What I use to measure device power consumption (and what you should be using instead)

As part of my job, I test a lot of equipment that is mains-powered (or wall-powered), and one of the tests I do is power consumption. I have a lot of questions about the tools I use for this task, so here I will outline the tools I use, why I use them, why you probably shouldn’t use them, and what you should use instead.

There are many different devices you can buy to measure power consumption, ranging from very cheap to very expensive.

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a few years ago, i picked up a Hopi HP-9800m from eBay, It costs from $50 to $70 (the cost fluctuates daily), and when it’s put in a few years of service, from a safety perspective, it’s a little… less.

The socket – which is the type that accepts all types of plugs – is metal work, live at mains voltage that can be easily touched, with speaker connectors that can be reused as connectors have been done, highlighting the bits that remain at mains voltage.

Those speaker connectors also make it impossible to fit UK plugs, so I have to use an adapter.

But I know the nature of the beast, take care when I am using it and unplug the device when done. One big plus point: That display is nice and clear, and easy to read (though flickers a bit when viewed through the camera).

The other day, I got a new meter called AnTai ATX.9801.

where did i get this tool AliExpress for around $50And while it’s visually identical to the Hopi unit (I’m not sure if it’s an upgraded version, a clone, the original product, or something else), this device appears to be an upgrade.

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I find this unit works more reliably with certain loads, and is much better from a safety point of view. For example, the sockets have covers over the live metalwork, and the front-facing speaker connectors are gone.

Again, it has a nice, clear display.

It’s a nice unit – but, once again, it’s not something I’d just leave plugged in.

A better option for most home users is a plug-in electricity meter.

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There are a lot of them on the market, and you can pick up a good one for as little as $15. i have tried and tested it And it seems to be doing everything, including measuring power (W), energy consumption (kWh), volts, amps, power frequency, power factor, and minimum and maximum power usage (W).

And if you input how much your electricity costs per kWh, this unit will show you real-time data on how much it’s costing you to run.

This meter also has additional features, such as overload protection and even a memory that retains power consumption data when unplugged. This is a really nice all round power meter. It’s a great unit, and much safer for home users.

So, why do I keep using my sketchy power meters? The bottom line is convenience – these units show everything I need to see on the display at once, without me needing to press buttons or flick between screens, and the socket will take anything I plug into it. do (unless it’s my fingers).