Power Monitor Recommendations

xstrex · December 18, 2017, 6:45pm

Hi All,

I’m looking for some recommendations on how to monitor the power usage of an appliance (think washer, dryer & dishwasher). I don’t necessarily need to turn the power on/off, just monitor what it’s using and report it to HA.

Most of my home-automation setup uses Insteon hardware; unfortunately it looks like they don’t make a plug to monitor usage, just control whether it’s on, or off.

I just came across this, but having never used a Sonoff product I have no idea if it would work, or how I would integrate it into HA. https://sonoff.itead.cc/en/products/residential/sonoff-s31 (I’m more than comfortable flashing firmware, or what not).

Side Note, I have a feeling that most plugs on the market, which are HA compatible, are designed to be turned on/off, and monitor usage as an additional attribute. This would be fine, yet not ideal, as I’d just hide the switch bit in the UI.

Any other recommendations?

kirichkov · December 18, 2017, 7:07pm

I think a TP-Link HS110 would do the job. Some Sonoff’s need to have a few wires soldered in order to be reflashed, never seen one of these you’re referring to, so I have no idea how they can be reflashed.

myle · January 24, 2018, 8:57am

I just got my sonoff POW flash it with tasmoa

he is a copy of my sensors

 - platform: mqtt
    name: "Washing Power"
    state_topic: "tele/SONOFF-POW1/SENSOR"
    value_template: "{{value_json['ENERGY'].Power }}"
    qos: 1
    unit_of_measurement : "W"
    
    
  - platform: mqtt
    name: "Washing Voltage"
    state_topic: "tele/SONOFF-POW1/SENSOR"
    value_template: "{{value_json['ENERGY'].Voltage }}"
    qos: 1
    unit_of_measurement : "V" 
    
  - platform: mqtt
    name: "Washing Energy Today"
    state_topic: "tele/SONOFF-POW1/SENSOR"
    value_template: "{{value_json['ENERGY'].Today }}"
    qos: 1
    unit_of_measurement : "kWh" 
  
  - platform: mqtt
    name: "Washing Energy Yesterday"
    state_topic: "tele/SONOFF-POW1/SENSOR"
    value_template: "{{value_json['ENERGY'].Yesterday }}"
    qos: 1
    unit_of_measurement : "kWh"

just got to wait for some to do the washing and see if everything works

as im not turning it on/off
in the Tasmota I gave it the command

PowerOnState  1

so it turn on if the powder plug is turn off then on again.
so wife does not know its even there

xstrex · January 27, 2018, 3:42pm

Excellent! I haven’t played with these devices yet, where could I find more information on them? Also, I’m comfortable flashing firmware, do you have any more info on where, how to do that?

robmarkcole · January 27, 2018, 7:37pm

Wemo Insight plug has ha integration but expensive

myle · January 27, 2018, 8:27pm

Watch DrZzs https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7G4tLa4Kt6A9e3hJ-HO8ng Videos he done Alsum Job

was using espeasy after watch his one Im converted all mine to Tasmoa

got mine form itead Paid the 8 Dollars for shipping and had on my door with in about 10 days
I got the Water proof case also

xstrex · February 1, 2018, 3:32pm

Thanks @myle I’ve ordered a few Sonoff’s POW’s from itead. I’ll follow the video, and with any luck, I’ll be able to monitor the power usage of a few of my appliances. Thanks for the help!

myle · February 1, 2018, 6:53pm

nice have a look at this

it work good

xstrex · February 2, 2018, 9:01pm

Thanks, that’s a big help, and a great article, I’ll probably use some of his recommendations.

cwhits · February 3, 2018, 6:31pm

Would you mind sharing more of your config? Like your automation and the group you’re using (i.e., idle vs in-use).

poldim · February 6, 2018, 2:42am

just read the article, Phil does a great job of spelling everything out

poldim · February 6, 2018, 2:54am

I’m hoping the S31 setup is similar to the POW. I bought a few MANZOKU (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07878LWBN) because of their great price point. Unfortunately, it looks like their Tuya based backend has not been developed with home automation in mind. There are others in my boat, but I this the S31 is a better bet for now.

It’s unfortunate because the hardware of the MANZOKU is actually very nice.

myle · February 6, 2018, 3:35am

Yeap that the plan

just got a couple more logic that I want to put in

Csepi · February 25, 2019, 11:05am

Hi All,
My household started to use a huge amount of energy, I have to monitor the different consumer-electronics like NAS/Router, TV (infotainment), fridge, dish washer and soooo oon. There are a couple of them.

I reviewed Sonoff, but seems a little much handywork to make a dozen of these for EU (TypeC and TypeF ) plugs without cutting the electronics (due I need the guarantee).
Does anyone know a tool what acts like a switch (like an IKEA Trädfri control outlet sitting between the plug and the electronics), but also measure what sonoff already does?
(And of course HA compatible? )

Best: Peter

antonholmstedt · May 12, 2019, 8:39pm

Did you find any @Csepi ?

