In this post, we will do a basic comparison between smart metering plugs/switches and Thingslog smart metering combo.
Introduction
Smart plugs and smart switches have gained a great amount of popularity. Companies like SONOFF made them really affordable and easy to use. They integrate well with your home WIFI and provide not only smart metering but also remotely triggered ON/OFF functionality. Where they fail short is the ability to control the whole home and the ability to work with higher currents. They also have some shortage in terms of CE certification (even if you look for and ask if there isn’t provided CE for some of the models). Finally, they don’t comply with the MID directive (Measuring Instruments Directive) which is a bit weird since most of what they claim to do is “measurements” of either electricity or humidity and temperature.
Power metering combo vs smart switch/plugs
Compared to that ThingsLog smart metering combos offers a data logger together with power-meter MID-certified power meters that comply with EU regulations have the same classes of accuracy as the meters used by the utility companies and could monitor and profile the consumption of your whole home.
The combo comes with the ThingsLog power metering app which easily allows us to distinguish between the consumption of a fridge compared to our home cooker or clima.
The combos come with a preconfigured data logger. The default configuration is 1 Wat = 1 pulse, data transmission every 12 hours.
Each combo could be used for monitoring up to two meters simultaneously. They come with various sizes of power meters – the smallest is single phase 45A (compared to SONOFF 15A max current), and the larger are single phase 100A. There is also a 3 phases 100A model suitable for small manufacturers or family hotels.
Finally, our meters could measure forward and reverse energy so they are suitable for smart grid customers that not only consume but also provide energy to the grid.
Each combo includes also two ON/OFF inputs that could be used for perimeter security – for example for attaching ON/OFF door/window sensors to the data logger and achieving low-power security on places where it could not be so easy to get power supply.
In conclusion
Finally, if you need a plug to control and measure single units with some accuracy use smart switches and smart plugs.
If you need professional sub-metering and would like to measure, monitor and profile the consumption of your home, house or property get a ThingsLog combo.
