Power Audit

Give a contract to an Energy management company.

Hi..im well aware that there are people who would carry the power audit for me..however i would like to make a pre-audit checklist that can help me to do on site...So would like to know what paramters or points i need to add or put in the checklist..

As a first step install a power analyser/datalogger in your Main Incoming Switchboard and go through the recorded readings,from which you will know loading pattern. Subsequently you can measure same in various sections of your installations and adjust load-schedule for energy savings.

You have the outline from Lyn... (GA).... study it carefully

Note power quality section..... you might want to get your own PQA on your supply first, just to see, if your intentions are to use a company to complete the audit, it is always good to know what they might reveal.... and then you will need to study the data.

However, it will be pointless if you do not have the funds to follow up on the audit results, that is, buying harmonic mitigation units, etc.... getting folk to switch off lights and computers every night.... and all that stuff.

However best of luck and I am sure you will be impressed with the results of the audit, as many people don't really know how much money they really waste, and how much can be saved.

First you have to define your objectives in carrying out this audit and then you can decide the methodology.Unless you know what you want to achieve you cannot evaluate the results.

don't tell me I know.. the OP now knows after reading the info in the link provided by Lyn.

My question did you follow the link and read the info?

Hopefully I have understood what you want, - a method of finding out what happens with energy usage in your building? - btw I read the link from answer one and agree with answer eight (Brich) so my answer is as usual on base principles and info. Why I have the hide to answer your question is that I am a Renewable Energy System Designer, specialising in Stand-Alone systems. Stand-Alone systems are much more rigorous than Power Audits for Grid connect in that it is dollars per watt/hour/day one is dealing with. So, what I do is ask my customers what Appliances they are using, and for how long, (average over a week) per day they use them for. - This gives me their Energy Budget, and from that I can proceed to supply Solar Panels, Wind Turbines batteries etc. - I can't see it would be that much different for you, although more complex due to so many people, - but each would be able to do their appliances, and time of usage, - keep it simple, then you would have the communal ones, - lights, fridges, etc. - as fridges are a big user and intermittent, you might want to put in some of those plug in meters on each fridge, - they only cost $30; or so, an electrical wholesaler would likely give a good price on a semi bulk buy. You could set up a bit of a reading the overall meter every hour job for someone, - reading the meter from the electrical company I mean. that would give you info about how much power is being used overall and when. I suspect that in an office, you will have lots of computers and fluoro lights, giving you a negative power factor, you may, after looking at all the appliances and times from the forms your workers fill in find you need an active power factor corrector to be installed at your meter, there is lots of info on power factor on the net. Computers can be tricky also as they usually use a lot more power when they are "thinking" so a quick question on usage may help there "do you use your computer mainly for typing' or you may know what they are used for in your office. If you have other problems, like loss of supply, poor grid quality, etc. that is a different problem, but all the info you gather for your energy budget will still be of enormous benefit for the Auditor, if you still need one, I would shy away from the excessively wordy ones, - unless you are having supply problems it is not rocket science, and a lot can be done reasonably cheaply, - push button time switches for occasionally used places, energy efficient appliances, turning off the computers (all the way) when the office finishes at night, - that sort of thing. Hope that helps. Geoff Thomas.

Thank u Guys..i did read the link (Lyn)..its very informative..and thank u "Lookfar" for more info on the same..As i said in my discussion..im trying to make a checklist or template, that can help me carry a electrical audit in a location..since im in the process of making one..ill share it with u guys wen done in the mean time..if u can also make a checklist/template and share.