Csepi · May 13, 2019, 8:18am

Hi!
Yes, mydlink Home Smart Plug DSP‑W215 have the ability to measure the consumption also can report to HASS.
https://eu.dlink.com/uk/en/products/dsp-w215-smart-plug
It also have C type plug: https://edigital.hu/halozati-kartya-kiegeszitok-modem/d-link-mydlink-home-smart-plug-konnektor-dsp-w215-p349383

Negative effects: if the power goes off, it won’t come back until you set a 0-24 schedule AND have an internet connection. So make sure you don’t install it before a router or modem and it will restore the power IF the internet connection came back.

Best: Peter

Vlad · May 13, 2019, 9:40am

I’m using Sonoff S31, flash it with tasmoa for Washer and Dryer.

Sense, Sense for all house monitoring.
kittle

daniwebCH · May 13, 2019, 10:09am

It depends on where you want/can put the monitoring equipment.
I installed a iotawatt and I’m really happy with this product.
It has a local history and in my case I configured to send the measures to a influxDB, from there I can recover the info to the HS.

To get an idea the best is if you go the product page.

Added:
I used the approach described there Anyone try IoTaWatt yet?
Now I can see the info directly without using the influxdb,it is simple and working!

Snash · November 13, 2023, 4:10pm

@Vlad I have done the same with my Sonoff S31. Could you share how you are detecting if the dryer cycle is done that is it in “wrinkle”?
Thanks

Vlad · November 13, 2023, 5:02pm

@Snash Using following automation:

###############################WASHER AND DRYER START#################
# -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
#  Dryer Machine Start/Finish
# -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
  - alias: 'Dryer State - Door'
    initial_state: 'on'
    trigger:
      platform: numeric_state
      entity_id: sensor.dryer_watts
      above: 7
      below: 20
      for:
        seconds: 2
    action:
      - service: mqtt.publish
        data:
          topic: hass/state/dryer
          payload: 'Door Open'
          retain: 'true'
  - alias: 'Dryer State - Drying'
    initial_state: 'on'
    trigger:
      platform: numeric_state
      entity_id: sensor.dryer_watts
      above: 50
      for:
        seconds: 2
    action:
      - service: mqtt.publish
        data:
          topic: hass/state/dryer
          payload: 'Drying'
          retain: 'true'
  - alias: 'Dryer State - Off'
    initial_state: 'on'
    trigger:
      platform: numeric_state
      entity_id: sensor.dryer_watts
      below: 1
      for:
        seconds: 2
    action:
      - service: mqtt.publish
        data:
          topic: hass/state/dryer
          payload: 'Off'
          retain: 'true'
  - alias: 'Dryer State - Idle'
    initial_state: 'on'
    trigger:
      platform: numeric_state
      entity_id: sensor.dryer_watts
      below: 5
      for:
        seconds: 2
    action:
      - service: mqtt.publish
        data:
          topic: hass/state/dryer
          payload: 'Idle'
          retain: 'true'
# -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
#  Washing Machine Start/Finish
# -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
  - alias: 'Washer State - Start'
    initial_state: 'on'
    trigger:
      platform: numeric_state
      entity_id: sensor.washer_watts
      above: 5
      for:
        seconds: 4
# Make sure washer isn't already running and delaying between cycles - don't re-trigger and cause stopwatch reset
    condition:
      condition: template
      value_template: "{{ states.sensor.washer_state.state != 'Washing' }}"
    action:
      - service: mqtt.publish
        data:
          topic: hass/state/washer
          payload: 'Washing'
          retain: 'true'
  - alias: 'Washer State - Off'
    initial_state: 'on'
    trigger:
      platform: numeric_state
      entity_id: sensor.washer_watts
      below: 1
      for:
##        minutes: 5
        seconds: 2
    action:
      - service: mqtt.publish
        data:
          topic: hass/state/washer
          payload: 'Off'
          retain: 'true'
  - alias: 'Washer State - Idle'
    initial_state: 'on'
    trigger:
      platform: numeric_state
      entity_id: sensor.washer_watts
      below: 5
      for:
##        minutes: 5
        seconds: 2
    action:
      - service: mqtt.publish
        data:
          topic: hass/state/washer
          payload: 'Idle'
          retain: 'true'
#####################################################
    - alias: 'Dryer Finished'
      trigger:
        platform: state
        entity_id: sensor.dryer_state
        from: 'Drying'
        to: 'Idle'
        action:
        - service: media_player.volume_set
          entity_id: group.alexa_wholehouse
          data:
            volume_level: '0.2'
        - service: notify.alexa_media
          data:
            data:
              type: announce
            target: 
              - group.alexa_wholehouse
            message: 'Hey.. Guess what..  The dryer is done! Exciting stuff, right?'
    - alias: 'Washer Finished'
      trigger:
        platform: state
        entity_id: sensor.washer_state
        from: 'Washing'
        to: 'Idle'
      condition:
        condition: template
        value_template: "{{ states.sensor.dryer_state.state != 'Drying' }}"
        action:
        - service: media_player.volume_set
          entity_id: group.alexa_wholehouse
          data:
            volume_level: '0.2'
        - service: notify.alexa_media
          data:
            data:
              type: announce
            target: 
              - group.alexa_wholehouse
            message: 'Laundry in the washer can be moved over!'