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I'm looking for a grid meter for use with Energy Storage System design. I live in the US, with split-phase 240VAC power, my home has 200A service, phase angle is 180*.
Would the Carlo Gavazzi EM24DINAV53DISX work? I wasn't sure since it's marketed as 230VAC 3-Phase compatible which is not available in the US.
Got an answer from Carlo Gavazzi support. The EM24 does support Split Phase 240VAC, up to 200A using Current Transformers.
I am also interested in this question. Did you actually try it?
I'd also ask if ESS accesses the EM24 meter in a manner that results in the total power being read, or if it tries to read the power for each phase and do its own calculations, or something else. Relevant to this:
On this page: https://www.victronenergy.com/live/energy-meters:start?s[]=gavazzi
It says:
In the ET340 - the energy imported and exported is counted at each individual phase and then the Total is provided from the sum of those values.
In the EM24 - the energy imported and exported is counted as a total power, with net differential readings from each phase cancelling each other out.
I'm just guessing that there is no code in ESS specifically for the US split-phase system because it isn't seen in any supported country. So, will it "just work" or are there going to be issues, even if the meter supports it?
I have not yet, the quote I got from the manufacturer was around 750$ just for the energy meter. I certainly will let you know once I have.
Reviving this. I do wish we had an option for ESS compatible grid meter in the USA that wasn’t $750.
ESS can be used in the US by using additional UL verified equipment between it and the grid, and many utilities will do assessments of non UL inverters for additional fees so there are often avenues to hook up non-UL inverters via utility inter connection agreement process.
You could always install any modbus meter and make it work with ESS in Mode 3.
This isn't that hard to do in Node Red if you run the large firmware on the Cerbo.
https://www.victronenergy.com/live/venus-os:large
2x Smart KWh meter 120V with Modbus
https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Single-Energy-anylizer-Modbus/dp/B07D49N8FH/
https://meters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/EM115-MOD.pdf
1x RS485 to TCP/IP
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C1TC165/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You can create a flow that takes in the Meter data and sets the Multiplus setpoint.
I know this is outside the scope for the average person but it is a low cost option.
There will be issues, like the ESS setting Menu won't work and VRM will not include this data. Hopefully we can get this NodeRed feature soon and then this will be a viable option for more people and VRM, ESS will work like normal and you won't have to do Mode 3.
https://github.com/victronenergy/node-red-contrib-victron/issues/82
But I just wanted to let people know that there is a low cost option will just need more setting up. As this would be around $200.
Thanks. I thought of doing something similar — using IoTaWatt at around $200, which has an API to pull current power use, then have code that constantly reads that and adjusts grid set point on the Victron side.
But as you noted, this kind of thing is a half solution and gets a way from why I’m using Victron in the first place. The ecosystem... e.g, VRM portal missing data, dashboard view on Venus wouldn’t show the mains usage like with the officially supported meter, etc.
The time spent figuring out the coding, then only having a half measure, means it’s more logical to capitulate and get $700 of Carlo Gavazzi stuff.
It can be currently done if you create your own D-Bus service but that is way more complicated than clicking a few buttons.
In the UK the EM24-DIN.AV5.3.D.IS.X (£300) would be used with CT clamps (£30 each)
Very old thread, but as of 2/22/2024 prices for the EM24DINAV53XE1X have dropped dramatically. Unaka, located in Spartanburg, SC as them in stock for $494.00. Mate them up with a pair of Carlo's CTD1X2005AXXX CT's, $55 a pop and you're golden. Desperately needed a Grid Meter to monitor my 2 UL list MultiPlus-II 120V 48/3000/35-50's in a Split Phase configuration. Wanted to hold out for the UL listing of the 5K's but they've been promising that for months and nothing.
I'm in EE her in Florida and we use lots of Carlo Gravazzi equipment at all our substations, they're built like tanks, with failure rates far below anything other manufacture. I think at the $600 price-point, they are money well spent.
Just placed my order, let you know how it goes.
