I have a few Zigbee power measurement plugs from Aqara, and they work great, but sometimes (for no reason I can find) they shut off power, and then I have to turn the device back on. The only thing I want to do is monitor power (like a “kill-a-watt plug”), but have no switch capability so it cannot be accidentally turned off.
I know I can do this with CT’s and creating something myself with an ESP, but I’m looking for something I can just buy. I don’t care if it’s Wifi, Zigbee or ZWave. Does anyone have any suggestions? My next step would be to crack open the Aqara plug and bypass the switch. 
I experimented a Aqara plug I got with package set I acquired, I saw similar behavior. I have never used the device as a result. Prior to testing this device, I got burned similar to your experience with some Shelly WiFi plugs, I allowed the Shelly device to do firmware upgraded and the problems started. Big lesson for me, if it works, do not mess! I fixed the Shelly problem by flashing them with Tasmota firmware, they have been running nonstop for over 12 months sending power reporting and no unexpected turn offs. I have 5 of them running. However, I do not recommend buying the Shelly devices and going this route. I am now working with a WiFi US plug from a company called Kaufman Home Automation, while I have not used this plug as long, they seem pretty good and they have the ability to disable the button to power cycle at the low level of the firmware. As well as a number of other useful options. Good customer support as well.
I have had good experience with two zigbee device one very old that you can probably only get used on Ebay, but they are solid for 2 years plus. Second is a zigbee wall socket, I bit expensive but solid. However, I know of no way to disable the buttons on these zigbee devices, maybe I have just not found the zigbee setting, however the wall socket device cited has one plug that is always on and power monitored, but not split monitoring between two plugs. This is found more often on the Tasmota and ESPhome wifi devices.
This was a very frustrating experience for me, a lesson to test new devices and be very careful of firmware upgrades. Good hunting!
Centralite 4257050-RZHAC
Jasco Zigbee Outlet Receptacle with Energy Monitoring, Tamper-Resistant, Pairs Directly with Echo 4th Gen/Echo Show 10/Echo Studio/Echo Plus/Eero Pro 6, 1 Controlled + 1 Always On, White, 43132
https://kaufha.com/
1 Like
Wow, that looks like some great hardware for only $13 US on Amazon! It’s running an ESP8266 and it’s built to be used natively in HA and ESPHome. I’ve been trying to get away from WiFi devices and stick with Zigbee where I can, but I might make an exception for this device.
That is awesome. I just looked it up, and will give it a try. Bought one on Amazon will set it up this weekend.
Thank you!
Here is a screen grab of the low level config screen of the plug, this is available whether you are a Tasmota or ESPHome user I believe. I have been pleased with the company’s RGBCW bulbs as well:
Sorry to resurrect a year-old thread, but the forum software just flagged my link, above, as a “popular link.” So people are still finding and using this thread.
But, the link is stale. There’s a new one, apparently a new version, but still inexpensive, fully local and ESPHome compatible:
https://www.amazon.com/KAUF-Monitoring-ESPHome-Compatible-Assistant/dp/B0BJLGNPPX
I have no connection with this company, and in fact I haven’t used this device. But I have one on order.
I have about 30 zigbee plugs that also measure the current. I also have the problem described and am therefore looking for a device that measures the current at a socket, but has no switching function. Does anyone have a good hint? I need a device that works in Germany and of course with Home Assistant. The device from KAUF does not seem to be available in Germany.
Here in germany i have two typs of plugs running.
a) some wifi plugs from Gosund (EP2), reflashed to Tasmota. Running great, with Tasmota one could disable the switching capability. Only downside is the reflash is not that easy (need to get downgrade firmeware from support…)
2) some Lidl / Silvercrest plugs running zigbee. doing fine so far, they only offer the capabilty to disable the switching button.
Some zigbee devices have a child_lock entity you can turn on to disable the hardware button. I’ve got both a power monitoring plug by Tuya (TS011F_plug_1 in Z2mqtt) as well as a 4 gang power strip without power monitoring. They both have the child lock option. This despite the fact that neither ZHA nor z2mqtt list these devices as having a child lock.
Seems like this list needs to be updated for the TS011F, so that hardware switching can be disabled. Remember you can also disable software switching simply by setting the switch entity as disabled in HA