Secondary electricity monitoring in garage

[MissPH]

Hi All

I have a converted garage used for dog grooming. The electrics are run from the house into the garage, onto a separate switch unit that only covers the garage. Can anyone advise if it is possible to add a secondary electric meter in the garage that will record the electricity used? I'm currently using simplified expenses to report earnings for universal credit but I am fairly certain I'm using more than the maximum amount I can claim.
Thanks!

 

[ebee]

Well you could always buy a credit meter yourself and wire it into any circuit(s) you want to.
They are available usually as reconditoined units.
I have fitted one or two in the past at peoples request say for running a business or renting a property.
Note - if you are charging somebody money etc to use your electricity you are not allowed to charge them any more than it costs you.

 

[MissPH]

Thanks. I am the only person using the electrics. I just need something that I can take readings from on a weekly or monthly basis to work out how much I'm spending so I can report accurate figures for universal credit and self assessment.

 

[ebee]

Example https://metersuk.co.uk/products/single-phase-electric-the-tiny/

On the other hand you could adapt one of those plug in energy monitors if you are only using a very small load - say 13A max at any one time, they might give a useful guide as you could record the useage over a few days or weeks to get a "ball park figure".
Whichever way you go do not deem them to be 100% accurate, just 95% or less at the very very best . They can miss out very small loads completly so you might be best working out what you expect to be an intelligent guess anyway.

 

[ericmark]

The unit @ebee shows is what I have to show solar export, but also have a CT coil that shows on PC what I am importing and exporting. They seem to show the same, but in theroy the clamp on does not show variations due to varying voltage, however require no wiring up.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Search for
Electric Meter
On Fleabay. You can get pre-loved meters for £10-15.

 

[ebee]

caveat emptor​

 

[bsr]

Do you have a consumer unit (aka fuse box) in the garage? If so you can fit one of these:

SDM120DB-MID Digital Single Phase Meter

The SDM120DB is a basic kWh meter with a fixed pulse output. This is a low cost solutionm for measutring low load circuits (45A rated) . All SDM120 meters are housed in a 1U Dinrail mounted housing. They also come complete with sealable terminal covers to stop any tampering with the connections...

www.jsgsolutions.co.uk

If not this is a good option:

Landis Gyr E100 5235 5196 Electricity Meter- 100amp Single Phase, Landlord, Zero | eBay

It has been fully tested and reset to ZERO and is in a great working condition.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[MissPH]

Do you have a consumer unit (aka fuse box) in the garage? If so you can fit one of these:

SDM120DB-MID Digital Single Phase Meter

The SDM120DB is a basic kWh meter with a fixed pulse output. This is a low cost solutionm for measutring low load circuits (45A rated) . All SDM120 meters are housed in a 1U Dinrail mounted housing. They also come complete with sealable terminal covers to stop any tampering with the connections...

www.jsgsolutions.co.uk

If not this is a good option:

Landis Gyr E100 5235 5196 Electricity Meter- 100amp Single Phase, Landlord, Zero | eBay

It has been fully tested and reset to ZERO and is in a great working condition.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thank you! Yes the garage has its own consumer unit. That's the sort of thing I'm looking for. I just wanted to know what I needed or was suitable before getting an electrician in who over eggs the job!

 

[ebee]

So a choice of options with different levels of use and procedures.
The world is your lobster