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Hi guys,
I understand it may be a silly question but what is the function of the energy meter in the ESS system?
I have EM112 coming soon but don't see the reason or its purpose. VRM is collecting the usage, then I have a smart meter etc. so it's all calculated or transparent. Does it work as a load detector?
Appreciate your input.
Yes it is required in controlling the loads power requirements etc?
grid -> multiplus -> loads. And there's no PV or loads on grid side of multiplus then no need for the meter in my opinion.
2. With loads on grid/ACIN side:
grid <-> loads <-> multiplus -> critical/offgrid loads.
Then the victron system doesnt know how much power to "back feed" to cover the loads on grid side as it has no communication with the smart meter.
If the victron system does know incoming grid data then it can calculate the amount to output on the grid side to cover those grid side loads.
Thank you for your feedback guys. It does make sense now.
However, does it mean that the ESS only use an energy meter and not a current transformer? Initially, I got a current transformer CTR12xxxx but then I realised it doesn't appear in the "ESS design and installation manual" hence a meter purchase.
As you can see I'm preparing for ESS startup for my off-grid system.
Can you help me with my last concern?
If my load is a consumer unit the energy meter needs to be between the Grid and the consumer unit? My electrician says that the energy meter can be connected in line: Grid - consumer unit - energy meter. Would it work correctly?
You can use a ct clamp in place of energy meter on the incoming tails.
The energy meter needs to be before all the loads you want victron to know about/cover.
So in your example doing grid->consumer unit -> energy meter is fine as long as all of the loads/circuits are connected on "behind/after" the energy meter
ie grid-> consumer unit -> energy meter -> RCDs/breakers/mcbs for each circuit in the house.
If electrician opts for this route they'll probably do.
Grid-> Consumer unit -> energy meter -> main switch -> RCD -> mcbs.
(from main switch onwards would be normal consumer unit setup)
They might add another main switch before the energy meter. The physical location of the meter doesnt matter ie inside or outside a consumer unit. It just needs to be before (infront of) the loads. An electrician will know this though so you should be good.
Two possible applications in a straightforward system are to
You can use a ct clamp in place of energy meter on the incoming tails.
The energy meter needs to be before all the loads you want victron to know about/cover.
So in your example doing grid->consumer unit -> energy meter is fine as long as all of the loads/circuits are connected on "behind/after" the energy meter
ie grid-> consumer unit -> energy meter -> RCDs/breakers/mcbs for each circuit in the house.
If electrician opts for this route they'll probably do.
Grid-> Consumer unit -> energy meter -> main switch -> RCD -> mcbs.
(from main switch onwards would be normal consumer unit setup)
They might add another main switch before the energy meter. The physical location of the meter doesnt matter ie inside or outside a consumer unit. It just needs to be before (infront of) the loads. An electrician will know this though so you should be good.
