I really think you should pursue this. It is very interesting. What would make it even better is if you could have the breaker report back to a computer app through some sort of wireless technology. The only hurdle you would have to conquer is how to sell it. Do you pitch it to the electrician, the homeowner or the government?

Maybe it doesn't have to be wireless. With upgraded wiring, it could report directly through the power line.

I was laying in bed last night thinking about this. It is a very good idea. You should really look into seeking some protections for this idea and taking it to the next level. You are right, you could easily use existing technology to make this possible.

I did a patent search, which came up with over a thousand related patents. The ones I've read so far deal with separate aspects of power distribution management (and communication), so hopefully I won't have any problem presenting this idea in light of them all. I might end up even referencing a few of them.