[RE-wrenches] Smappee anyone?

Tue Dec 30 21:20:22 PST 2014

I haven't installed this brand, Smappee, but I have installed a Verdegris
Technologies unit, another nonintrusive load monitoring (focusing on
commercial, while Smappee looks geared towards residential). According to
wikipedia, the technology has been around since the 80's, and was invented
at MIT. The Verdegris system works, in that it identifies individual loads
without installing circuit-level CTs.

I've always been a huge proponent of the eGauge system, and I've added
extra CTs to monitor specific loads at my own house and for many customers.
But each CT is around $40-50, and the eGague system costs over twice what
the Smappee costs. Agreed that there would be some tinkering to identify
each unique load, but that has got to be less work than fussing with CTs
for each circuit.

Some additional notes based on what I read on the Smappee website:
- the site says no monthly fees, so I assume the device acts as its own web
server, like the eGuage.
- the Smappee installation manual lists current clamps only, not a voltage
connection, so power readings will be approximate (there is a power plug to
the unit but that would only cover 1 phase in a typical split phase house).
- for North American Smappee versions, they ship with only 100A (solar) and
200A (mains) CTs, but they don't note accuracy of those CTs. Most CTs have
low accuracy at/below 10% of the rated load, so anything below the 20A
range could be suspect. Conversely, eGuage goes through a load calculation
to make sure the right size CTs are shipped to match the application.
- the Smappee installation manual lists various EC directive approvals, but
nothing on UL approval.
- the comfort plug looks promising, adding the ability to turn off loads
remotely. These also seem inexpensive; there are home automation systems
available that are at least 3 times more expensive for the same
functionality.

-
Phil Boutelle, P.E., C.E.M.
Energy Engineer

On Mon, Dec 29, 2014 at 12:43 PM, <Jarmo.Venalainen at schneider-electric.com>
wrote:

> Hi:
>
> Haven't seen such before and don't have any experience with it, but
> personally I see this as a very cost effective and powerful approach to
> load/energy monitoring.
>
> With just the one set of sensors, (two if you have solar), you can gather
> a detailed load use and solar harvest profile.
>
> Regarding identifying load signatures, from what I can gather you wont
> need to tinker with it to get the data.  It will recognize and log the load
> data, it just wont know what the various loads are called so they'll be
> labeled as LOAD1, LOAD2,....etc.
>
> Looking to the future, I'd be surprised if you don't get firmware updates
> as their software engineers get better and better at load recognition.
>
> I like this one.
>
> JARMO
>
> _____________________________________________________________________________________
>
> * Jarmo Venalainen*  |  * Schneider Electric **  |  Solar Business*  |
> *CANADA*  |   *Training & Development Specialist - Senior*
> * Phone:* +604-422-2528  |   *Fax:* +604-420-1591  |   *Mobile:*
> +604-505-0291
> * Email:* *jarmo.venalainen at schneider-electric.com*
> <jarmo.venalainen at schneider-electric.com>  |   *Site:** www.SEsolar.com*
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>
>  From: "Kirk Herander" <kirk at vtsolar.com> To: "RE-wrenches" <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>,  Date: 12/29/2014 09:20 AM Subject: [RE-wrenches]
> Smappee anyone? Sent by: "RE-wrenches" <
> re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> ------------------------------
>
>
>
> Happy Holidays,
>
> *http://blog.stefangrosjean.net/2014/08/30/find-my-appliances/*
> <http://blog.stefangrosjean.net/2014/08/30/find-my-appliances/>
>
> Here is a link to the inventor’s website which explains the theory behind
> the “Smappee” energy monitor; i.e. that each load has its own unique
> electrical use signature “DNA” and that (over time) Smappee can identify
> such signatures and track them. This without the need for plug-in modules
> or individual current transformers on each load, which we have done in the
> past.
>
> This originated in Europe, I believe the Netherlands, and was launched in
> the US 12/10/14. They have both a droid and iphone app, I found no reviews
> for the iphone.
> Interesting in concept, but if you read the inventor’s blog it sounds like
> it will take time for the monitor to actually sort out multiple load
> signatures. And then the homeowner has to label them as furnace, fridge,
> etc., for the monitor only knows a particular signature is unique, it can’t
> identify an appliance on its own. So it sounds to me a lot of potential
> tinkering would be required for it to ultimately be useful. Definitely not
> a plug-and-play item. Anyone perchance have experience with this? Thanks.
>
>
>
> *Kirk Herander*
> *VT Solar, LLC *
> *Proven PV provider since 1991*
> *www.vermontsolarnow.com* <http://www.vermontsolarnow.com>
> dba Vermont Solar Engineering
> NABCEPTM Inaugural Certificant
> VT RE Incentive Program Partner
> 802.863.1202
>
>
>
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