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Re: [LUG] Use your RasPI to monitor your electricity meter

 

On Thu, 10 Apr 2014, Tremayne, Steve wrote:

Now, if I just wrap enough cable around the incoming supply, I wonder if I can run the Pi off the induced current from the house....

In theory, doing it that way doesn't gain you anything - as the interface uses just the same power that would be used via a linear power supply anyway.

Unless you connect it before the meter, but that would be illegal...

It's also possible to leech off overheard wires too - but I do recall someone being prossecuted for that. Can't find it though. Ah, this has something: http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=9291

One thing I did see many years ago was a small NiCd battery charger than connected between neutral and earth... There's usually some potential difference there - enough to rectify, regulate and take some current off.

The down-sides of todays wiring is earth leakage circuit breakers which puts paid to taking more than a few mA that way now.

Gordon

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