Energy Monitoring in WATTs

Energy Monitoring in WATTs

Energy Monitoring in WATTs
Energy Monitoring in WATTs
2024-09-04 22:56:34 - last edited 2024-09-05 16:46:01
Model: Kasa KP125M  
Hardware Version: V1
Firmware Version: 1.2.3 Build 240624 Rel.154806

I bought a series of these smart plugs to monitor some small appliance power draw. Mainly so I could caldulate the power load and size battery / inverter backups.

 

The switches are nice but the power usage is reported in kWh which for some of my devices results in very small numbers. Example: 0.031 kWh. And to get an idea of load, I need to ensure the device runs for an entire hour.

 

Is there any way to get current load in Watts on these switches? I want to plug these switches in and read the load, not wait hours etc.

 

I am using the Kasa client on an iPad and it seems limited to kWh.

 

If not these switches, something else that you all sell?

 

Also, I have a KP125M but your forum does not allow me to enter that value. Hopefully a KP125 is the same switch?

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Re:Energy Monitoring in WATTs
2024-09-05 16:43:24

  @andleer,

The Energy Consumption feature is intended to be a measure of the cumulative/total usage of a device. I believe that tabbing over to the Power Section will provide the measurements that you are looking for. The release post for the KP125 has examples of the two different values provided: KP125M: Kasa's first Matter-Compatible Smart Plug w/ New Energy Monitoring Features

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Re:Energy Monitoring in WATTs
3 weeks ago - last edited 3 weeks ago

  @Riley_S 

 

While Watts vs kWh can be displayed via the Power tab, I am disappointed that ONLY watts are displayed and not Amps/mA, nor Volts, nor PF (power factor), nor Hz.

On MUCH cheaper "smart plugs than the KP125, these often show Watts, Amps, Volts and kWh at least. Why is the KP125 not programmed to do the same?

 

Also VERY IMPORTANT, How is the Real Time WATTS displayed calculated? Is it based on a default value of 120V or is the real time Watt value calculated in real time based on the Amps or milli Amps x the real time Voltage? If the real time Watts are calculated based on the real time Currrent x real time Voltage (which is often changing dependant on the loads / appliances drawing power), then the device HAS THAT DATA but TP-Link has just chosen not to display that dat in Real Time.

 

In my off grid situation, the voltage, depending on the real time Loads / Appliance power draw can be 120, 117, 117.5 or anthing in between? The higher the load draw, the lower the voltage from the inverter, especially if the battery bank charge is lower.

 

This to me is WHY I purchased the much more expensive Kasa KP125, as I was expecting more Power Information than just Watts AND then I found that there is no more explanation on how real time watts was calculated? This information was very much lacking in my attempt to read about the KP125 specs and user guide online. The KP125 information that I could find was all quite vague, so I took a chance on buying only 2 KP125.

 

So in effect, the only real value of the KP125 to me, as an off grid user, is that it will overall, as the original poster asked, show the Power use intervals as Watts in 5 minute periods. So this has value in finding out how often in the course of a day and for how long those periods are, that an appliance / load is running.

 

I am VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED that the KP125 does not show more real time power information with the minimimum being real time Current (Amps) and Voltage, which I hope it is using to calculate the Watts. I expected this as well as other relevant "Power" information that most Watt Meters display.

 

I was going to buy more KP125's for their overhyped and disingenuous "better" energy monitoring but I no longer will, as the KP125 is just crippled or lacking features in a different way, than the very inexpensive smart plugs with "less energy monitoring".

 

Or perhaps this can be rectified and improved with a Firmware Update? And perhaps you could answer my question as to Why more real time Power data was left off or at least not a user choice to display or not AND how is the real time Watts calcualted?

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