Introduction

A Smart Energy Meter is an advanced version of the traditional energy meter, which can provide real-time data on energy consumption, making it easier to monitor and manage electricity usage. By interfacing a current sensor with an Arduino and displaying the results on an LCD, you can create a simple yet effective Smart Energy Meter. This project is ideal for monitoring household or industrial energy consumption and ensuring efficient energy usage.

Working Principle

The Smart Energy Meter works by measuring the current passing through a load using a current sensor. The sensor outputs a signal proportional to the current, which the Arduino reads. The Arduino then processes this signal to calculate the power consumption and displays it on an LCD screen.

The current sensor generates an analog signal that the Arduino converts into a digital value using its analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The Arduino then uses this value to calculate the current in amperes and, subsequently, the power consumption in watts. This information is displayed in real-time on an LCD screen, providing an easy-to-read interface for monitoring energy usage.

Things We Need

Before we proceed, let’s gather the components required for building the Smart Energy Meter:

1. Arduino Uno or compatible microcontroller board.
2. Current sensor (e.g., ACS712).
3. LCD display (16×2 with I2C Module).
4. Breadboard and jumper wires.
5. Resistors if needed
6. Power Supply

Circuit Diagram

Working of the System with Arduino

1. Sensing Current : The current sensor (ACS712) measures the electrical current flowing through the circuit. This sensor provides analog data to the Arduino for processing.
2. Data Processing: Arduino calculates the instantaneous power consumption by multiplying the current and voltage readings. It then accumulates this data over time to calculate energy usage. The Arduino updates this information continuously.
3. Display on LCD: The energy consumption data is displayed on the LCD screen in real-time, allowing users to monitor their energy usage conveniently.

Code

Here’s a simplified example of Arduino code for the Smart Energy Meter:

Please refer to :

• How to Connect an LCD with I2C Module

#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>

LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);

const int sensorPin = A0; // Pin where the current sensor is connected
const float calibrationFactor = 0.185; // Calibration factor for ACS712-05B
float sensorValue = 0;
float current = 0;
float voltage = 230; // Assume a constant voltage supply
float power = 0;

void setup() {
  lcd.begin();
  lcd.backlight();
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(sensorPin, INPUT);
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd.print("Smart Energy Meter");
  delay(2000);
}

void loop() {
  sensorValue = analogRead(sensorPin);
  current = (sensorValue - 512.0) * calibrationFactor;
  power = voltage * current;

  lcd.clear();
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd.print("Current: ");
  lcd.print(current, 3);
  lcd.print(" A");
  
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print("Power: ");
  lcd.print(power, 3);
  lcd.print(" W");
  
  Serial.print("Current: ");
  Serial.print(current, 3);
  Serial.print(" A, ");
  Serial.print("Power: ");
  Serial.print(power, 3);
  Serial.println(" W");

  delay(1000);
}

Conclusion

You have now successfully built a Smart Energy Meter that measures and displays real-time energy consumption on an LCD screen. This project provides a practical way to monitor electricity usage, making it easier to manage and reduce energy costs. The concepts learned here can be extended to more advanced projects, such as integrating with IoT platforms for remote monitoring and data logging. Experiment with different sensors and display options to customize your Smart Energy Meter further.