On Apr 25, 1:19*am, "John Gilmer" wrote:
"peter" wrote in message

news:xU2Qj.6869$i45.1545@trndny01...

I'd like to be more aware of the current draw in my house.

Just step outside and observe your electric meter. * If's the old style
electro-mechanical type you just take your watch and measure how many
revolutions the "wheel" makes in, say, 15 second. * Write that down. * If
you look carefully, you might find a number on the meter that converts
revolution to energy.

If you have a 100% electronic meter it should cycle around with one display
showing instant energy consumption.

Otherwise you have to use a current transformer (a clamp on ampmeter
includes a CT) and an AC ampmeter.

** Posted fromhttp://www.teranews.com**

If in North America one normally has two 115 volt 'legs' that must be
measured to determine the current draw.
For example one may at any one time have lights and apparatus switched
on that are on leg A. Then at perhaps other times circuits that are on
leg B. So both have to be measured/recorded.
Heavier 230 volt appliances, such as clothes dryers, cooking stoves
and electric heat use leg A and leg B. So the current could be
measured twice!
The electrcity meter does this on behalf of the power utility.
Trying to measure current without using the proper (and code
compliant) apparatus sounds like a rather useless exercise?
maybe the simplest is read the meter and/or invest in one of those
devices (battery powered AIUI) that clamp onto the meter and transmit
information to a battery powered unit inside the house.
Congratulate the OP on cultivating an awareness of which appliances
use most power and when they are on; but some so called 'economies'
are meaningless.
For example many homes here use electric heating; so that the more
'efficient' appliances or CFL lamps that today do not 'waste' as much
electricity as heat do not contribute to home heating. As a
consequence electric heating has to operate a little more in order to
warm the house so the same amount of kilowatt hours are used, whether
indirectly through 'inefficient' appliances/lights or directly through
electric heating.