Hi all,
I just read something about the possibility, in Italy, to read values directly from the power meter using the “Chain 2” communication protocol.
For what I can see, it is still experimental, but some companies are already selling a domestic device able to talk to a smartphone app about energy consumption, real-time energy draw, alerting when the drawn power exceeds the maximum contractualized power.
Any italian here tried to use those new devices and integrate with Home Assistant?
The company “MAC Srl” is publishing the data sheets of two products, a plug device and a DIN rail device, that seem interesting:
They support Wi-Fi and BLE, MQTT, Websocket, REST API…
You need to be an “authenticated” company/entity to have access to the Chain 2 specs and be able to read the values from the Open Meter counter.
There is an Italian company that sells a device able to do so and that can be integrated into HA:
Is anybody in Italy using chain2 protocol for the energy dashboard?
I get it and it’s really working good with the app Afa, but i need help to use the data from chain2 protocol into the energy dashboard…
I already installed it and it’s working good. The only thing i still don’t understand is what these sensors do and what is their meaning:
- name: Pot Att Prel Quart Media
device_class: power
unit_of_measurement: W
state_class: measurement
data_type: uint16
address: 9
- name: Pot Att Imm Quart Media
device_class: power
unit_of_measurement: W
state_class: measurement
data_type: uint16
address: 19
There is an integration available from HACS.
I have tri-phase system with solar panels and batteries. I tried using it and it has an issue, when the batteries are charging, Alfa looses the connection with the power meter (contatore). I assume there is an interference on the eletrical network when batteries are using energy produced by solar panels. Just an info for those who plan to use it.
@Figarino@maurizio53@GiuseppeP96
Can the Sinapsi Alfa be used without any Cloud service?
Do I just need to connect to any plug in the house and it will read the consumption/production (from PV)?
i think you need the cloud service (or at least the app which uses cloud services) to set up the device.
Then you can use the modbus tcp protocol to read the device. There is a file with the modbus address config for home assistant here: alfabysinapsi.it/wp-content/uploads/configuration-1.txt
I’m exploring different options to read data from the Enel Open Meter and was wondering if there are any alternatives besides devices like the Alfa by Sinapsi, which seem quite expensive.
I’m aware of DIY solutions like the ones described here: Integrating your electricity grid - Home Assistant. However, these typically require access to the electricity line after the fuse or circuit breaker where the smart meter is installed.
I’m also considering using a Shelly EM with a CT clamp inside the breaker box, but I’m concerned about the accuracy of that method given the complexity and number of wires in the panel.
Has anyone tried other approaches or can recommend more cost-effective and reliable solutions? Is CHAIN2 the only way to communicate/read the values from the smart meter?
Also for DIY solution IEC62056-21 is not possible on open meter as it requires an authenticated process. I use it for an iskra meter i have.
The only possible way from that link is by reading the pulse.
Shelly EM with a CT clamp should be precise. Since i have multiple meters (and just one open meter) i purchased a single alfa sinapsi and i’m monitoring the other consumptions via ct clamp. Even if i’m not using a shelly but ABB or inepro meters they should be precise.
Of course you need to choss a proper ct clamp and set the correct ct ratio on the meter for your scenario so you can get correct value even if you are consuming low power.