Power Meter Selection Guide

Back in 2018 we developed the first plug-in commercial power meter in the UK.  A robust, weatherproof unit, designed for a tool hire company to demonstrate how contractors were over-loading 110v site transformers. Over the years this single meter has evolved into the wide range of units that we offer today, all still manufactured in our UK workshop. 

Along the way we've developed considerable knowledge regarding metering. We hope this guide will help you select the best solution for your needs; if you still have any questions, please do contact us.

Selecting the Unit Type

Our range of meters are available in four different presentations:

Plug-in Standard Meter

Robust, weatherproof IP55 unit, which simply connects between the plug of the item of equipment to be monitored and the power socket. Black rubber H07RN-F heavy duty cable. Available with a wide range of connectors including UK 13A, Schuko/French ad CEE Commando 110v/230v/415v, 16A/32.

Click here to visit the collection.

Plug-in Marine and Motorhome Meter

Similar to the standard unit, but with an extra robust weatherproof IP65 enclosure and orange rubber H07BQ-F marine grade heavy duty cable. Simply connects between the boat/motor home hook-up socket and shoreline socket. Available with CEE Commando, Marinco and Victron connectors.

Click here to visit the range.

Hard Wired Meter Complete with Enclosure

The same range of meters used in our plug in range, available within a robust IP65 plastic or metal enclosure. The metal enclosure has a lid covering the opening, to ensure compliance with Amendment 3 of the IET Wiring Regulations for use installation in domestic properties.

Click to view the plastic or metal units.

Hard Wired Meter Component

DIN mounted meter components available separately to be hard wired.

Click here to visit the range.

 

Selecting the Right Meter

Each unit type is available with a range of meter components fitted. No single meter can provide the perfection solution for every application, with each having its own advantages.

Single Phase

Single phase units are available with a choice of three meters:

MID Approved Basic

 Component Only

Plug-in Standard

Plug-in Marine

Metal or Plastic Enclosure
Suited to applications where simple accurate metering is needed for billing or monitoring purposes e.g. marinas, campsites:
  • Highly accurate.
  • MID certified for sub-billing applications.
  • Simple display options.
  • Medium sized back-lit display with xxmm digits.
Specification:
  • Digital kWh meter, with class 1 accuracy.
  • MID B&D approved, which is the certification required for a meter to be used for sub-billing applications.
  • LCD backlit display.
  • Cumulative kWh reading is retained permanently, even if the power is removed for long periods of time.

Display:

  • Pressing the push button toggles the meter between displaying live power usage (W), resettable cumulative energy used (kWh) and non-resettable cumulative energy used (kWh).

MID Approved Advanced

 Component Only

Plug-in Advanced

Designed for advanced monitoring and analysis of equipment performance:

  • Highly accurate.
  • MID certified for sub-billing applications.
  • Monitors an advanced range of parameters.
  • Medium sized back-lit display with xxmm digits.
Specification:
  • Digital kWh meter, with class 1 accuracy.
  • MID B&D approved, which is the certification required for a meter to be used for sub-billing applications.
  • LCD backlit display.
  • Cumulative kWh reading is retained permanently, even if the power is removed for long periods of time.

Display:

  • Pressing the push button toggles the meter between displaying:
    • Voltage (V)
    • Current (A)
    • Frequency (Hz)
    • Power Factor (PF)
    • Power Max. Demand (MD kW)
    • Active Power (kW)
    • Reactive Power (kVAr)
    • Apparent Power (kVA)
    • Import Active Energy (kWh)
    • Export Active Energy (kWh)
    • Total Active Energy (kWh)
    • Import Reactive Energy (kVArh)
    • Export Reactive Energy (kVArh)
    • Total Reactive Energy (kVArh)

Wi-Fi with Remote on/off

Component Only

Plug-in

Plastic Enclosure
Where a MID approved meter (for sub-billing) is not required, the unit offers a range of benefits:
  • All 10 parameters can be read directly from the small display with xxmm digits.
  • 4 Parameters can be monitored remotely using Wi-Fi, via the smartphone app. Great for analysing equipment remotely or logging kWh use over time.
  • In addition to metering, the unit has enables the output to be remotely switch on/off, or timer/delay functions to be set up via the app.
Specification:
  • Wi-Fi enabled digital kWh meter, with class 1 accuracy.
  • Not MID approved for sub-billing.

Display:

  • Pressing the push button toggles the meter between displaying:

Remote Monitoring via the App:

  • Unit connects via Wi-Fi to enable remote monitoring of kWh, current, voltage and active power (other metrics can only be read from the meter itself).
  • TUYA or Smart Life APP enables live/cumulative readings and a kWh monthly trend graph showing usage by day to be viewed on any phone or tablet.

