I installed two Aeon Labs Micro Smart Energy Switch to monitor and control my Washer and my Dryer. It all works and it reports Watt (Also the energy metering stuff at mios seem to work (but they do not bother to put units at the scales so I do not know what it actually shows)).
I would like to log/plot kWh myself. I wonder how to get at that data. In the Advanced tab I can see variables “KWHReading” and “KWH”. I assume it shows the last time the switch reported KWH and the corresponding reading. But, since when does the switch count the kWh (there is a variable called LastReset is it counting since then?). How can I reset the kWh counting? I can see no button but S_EnergyMeetering1.xml has an Action called ResetKWH.
I don’t have the Aeon Micro meter, but do have their Home Energy Meter which I assume is similar. From this, I use the dataMine plugin to record, monitor and graph the “Watts” and “KWH” variables. Watts is the current wattage being consumed, while KWH is a counter of total power consumed over time (i.e. it’s an incrementing count). I think KWHReading is actually a time field, although I haven’t looked into what it is recording. This might be different to the micro meter (I wish there was a similar device in the UK!).
If you use the dataMine plugin, then you can easily log the data to a CSV file (time and wattage) which can either be manipulated with the plugin itself, or you can take the data and read it into Excel (or whatever).
I think all the Aeon devices use the same mechanism. I think KWH is the total but I am not sure over which time frame this is measured. Maybe it is accumulated since last time it was set to zero. But then, there must be a command to set it to zero. I also believe the KWH is measured in the device itself and the reading is then just transported back to vera (So, this value is not generated in vera from the received watt readings).
I am in the UK, it is a UK device.
I still have to try the dataMine. It looks as what I want for things like kWh. Not sure if it produces the right graph for binary variables (variables like movement detectors that can be 0 or 1; for these I would like to plot a number of them one below the other to see what is happening)
I think KWH is the total but I am not sure over which time frame this is measured. Maybe it is accumulated since last time it was set to zero. But then, there must be a command to set it to zero.
Looking at the HEM developpers manual, it seems to indicate that the KWH is indeed integrated in the device, but there is no command to reset it - other than a command to reset all default values.
I am in the UK, it is a UK device.
Do you have a link to the device? I've not come across an individual metering device with a UK plug.
Not sure if it produces the right graph for binary variables (variables like movement detectors that can be 0 or 1; for these I would like to plot a number of them one below the other to see what is happening)
It doesn't put the different variables one above the other - it will plot them on the same axis. But you can display multiple status variables quite well (as well as plotting power alongside it).
Looking at the HEM developpers manual, it seems to indicate that the KWH is indeed integrated in the device, but there is no command to reset it - other than a command to reset all default values.
Well resetting it all would be an option. Then it would start counting at zero again.
Do you have a link to the device? I've not come across an individual metering device with a UK plug.
Sorry, it is not a plug in device. It is supposed to go behind your wall sockets. However, I found there is not enough room in the box behind the plug (box would need to be about 45mm deep and in UK that is often only 30mm; the aeon device is about 20mm). So what I did is to use a double box with a single plug on one side and a switch with the aeon energy meter at the other side. Now you can use the switch to switch the socket or a z-wave command. (I dont want to put a link to a shop here but if you google for "Aeon Labs Micro Smart Energy Switch w/ Z-Wave" you find it).
It doesn't put the different variables one above the other - it will plot them on the same axis. But you can display multiple status variables quite well (as well as plotting power alongside it).
I installed dataMine and test it now. Works nice. Some things that might be helpful are
- When logging binary values it might be useful to specify an offset for a variable. For example you want to log A and B and plot them in the same graph. A could have an offset of 0 and B an offset of 2; in this case A jumps between 0 and 1 and B between 2 and 3 and you can then plot them on the same page (offset could be automatic depending on how many binary variables should be plotted in the same graph)
- I have to log variables that are not numbers but something like "on" and "off". Would be nice to specify how to translate these (into 0 and 1 for example).
- Keeping state so that it remembers which variables to show when I click on it.
Sorry, it is not a plug in device. It is supposed to go behind your wall sockets.
Ah - sorry - my mistake. I had seen these. For some reason I thought you were referring to a plug-in device with energy monitoring...
When logging binary values it might be useful to specify an offset for a variable
I'll have a think about this - maybe I can look at making one axis available for display of binary data, and then add the offset. It's a good idea...
I have to log variables that are not numbers but something like "on" and "off".
This is something someone else asked for, but I haven't given a lot of thought about (yet).
Keeping state so that it remembers which variables to show when I click on it.
Can you elaborate on this? At the moment, when you re-open dataMine, it should display the graph that was last displayed. The early version didn't do this, but I think the current release should (it does on my machine). What isn't maintained is the selection list when you re-open dataMine. This list needs to be repopulated in case you've added or removed variables.
Keeping state so that it remembers which variables to show when I click on it.
