Energy management system based on wireless sensor networks and power line communications

Abstract

In this paper, we developed a power line communication (PLC) system design, power measurement sensor design, light sensor design, temperature sensor design, and the integration of these components into an advanced sensor network to allow for energy metering and environment monitoring. A power measurement sensor was implemented through a current and voltage sensing circuitry was interfaced multi-plug power adapter to allow for non-invasive measurement of power usage of appliances. The sensors produce signals corresponding to the drawn voltage and current, which are then sampled and processed to estimate power usage. The PLC communications operated at an average accuracy of 95%. The power measurement sensor had an accuracy of 92%, which made it appropriate for home user estimations. The light sensor had an accuracy of between 91-97%, which was suitable for home lighting measurement.