Live Meter with Bright LED Display

Component Only

Plug-in
Where a MID approved meter (for sub-billing) is not required, the unit is best suited for applications where a large clear display is required:
  • Large brightly illuminated LED display, with XXmm tall digits.
  • Perfect for the live monitoring of equipment e.g. transformer load.
  • Displays 3 parameters at a time, which are alternated from a total of 6.

Specification:

  • Digital meter with large LED display, ideal for live monitoring of loads.
  • Not MID approved for sub-billing. The unit is not suitable for billing purposes as the cumulative kWh reading can be user reset.

Display:

  • Pressing the button alternates the three parameters displayed:
    • Power factor + frequency + energy kWh
    • Voltage + current + power

Three Phase Meters

MID Approved Basic

Component Only

Plug-in

 

 

 

 
Suited to applications where basic accurate metering is needed for billing or monitoring purposes:
  • Most accurate meter available.
  • MID certified for sub-billing applications.
  • Medium sized back-lit display with xxmm digits.
Specification:
  • Digital kWh meter, with class 1 accuracy.
  • MID B&D approved, which is the certification required for a meter to be used for sub-billing applications.
  • LCD backlit display.
  • Cumulative kWh reading is retained permanently, even if the power is removed for long periods of time.

Display:

  • The display only shows cumulative non-resettable kWh.

    MID Approved Advanced

    Component Only

    Plug-in
    Suited to applications where advanced accurate metering is needed for billing or monitoring purposes:
    • Feature packed unit, with 9 parameters measured.
    • Most accurate meter available.
    • MID certified for sub-billing applications.
    • Medium sized back-lit display with xxmm digits.

    Display:

    • Pressing the button alternates the parameters displayed:
      • Total kWh
      • Import kWh
      • Export kWh
      • Total kVAr
      • Phase Voltage
      • Phase Current
      • Active power
      • Power factor
      • Frequency
      • Reactive power

    Wi-Fi with Remote on/off

    Component Only

    Plug-in Unit
    Where a MID approved meter (for sub-billing) is not required, the unit offers a range of benefits:
    • All 23 parameters can be read directly from the small display with xxmm digits.
    • 4 Parameters can be monitored remotely using Wi-Fi, via the smartphone app. Great for analysing equipment remotely or logging kWh use over time.
    • In addition to metering, the unit has enables the output to be remotely switch on/off, or timer/delay functions to be set up via the app.
    Specification:
    • Wi-Fi enabled digital kWh meter, with class 1 accuracy.
    • Not MID approved for sub-billing.

    Display:

    • Pressing the push button toggles the meter between displaying:

    Remote Monitoring via the App:

    • Unit connects via Wi-Fi to enable remote monitoring (phase 1 only) of kWh, current, voltage and active power (other metrics can only be read from the meter itself).
    • TUYA or Smart Life APP enables live/cumulative readings and a kWh monthly trend graph showing usage by day to be viewed on any phone or tablet.
    Wi-Fi/LAN Power Analyser 

    The power analyser simply plugs in-line with the supply and has a wide range of uses where:

    • Detailed data needs to be captured and viewed remotely.
    • It is a requirement to download data.
    • Wi-Fi or LAN connectivity is required. 

    Meter Specification:

    • Measured Parameters:
    • - Power (W)
    • - Apparent power (kVA)
    • - Current (A)
    • - Voltage (V)
    • - Power Factor (PF)
    • Three phase units also show the overall power, apparent power and current.
    • Class B accuracy ±1% at 2-120A, ±2% at 1-2 A and ±5% at 0-1 A.
    • All units provide Wi-Fi connectivity, with the LAN option providing Wi-Fi together with a network socket for LAN access.
    • Data captured at user set intervals, down to a granularity of 1 minute.
    • Internal 16MB flash memory stores data, with the capacity of up to 60 days, at a 1 minute interval. Data will continue to be stored on the flash if the unit is off line, re-synching when next connected.
    • Shelly Cloud supports MJS scripting, allowing the creation of additional features and functionality. 
    • Reporting is available with SV for PQ recorded values, JSON format export trough RPC.
    • Wi-Fi range is dependant on local construction, with a range of up to 50m outdoors and 30m indoors.

     Display:

    • That there is no display on the unit; all parameters are read via the Shelly Cloud

     Remote Monitoring and Data Download:

    Operating over either Wi-Fi or plug in LAN (select LAN option) measured parameters can be viewed via the Shelly Cloud application, which is available as an Android app, iOS app and internet browser option for any device.