Power Blocks
Team members:
- Michael Badaracca
- Peter Brehm
- Tenzin Choephak
- David Fiedeldey
- Micahl Keitner
We intend to provide control and efficiency to household power grids. Power Blocks is a spinoff of the common power strip, allowing for individual outlet control and minimizing phantom loads from everyday electronics. The power strip will be able to accommodate a variable number of outlets through the use of modular blocks. Each outlet can be turned on/off while monitoring power consumption. A separate base station will be utilized to communicate and interface with several power strips while allowing user control to specify behaviors for each outlet. Below is an outline for each system; The Base Station, Power Strip, and User Interface. Each system has a list of objects that are expected and additional features that are desired once basic functionality has been established.
Strip Functionality:
- Independently controlled outlets
- Modular Plug "Blocks"
- Power meter/Efficiency reporting
Communication Options for Strip:
- Power Line Networking (PLN)
Base Station Functionality
- Stand alone base station w/ physical buttons and LCD screen
Product Functionality/Control:
- On/Off/Comm.
- Personal schedule
- Door sensor (3 and 4 may switch locations)
- Home Presence Sensing