Development of a Microcontroller-Based Power Monitoring System for Comparative Efficiency Analysis of LED, CFL, and Incandescent Lamps

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FORMOSA NEWS - Semarang - New Microcontroller System Proves LED Household Lighting Delivers Superior Efficiency and Cost Savings. Researchers Barik Khamaluddin Nur, Miftahurrohman, and Imam Saufik Suasana from Universitas Sains dan Teknologi Komputer Semarang designed and evaluated an Arduino Uno-based power-monitoring prototype to measure electrical efficiency across light-emitting diode (LED), compact fluorescent (CFL), and incandescent lamps. Published in August 2026 in the Formosa Journal of Computer and Information Science, the study provides an accessible method for real-time energy tracking and empirical evidence showing that switching from traditional incandescent bulbs to modern LEDs drastically reduces household electricity expenses while maintaining equivalent illumination.

Background and Relevance

Residential electricity consumption is growing rapidly, making household energy conservation a key target for lowering national energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions. In Indonesia, rising per-capita energy use highlights the need to shift from basic power accessibility to measurable efficiency. While consumers often rely on rated wattage printed on product packaging, electronic light sources like LEDs and CFLs contain internal drivers or ballasts that introduce non-linear loads. This creates a discrepancy between apparent power (measured in volt-amperes) and actual active power (measured in watts), which determines electric utility billing. Accurate, low-cost monitoring systems are vital to helping households understand their real-time energy draw and financial impacts.

Research Methodology
The research team conducted a experimental setup in Sendang Dawung Village, Wonokerto District, Pekalongan Regency, Central Java. The scientists constructed a custom monitoring device utilizing an Arduino Uno R3 microcontroller paired with an ACS712 Hall-effect current sensor and a ZMPT101B voltage sensor module. The system was tested across three light sources providing an equivalent light output of approximately 450 lumens: a 5-watt LED, a 9-watt CFL, and a 40-watt incandescent lamp. Each lamp underwent ten experimental trials comprising twelve time samples per trial to establish stability. Sensor data processed by the microcontroller were validated against a calibrated Sanwa CD800a digital multimeter to ensure measurement accuracy. The evaluation framework distinctively separated direct apparent power readings from estimated active power using established power factors: 0.99 for the LED, 0.55 for the CFL, and 1.00 for the incandescent bulb.

Key Findings
The microcontroller system demonstrated high precision and stability across all operational trials, yielding a mean voltage error of 0.09% and a mean current error of 1.56% compared to the reference meter.

• Power Demand: The LED drawn the lowest current at 23.85 mA, compared to 64.20 mA for the CFL and 182.44 mA for the incandescent lamp.
  
• Apparent vs. Active Power: Mean apparent power recorded was 5.28 VA for the LED, 14.21 VA for the CFL, and 40.36 VA for the incandescent lamp. The corresponding estimated active power was 5.23 W for the LED, 7.82 W for the CFL, and 40.36 W for the incandescent bulb.
  
• Luminous Efficacy: The LED achieved an estimated luminous efficacy of 86.0 lumens per watt (lm/W), significantly outperforming the CFL (57.5 lm/W) and the incandescent lamp (11.15 lm/W).
  
• Cost Disparities: Assuming an operating duration of 6 hours per day at an electricity tariff of IDR 1,444.70/kWh, the estimated annual operating cost per lamp was IDR 16,547 for the LED, IDR 24,742 for the CFL, and IDR 127,695 for the incandescent lamp.
  

Real-World Impact and Practical Applications
The empirical results show that replacing a single 40-watt incandescent lamp with a 5-watt LED saves an estimated IDR 111,148 per year per fixture. While replacing CFL bulbs yields a smaller immediate financial saving of IDR 8,195 annually per bulb, LEDs remain the superior long-term choice due to higher efficacy and better power factor performance. Beyond consumer savings, the open-hardware measurement prototype offers an affordable educational tool for community energy-literacy campaigns, school laboratories, and initial residential energy audits. Municipalities and local governments can deploy low-cost microcontroller monitors to demonstrate real-time energy usage to residents, helping overcome misconceptions based strictly on labeled packaging wattage.

Author Profil
Barik Khamaluddin Nur, S.Kom. is a researcher at Universitas Sains dan Teknologi Komputer (STEKOM) specializing in embedded systems, microcontrollers, and electrical measurement technologies.
Miftahurrohman, M.Kom. is a faculty member at Universitas Sains dan Teknologi Komputer (STEKOM) with expertise in computer systems engineering and hardware integration.
Imam Saufik Suasana, M.Kom. is an academic and researcher at Universitas Sains dan Teknologi Komputer (STEKOM) focusing on information systems, sensor networks, and energy monitoring applications.

Source 
Barik Khamaluddin Nur, Miftahurrohman, Imam Saufik Suasana. Development of a Microcontroller-Based Power Monitoring System for Comparative Efficiency Analysis of LED, CFL, and Incandescent Lamps. Formosa Journal of Computer and Information Science (FJCIS). Vol. 5, No. 2, 2026, hal. 351-366
DOI : https://doi.org/10.55927/fjcis.v5i2.17146
URL: https://journal.formosapublisher.org/index.php/fjcis