Can you elaborate on this? At the moment, when you re-open dataMine, it should display the graph that was last displayed. The early version didn’t do this, but I think the current release should (it does on my machine). What isn’t maintained is the selection list when you re-open dataMine. This list needs to be repopulated in case you’ve added or removed variables.
It currently does not show the graph that was visible last. I took the version from the svn (I think I got the right one, how can I check that).
I took the version from the svn (I think I got the right one, how can I check that).
I've just checked the SVN version, and it doesn't have this. I thought it was done at the same time I added the multi-channel graphing, but clearly not!
I’ll update the SVN tonight and will also post an update here.
Chris, I now use the dataMine plugin to monitor variables and this works really well. In addition to the graphs provided by dataMine I create a webpage (based on the log data created by dataMine) served by vera that contains all variables on one page in a 24h window (See screenshot attached).
One of the problems with dataMine is it has to process a lot of data to generate the charts, and I think LUA probably isn’t the best place to do this. On the other hand, having a live drill-down of graphs (zoom/scroll etc) is nice - one day I might have to look to see if I can do something in C to speed things up.
Your idea has a lot of merit for “standard” graphs. I think at the moment there’s no one answer, so your combined approach is quite nice.
Utz - can I tap you for some info on these? Ive not yet bought any, due to struggling with the (poor) documentation.
How have you wired these up? In the patress box/behind/in-line etc? Did you wire the wall socket switch to the switch input on the M.E.S as well, or just controlled by Z-Wave? Also - whats the 3.3v inputs and outputs for - do they need to be connected?
Im considering using them behind lighting wall switches as well, but as my (UK) wiring doesnt have a neutral, Im assessing viability of powering the M.E.S from nearby wall socket (pull neutral up to lighting socket) and using the wall switch, which raises the last question - do they actually work with traditional UK on/off switches, or do they need to be momentary action switches?
TIA!
[quote=“utz, post:1, topic:169464”]I installed two Aeon Labs Micro Smart Energy Switch to monitor and control my Washer and my Dryer. It all works and it reports Watt (Also the energy metering stuff at mios seem to work (but they do not bother to put units at the scales so I do not know what it actually shows)).
I would like to log/plot kWh myself. I wonder how to get at that data. In the Advanced tab I can see variables “KWHReading” and “KWH”. I assume it shows the last time the switch reported KWH and the corresponding reading. But, since when does the switch count the kWh (there is a variable called LastReset is it counting since then?). How can I reset the kWh counting? I can see no button but S_EnergyMeetering1.xml has an Action called ResetKWH.
I need to pull out the documentation again. I try to answer from memory now. I first installed some really deep patress boxes as it will be hard to get device behind the socket (with all the cabling). I used a double socket. In the left side I put a switch you normally use for a door bell; in the right I put a socket. I used the switch to locally switch on/off the socket. The z-wave device fits behind the switch (less deep then the socket). The z-wave device has Load Live, Load Neutral, Live Power Input, Neutral Power Input (so works with 2 wire system in UK; be aware there are 2 datasheets out there, one for the old version of the device which did not have all these connectors). The other connectors are for the button. The 3.3V may be used for powering an LED I guess (I did not use that part).
Im considering using them behind lighting wall switches as well, but as my (UK) wiring doesnt have a neutral, Im assessing viability of powering the M.E.S from nearby wall socket (pull neutral up to lighting socket) and using the wall switch, which raises the last question - do they actually work with traditional UK on/off switches, or do they need to be momentary action switches?
You can change the interpretation of the switch input. It understands on/off OR a simple button. I used a simple door bell button as it otherwise gets confusing with an on/off switch (you never know which state it will be in).
Useful intel from you guys – will need to dig into the datamine plug-in myself. I’m struggling to source these micro switches – seem more available outside the US than in. Not even presented on Aeon’s website from what I can see. Struggling with UL approval perhaps?
Anyone who reads this have a steer on where to buy these (in the US)?
Just a follow-up, as I heard back from Aeon this morning to my query – sounds like they are just getting them into the US picture. (I don’t have any association with Aeon, so hopefully no one thinks this is some ad for them. In fact, if anyone knows of any reasonable alternative to these devices as relates to ‘in wall’ power metering, I’m all ears.)
I have to chew on whether I need 50 of these – likely need about 1/3 of that quantity. Hence, may need to await arrival on SmartHome or other purchase portal.
What is up with these devices. Might solve some of my HEM challenges (good idea), but looks like you guys have extreme problems getting them supplied and/or UL approval for US?
In any event, would love to buy a few, if you know when, where, how to get them. That no details (anymore) on your website makes me think you are ‘giving up’ on them?
As follows:
Thanks for contacting us first of all.
The Miros Switch/Illuminator (without power metering), as well as the Micro Smart Energy Switch/Illuminator are just UL listed recently. So you might not find it on our website before.
Temporary, you might by from us directly since they are just ready for US market.