Smart Energy Logger (Sel): An Automatic Power Manager for Hostels and PG Rooms (Pay-Later System)

Abstract

This report explains how we built the Smart Energy Logger (SEL) to solve common electricity problems in placeslikehostelsandPGrooms.Intheoldsystem,people check meters by hand. This often leads to arguments, electricitywaste,andextraworkforowners.Tosolvethis, SEL uses a smart electronic box in each room that works on a pay-later system. Inside the box, an ESP32 microcontroller is used as the main controller. A PZEM- 004Tmoduleisusedtomeasureelectricityaccurately,and aDS1307clockmodulekeepstheexacttimeanddate.The most important feature of the system is automatic power cutafter30daysusingarelayswitch.Thisensuresthatthe electricitybillispaidontime.TheSELboxisconnectedto the main power line of the room, just like a small sub- meter. The ESP32 has Wi-Fi, so it sends the power usage data to a simple webpage. The owner can easily see how muchpowereachroomusesanddividethetotalbillfairly. After the tenant pays the bill, the owner simply taps an RFID cardtorestorethepower immediately andstartthe next 30-day cycle. Overall, this project provides a simple, fair, and automatic way to manage electricity and avoid billing disputes.