dapper crystal
Hi,
i just moved into my first apartment and id like to monitor my energy usage.
afaik i have no access to the power meter to read it so i think my best bet is ct clamps after the main power switch labeled "PÄÄKYTKIN". it just cuts the power to the whole panel.
i could say im new to this stuff so i want opinion on this from experts.
I know the dangers of electricity and i know how to work safely so thats not an issue here.
thanks in advance :)
fervent token
Hi,
i just moved into my first apartment and id like to monitor my energy usage....
yes, a ct clamp solution is probably a good solution.
to confirm, is it a single phase setup?
dapper crystal
3
fervent token
then you would need device that supports monitoring 3 phase thugh multiple clamps
dapper crystal
figured that 😅
prob also would want to open that panel to see how much space do i have to know what kind of clamps fit there heh
fervent token
if you can get a smaller blank so you have a spot next to the main supply switch then you could install something like a "Shelly Pro 3EM" you can get it with either 120a clamps or 400a clamps. i assume for normal residential place that 120 would be more than enough
dapper crystal
yea i think mine has 25A main fuse
fervent token
you run power to it and then clamp the 3 phases. then you connect to it by ethernet or wifi
looks like you have a patch panel right there so ethernet may be the convenient option.
there are some other potential options but without knowing more its hard to suggest much else
dapper crystal
one downside is, this outlet im connected to only has one line so cant backfeed from my router
dapper crystal
there are some other potential options but without knowing more its hard to sugg...
i do understamd 😅
dapper crystal
one downside is, this outlet im connected to only has one line so cant backfeed ...
could move the router to another room that has 2 cables
and then just have a switch in the panel
fervent token
obviously work safe, main switch off does mean there is still power on 1 side of it etc... if you are unsure then seek professional help
dapper crystal
i know :)
i'm electrician and automation installer :)
tho dont work as one
i have the education
fervent token
awesome, most people asking around here are not trained so i give a general warning.
fervent token
dont want to say its easy and someone gets killed
dapper crystal
yeaaa
its not easy and its not safe if u dont know what u are doing
107€ for that meter isnt that bad
thought it would be more
fervent token
there is another type thats meter and clamps in 1 which is nice but only if it will fit in place
Shelly 3EM-63T Gen3 / Shelly 3EM-63W Gen3
dapper crystal
i see
fervent token
1 has tabs on the holes and one has cables
the idea being it can sit over stuff and sit above/below brakers/switches in a nice neat package
but only works if it would fit
dapper crystal
Can't get a better image without removing the whole cover and thats not the easiest 😅
fervent token
the Pro 3EM is a more generic option as the clamps are seperate
dapper crystal
Well taking it off is easy but putting it back is a different story
fervent token
yeah always easier taking things apart than putting them back together
dapper crystal
yea
fervent token
but you could investigate if the neater package appeals to you
dapper crystal
might reguire some assistance in putting it back 😅
dapper crystal
but you could investigate if the neater package appeals to you
yea ill have to take the panel apart anyway to see 😅
but it could be better since it wont be showing heh
but then again is that a good thinkg xd
fervent token
although if someone who has never seen them is working on the board and needs to adjust the thing they are on then they are gunna be a bit confused.
dapper crystal
true
fervent token
whereas a device with clamps is much more standard knowledge
theres pros/cons to both. but these are the things i would consider for the job at hand.
dapper crystal
yea
fervent token
shelly are rock solid. and integrate well with HA.
fervent token
as for the network issue. if you wanted to you could get switch's that support vlaning ports so whilst there is only 1 connection between them you can link the ports in such a way to 2 seperate connections
dapper crystal
its not that big of an issue of moving the router 😅 its on the floor anyway currently
fervent token
fair enough. but theres always solutions if you want/need to
fervent token
i use it myself and highly recommend it 🙂
dapper crystal
i just need a machine for it 😅
fervent token
i run it in a vm
fervent token
that proxmox server runs
opnsence VM
unifi controller LXC
pihole LXC
and 1 more LXC running docker for some small things.
fervent token
yeah just gotta work around that with some kind of network wizzardry
dapper crystal
there are loose ethernet cables in the cabinet
so there might be extra wires but not hooked
fervent token
yeah, might be able to sniff them out
maybe in ceiling cavity etc...
or behind random sockets
dapper crystal
the electrical panel has one extra cable
not sure where it goes
so i have to open all of these outlets
fervent token
or as said, stick a decent switch on both sides and solve it it with switch settings
dapper crystal
🤣
thats too easy
tbh this apartment has 3 outlets for ethernet, the one in my bedroom has 2 so its either of these 2 in this room where i am
fervent token
sounds like you have a bunch of options. just gotta find the one that is right for you.
fervent token
oof, they are a bit dated
dapper crystal
Yup
fervent token
if the cable is not clipped in you could potentially use the old cable to pull in new cable and could pull an extra one along with it
and swap out the patch panel for something a bit newer
dapper crystal
Built in 2003 😅
fervent token
well tbh its pretty good for 2003
dapper crystal
And fiber :)
fervent token
And fiber :)
that too
dapper crystal
Okay this outlet has one cable
So it must be that other one im plugged into
Seems to be a pipe in there so shouldn't be that hard
But id rather not do that 😅
But then again who knows how long ill live here so yea
Cat5e btw according to the labels in the cabinet
fervent token
if its one run of pipe you could try the plastic bag trick with a vacuum.
dapper crystal
It might be, not sure
fervent token
tie handes of the bad to the cable and push it into the pipe then vacume cleaner on the other end. sucks the bag through the pipe and pulls the cable
no real downside to giving that a try
dapper crystal
True
fervent token
worst case it doesnt work or only goes half way and gets stuck and then you can just pull it back out
or instead of the cable directly you use string then use the string to pull the cable after
string being lighter and smaller so easier to suck through
dapper crystal
Seen ppl do that too
fervent token
if you do that, then remember to pull in new string when you use the string so theres always a string to pull more/new cable
fervent token
aha, we have a winner.
dapper crystal
thx for the help. will report once ive figured something
fervent token
thx for the help. will report once ive figured something
no worries, good luck with it.
