Power metering plug without switch

[ChrisBarber (Christian Barbier)]

Hello,

I’m on a search to find a way to measure the power draw/consumption of a plug for the waschingmachine without it being able to switch/cut the power. I tried 2 different types of zigbee power plugs and with both i had problems, that the switch turned off by itself mid running of the machine. Sometimes it works for some time but then it doesn’t. I am now searching for a way to just measure the power without the switching. Has someone a method or a recommendation? I’m open for zigbee and wifi. Thanks in advance

[Protoncek (Pavel)]

Just permanently connect relay contacts inside (short them with soldering iron). That’s what i did.

[Holdestmade]

Similar discussion here, seems there aren’t any plugs to do it but there are other options

Smart plug without actor

Hi, I am currently searching a smart plug (wifi/zigbee) that measures power, but cannot be turned on and off. I want to monitor the energy consumption of some devices but don’t want the risk that they are turned off without noticing (happened a few times with ESPHome, Tasmota and Tuya devices. Does anyone know of such a devices? best regards,

[ChrisBarber (Christian Barbier)]

Yeah that was also an idea but i’m not sure if i’m skilled enough to know how to do it and it then just explodes. I think i’m gonna open one up and look. But it helps to know that someone did this already. Thanks for the tip.

[ChrisBarber (Christian Barbier)]

Oh sorry, i didn’t see the other discussion. Thanks for the info and link.

[Protoncek (Pavel)]

If you open one you’ll see a model marking on relay. Find datasheet for this relay and you’ll see pons position. That way you’ll know which two to bypass.

[ChrisBarber (Christian Barbier)]

Thanks. Which power plug did you modified because it seems that i can’t open mine without destroying the housing.

[Knallfrosch (Andreas)]

I use Shelly Plug´s. You can define in their settings when they should turn off for security reason. maybe your washing mashine consumes a little bit to much in the peak. I have three (two washing mashines an a dryer) an they are wroking fine without turning off for more than 2 years.

[Protoncek (Pavel)]

I modified shelly plus 1PM. 2.5PM also opens pretty easy.

[orange-assistant (the real one)]

@Protoncek

Just permanently connect relay contacts inside

Or (if you one has control over their device) can just configure it in software (only)

• relay to be always on (after boot)
• don’t expose the relay/switch control to HA
• button press doesn’t toggle the relay

if you are lucky and your device is based on a esp this should be easily possible to do within esphome.

ESPHome — ESPHome

Instead of doing a hardware hack I’d rather go directly with a non-contact monitoring solution like a pzem004t v3.

Peacefair PZEM-004T V3 Energy Monitor

[Holdestmade]

There’s also a ZigBee tuya clamp, I’ve got 2 working great with z2m

[ChrisBarber (Christian Barbier)]

@Holdestmade @orange-assistant
The problem with clamps is that i need an exposed wire and a separate power supply. The plugs are a lot easier solution. The plugs weren’t switched by interactions or too much power draw or a blackout. They just switched off by themself and i can’t explain why. I checked the logs and couldn’t find a reason.

[ChrisBarber (Christian Barbier)]

Ok thanks but i would rather use plugs.

[Holdestmade]

Yes I agree, I only have them on critical appliances, like my server, where I want no chance of it will be switched off. I made up a IEC plug to socket lead with the clamp around the line and using the line and neutral to power the clamp.

[ChrisBarber (Christian Barbier)]

Yeah. I also had a plug but just for short on my pc and then it was too “dangerous” for me. I really would like to have a commercial solution to just measure, but there really doesn’t seems to be something like that.

[ChrisBarber (Christian Barbier)]

Maybe i gonna try the shelly plugs. Thanks

[Holdestmade]

@ChrisBarber

eally would like to have a commercial solution

Maybe message Shelly ? you never know, they might be able to leave out the relay !

[orange-assistant (the real one)]

@ChrisBarber

They just switched off by themself and i can’t explain why

I guess that wasn’t a plug with esphome on it?

For years I had a plug running on “always on” and only a option to reset (turns off for 20 seconds then back on again). While that plug didn’t feature power monitoring I had this setup running for years without any hick ups (never switched off by itself).

@orange-assistant

Never had problems that the device had the load off at some point (early_pin_init is default on)

esphome:
  platform: ESP8266
  board: esp01_1m
  name: ...
  on_boot:
    priority: -100
    then:
      - delay: 10s
      - switch.turn_on: relay

switch:
  - platform: gpio
    pin: ...
    id: relay
    on_turn_on:
      then:
        - binary_sensor.template.publish:
            id: relay_state
            state: ON
    on_turn_off:
      then:
        - binary_sensor.template.publish:
            id: relay_state
            state: OFF

binary_sensor:
  - platform: template
    name: "Relay State"
    id: relay_state

button:
  - platform: template
    name: "Relay Load Reset (20s)"
    on_press:
      then:
        - switch.turn_off: relay
        - delay: 20s
        - switch.turn_on: relay

[ChrisBarber (Christian Barbier)]

No both were zigbee plugs. I’m gonna try a wifi plug from shelly maybe and maybe one flashed with esphome.

[Holdestmade]

Looks.like shelly have made the shelly mini pm. Power monitoring with no relay