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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Non-Destructive Current Sensing for Energy Efficiency Monitoring in Buildings with Environmental Certification

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Author(s):
Moreira Mota, Lia Toledo [1] ; Mota, Alexandre de Assis [1] ; Coiado, Lorenzo Campos [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Pontifical Catholic Univ Campinas, CEATEC, BR-13086900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: SENSORS; v. 15, n. 7, p. 16740-16762, JUL 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

Nowadays, buildings environmental certifications encourage the implementation of initiatives aiming to increase energy efficiency in buildings. In these certification systems, increased energy efficiency arising from such initiatives must be demonstrated. Thus, a challenge to be faced is how to check the increase in energy efficiency related to each of the employed initiatives without a considerable building retrofit. In this context, this work presents a non-destructive method for electric current sensing to assess implemented initiatives to increase energy efficiency in buildings with environmental certification. This method proposes the use of a sensor that can be installed directly in the low voltage electrical circuit conductors that are powering the initiative under evaluation, without the need for reforms that result in significant costs, repair, and maintenance. The proposed sensor consists of three elements: an air-core transformer current sensor, an amplifying/filtering stage, and a microprocessor. A prototype of the proposed sensor was developed and tests were performed to validate this sensor. Based on laboratory tests, it was possible to characterize the proposed current sensor with respect to the number of turns and cross-sectional area of the primary and secondary coils. Furthermore, using the Least Squares Method, it was possible to determine the efficiency of the air core transformer current sensor (the best efficiency found, considering different test conditions, was 2%), which leads to a linear output response. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/51642-0 - RTI - 2012 - Annual application plan – institutional technical reserve – sensors network implementation
Grantee:Alexandre de Assis Mota
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Technical Reserve for Institutional Research Infrastructure