Watts Up Pro

Watts Up Pro is a device that measures real-time electricity usage and cost. It is auto-ID and connects to a USB port on your computer or LabQuest. Logger Pro 3.8 or LabQuest App 1.3 and newer are required.

When connected, Watts Up Pro can be used at the same time as a LabPro^®, LabQuest^®, or Go! Link^™ to collect data about electricity use at the same time as data from other sensors, for example temperature or light sensors. Watts Up Pro can also be used without a computer by connecting to the USB port of a LabQuest.

What Types of Data Can I Collect with Watts Up Pro?

Watts Up Pro calculates a wide variety of data, including maximum watts, frequency, and cumulative costs. Logger Pro collects data on the following types of data simultaneously:

• Real Power
  The power currently being consumed by the device that is plugged into Watts Up Pro, measured in watts.

• Potential
  The root mean squared (RMS) potential present on the power line.

• Current
  The RMS current being drawn by the device that is plugged into Watts Up Pro, measured in amperes.

• Apparent Power
  The products of the RMS potential and the RMS current.

In addition, an experiment file available in Logger Pro contains calculated columns that will allow you to explore cost. You can use this file to conduct more complex analysis of your data.

Suggested Experiments

• Compare different light bulbs or other devices.
  Compare the electricity use of different wattage light bulbs or different types of bulbs. Do compact fluorescent bulbs use less energy than incandescent bulbs? How much electricity is your computer using when it is "sleeping"?

• Investigate phantom load
  How much energy is used by a plasma TV? When it is turn off, is it really off? What about the microwave?

• Measure long-term trends
  Use Watts Up Pro to monitor the energy used by a freezer, heater, or air conditioner over night. You can also use Watts Up Pro in combination with other sensors; for example, use a Temperature Probe and Watts Up Pro at the same time to see how the temperature changes when household items are turned on or off.