Smart Power Monitoring Plug

The device will be self-managed to provide some ‘Edge Computing’ capability and report back to our cloud platform. The project is in two parts. The first part is a basic ‘stand-alone’ device. The second part includes all the functions of Part-1 plus additional functions as described below. Please include recommendations for MCU type and supporting reasons. Part 1 – 110 ~ 240 VAC Remote Switch and Energy Monitor This device is intended to switch a 110 ~ 240 VAC Load and report the energy consumption of the Load back to our cloud platform via Wi-Fi, GPRS, or LoRa. The PCB will incorporate an RS-485 interface to provide a management capability of the Load or some other equipment associated with the load. The device will monitor the Load and report any abnormal operation such as over temperature or current, etc. a) Stalled - Normal operating current will be established. Increased current indicates a stall (in an electric motor) b) Dry-Run - As above but reduced current indicates dry-running in a water pump c) Run time, number of starts, average run time, etc will be recorded and reported to our cloud platform d) A phone APP will also be required to write the Wi-Fi credentials to the device as well as program various operating parameters. Additional options are, a) An analogue input to measure Load temperature. This would be achieved by fitting a thermistor inside the Load’s body and passing the signal back to the plug via a 4th wire in the mains power cable. A separate thermistor circuit will need to be developed to achieve this. b) A GPS module for geolocation purposes. (May not fit in a restricted enclosure) The device would connect to our cloud platform via Wi-Fi, LoRa, or GPRS when Wi-Fi is unavailable. The design concept calls for the device to be housed in either of two cases for differing applications. a) A three (3)-pin mains plug pack with a three (3)-pin ‘piggy-back’ socket to allow the standard three (3)-pin mains plug attached to the load to be inserted into the plug pack’s three (3)-pin socket. b) A fixed three (3)-pin mains plug that replaces the standard three (3)-pin mains plug and is permanently attached to the load’s power cable. Part2 – Multiple Mode Communications Module This is an extension of Part1. The device will be housed in a suitable enclosure and will have several additional communication and control functions. The device can be powered by a mains power adaptor or a solar power system. The additional functions are, a) GPS functionality (if it can’t be included in Part1) b) LoRa wireless if it can’t be fitted in Part1. c) 5 X switched outputs using relays. For pumps, lights, valves, etc d) 5 X analogue inputs to allow switches, transducers, or pulse signals. For metering, security, proximity, etc. e) An option to switch 3-phase power Information provided by device 1) Transmit supply voltage in real 2) Transmit supply current in real 3) Report local ON/OFF 4) Report device status, and location when GPS option installed 5) Report power failure Programable options 1 Device programable via USB or Bluetooth (Suitable APP also required) 2 Download Wi-Fi SSID and Password to device 3) Download encryption keys to device 4) Send ‘Peak’ and ‘Average’ data instead of ‘real time’ data to remote platform Device Options 1) Integrated GPS receiver 2) Bluetooth, LoRa, and GPRS communications Packaging Ideally the device will be housed within a mains Plug Pack so that it can be installed on the mains cable for a unique device. Deliverables 1) Thee working prototypes – One retained for development 2)PCB design with Gerber files 3) Bill-of-Materials for the PCB 4) Design sketches for the housing(s) Power Specifications 1) Operating voltage 100 ~ 250 vac 2) Device shall retain enough power to report mains interruption to remote platform 3) The device must be able to switch inductive loads up to 2,400 Watts *Please provide an estimate of the anticipated time to complete this project