Will Low Cost ESP8266 4 Channel Power Monitor Work With ESPHome?

[orange-assistant (the real one)]

@raidnet-ms

I calibrated with different bulbs

Did you only use the good old incandescent “heat” bulbs with a power factor of 1 or also other types like CFL or LED?

@raidnet-ms

a plug power meter to check bulbs real and precise power.

“real” in terms of real/true power which is typically measured in Watts?

Also any information/specifications about the plug power meter you used?

@raidnet-ms

Then I calibrated high power with a current clamp.

The “high power” source wasn’t by accident a pure restive load (so again pf=1)

@raidnet-ms

I verified precise voltage to set it in the code and I think it is enough accurate.

So you are actually calculating (or “guessing”) the apparent power (kVA) actually and not the real power (W)

As a hint: Power companies usually only bill private individuals for the “useful work” = real/true power

[rosscullen]

Thanks @orange-assistant for comprehensive feedback… really useful to know. So would you be enclined to say that the most accurate and cost effective way is to get, say, 3 or 4 of these to hook up to your consumer unit (mains and the optional circuits you want to monitor)? How many can you run of a single ESP32 such as a D1 mini?

[orange-assistant (the real one)]

@rosscullen

How many can you run of a single ESP32 such as a D1 mini?

Good question. I think there is no “hard” limit but by the looks of it 10 are already somewhat troublesome:

10x PZEM-004T

Hi I have 10 pieces PZEM-004T as energy monitor. Sometimes 2-3 PZEMs fail. Restart usually helps. In the log file this yellow message: 'Modbus CRC check failed! 4C65!=1404 Does anyone know the problem?

I run 4 pzem004t v3’s on a esp32 with ethernet (in the past I used a esp8266 d1 mini for it) and they just work

@rosscullen

circuits you want to monitor

Yes, just hook the coils/clamps up to the circuits/machines you want to monitor - no rocket science

@rosscullen

to say that the most accurate and cost effective way

The most cost effective way I think yes - the most accurate probably not. But in my opinion it certainly features the (by far) best accuracy per buck

[rosscullen]

Thanks again for your suggestions @orange-assistant, parts are on order!

[raidnet-ms]

Did you only use the good old incandescent “heat” bulbs with a power factor of 1 or also other types like CFL or LED ?

yes both

Any information/specifications about the plug power meter you used?

Chacon power meter

The “high power” source wasn’t by accident a pure restive load (so again pf=1)

was mixed, I turned on several things at home up to 2A@240v

So you are actually calculating (or “guessing”) the apparent power (kVA) actually and not the real power (W)

Well I do not need to verify if my energy seller is cheating me. I need to turn off high power equipment when solar production is <less then consumed.

As a hint: Power companies usually only bill private individuals for the “useful work ” = real/true power

thanks for the accurate tip, I will check in future with a pzem how much is that difference

[orange-assistant (the real one)]

@raidnet-ms

I will check in future with a pzem how much is that difference

Actually the power factor is often printed on products and depending on the country you are living there is even regulations “forcing” a minimum power factor

For example if you have a led light with a power factor of 0.5 your apparent power readings will actually show double () of the real power

Companies with high consumption often get billed for the apparent power consumption btw.

[typxxi (wolf)]

I love to read the discussion and the progress but I still feel a bit lost how to build such a PZEM-004T based one.
I am also wondering, if you can replace such coil with that clamp used here cause getting such coils into the cabinet is a lot more challenging considering that I would have to remove every measured line from the board inside.

Thanks for any further hints to find such esp based product to buy or build.