on it, and in use at the same time.