Quick question: Need a plug-in wattage meter

[sahively]

Hey friends,

I need a simple plug-in wattage meter (the type you plug into an a/c outlet and then plug the device you're measuring into). Does anyone have a go-to quality unit they can recommend? I see Amazon has 100+ from companies that all sound made up.

[pasdad1]

The kill-a-watt brand has always been my favorite.

[OkieSVT]

Kill-A-Watt. Amazon and other places.

[TripleGGG]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

The kill-a-watt brand has always been my favorite.

Attachment 382083

X2 for Kill-A-Watt. My favorite as well.

[wildtoad]

The the post above says…. If you have the right plug adapters you can plug into a standard outlet to check how much power you unit uses when simply plugged into power, no devices on.

[sahively]

Thanks all. I'll grab the Kill-o-watt.

[astrnmrtom]

Just one thing to note about the Kill-o-watt. I've read that even though they are rated for up to 15 amps, they can burn out if used with something like a electric heater even if it draws 12 amps. I've never used mine for large loads except for a quick test on a coffee maker which does draw 12 amps. I didn't leave it running while plugged into the meter, just did a test to see how many amps if used at various settings. I did the same thing with a couple electric heaters, only testing their draw so the meter was only under load for a short period of time. Don't know if the reported failures were from people leaving the meter between a heater and the outlet for extended periods of time.

[sahively]

Originally Posted by astrnmrtom

Just one thing to note about the Kill-o-watt. I've read that even though they are rated for up to 15 amps, they can burn out if used with something like a electric heater even if it draws 12 amps. I've never used mine for large loads except for a quick test on a coffee maker which does draw 12 amps. I didn't leave it running while plugged into the meter, just did a test to see how many amps if used at various settings. I did the same thing with a couple electric heaters, only testing their draw so the meter was only under load for a short period of time. Don't know if the reported failures were from people leaving the meter between a heater and the outlet for extended periods of time.

Some of my testing will be pretty close to 15 amps so we'll see.

"If it dies, it dies" ~ Ivan Drago (almost)

[Olyteddy]

Even though I do have a Kill-o-watt I use a split extension cord & an Amp Clamp most of the time. Especially for higher wattage loads.