How to Measure Watt Hours & Induction

In Physics, electrical current is the flow of charge through a system; energy is defined as the ability to do work; and power is the amount of electrical energy measured in kilowatts used over time. Residential customers are billed for their kilowatt-hour usage of energy. When voltage is created across a conductor in a changing magnetic field, the process is called electromagnetic induction. Electric meters and electro-mechanical induction meters are used to measure kilowatt-hours.

• 1
  Plug the electric meter into an appliance to measure its electricity usage. The display will show you the amount of power being used in kilowatt-hours. Leave the appliance plugged in for a period of time. Read the display to get the total number of kilowatt-hours used during that time. Repeat the measurement for all the major appliances in your home to get a sense of what uses the most electricity.
• 2
  Connect the electro-mechanical induction meter to the first appliance used in step 1. Measure the number of kilowatt-hours used over the same period of time by reading the display and compare the value to Step 1. You should have a similar reading. Repeat the process for all the appliances in your home.
• 3
  Regulate your electricity bill by decreasing the use of your appliances that use the most power. Switch off any surge protectors that are connected to appliances that are not in constant use.