Smart Energy Meters: Types, Wiring and Selection
Short answer: A smart energy meter measures electrical energy and related parameters such as voltage, current, power and power factor, and reports them over a network such as Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Ethernet or RS-485. Smart energy meters are used for whole-building monitoring, tenant or department sub-metering, solar and storage monitoring, and per-machine tracking. The right model depends mainly on your supply type, current range and communication needs.
Types of smart energy meters
| Meter type | Best for | Typical installation |
|---|---|---|
| Single-phase CT clamp meter | Apartments, small shops, single circuits | Split-core CT around the live conductor, meter in or next to the panel |
| Split-phase (two-CT) meter | North American homes with 120/240 V service | Two CTs, one per live leg of the main feed |
| Three-phase CT clamp meter | Commercial buildings, workshops, three-phase homes | Three CTs, one per phase, plus voltage reference connections |
| DIN rail meter | Sub-metering inside distribution boards | Rail mounted, wired directly or via CTs depending on current |
| Multi-circuit meter | Monitoring several circuits with one device | Multiple CT inputs for individual circuits |
OWON smart energy meters models
Three-phase and multi-circuit meters
OWON PC4713-W-485 Open API Smart Energy MeterDIN rail three-phase energy meter with Open API (Wi-Fi and RS485)Wi-FiRS485 / EthernetOpen APIOWON PC4713-W-E-TY/3W Tuya Smart Energy Meter (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)DIN rail three-phase energy meter, Tuya compliant, Wi-Fi and EthernetWi-FiRS485 / EthernetTuyaOWON PC4713-W-E-TY/R TrioClip Pro Smart Energy Meter with RelayDIN rail three-phase energy meter with relay, Tuya compliant, Wi-Fi and EthernetWi-FiRS485 / EthernetTuyaOWON PC473-W-TY/R/N Wi-Fi Power Meter with RelayDIN rail single / three-phase Wi-Fi meter with 16 A relayWi-FiTuyaOWON PC321-W-TY/N Wi-Fi Single / 3-Phase Power ClampWi-Fi clamp-on meter for single-phase, split-phase and three-phase systemsWi-FiTuyaOWON PC341-W-TY/N Wi-Fi Multi-Circuit Energy MonitorWi-Fi multi-circuit meter: whole-home plus up to 16 individual circuitsWi-FiTuya
| Model | Connectivity | Systems | CTs | Relay | Mounting | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC4713-W-485 | Wi-Fi + RS485 | 1-phase, split-phase, 3-phase 4-wire | 3 clamp CTs | No | DIN rail | Open API (HTTP / MQTT / Modbus) |
| PC4713-W-E-TY/3W | Wi-Fi + Ethernet + BLE pairing | 1-phase, split-phase, 3-phase (incl. 3-wire) | 3 clamp CTs | No | DIN rail | Tuya / Smart Life |
| PC4713-W-E-TY/R | Wi-Fi + Ethernet + BLE pairing | 1-phase, split-phase, 3-phase 4-wire | 3 clamp CTs | Dry contact, 3 A resistive (max. 5 A) | DIN rail | Tuya / Smart Life |
| PC473-W-TY/R/N | Wi-Fi + BLE pairing | 1-phase, 3-phase 4-wire | 3 clamp CTs | Dry contact, 10 A resistive (max. 16 A) | DIN rail | Tuya; Alexa / Google Assistant for the relay |
| PC321-W-TY/N | Wi-Fi + BLE pairing, external antenna | 1-phase, split-phase, 3-phase 4-wire (up to 480Y/277 VAC) | 3 clamp CTs | No | Wall (default) / DIN rail (optional) | Tuya |
| PC341-W-TY/N | Wi-Fi + BLE pairing, external antenna | 1-phase, split-phase, 3-phase (up to 480Y/277 VAC) | 2 or 3 main CTs + up to 16 sub CTs | No | Wall or DIN rail | Tuya |
Single-phase meters
OWON PC311-W-TY/N Wi-Fi Single-Phase Power ClampCompact Wi-Fi single-phase clamp meterWi-FiTuyaOWON PC311-W-TY/R/N Wi-Fi Single-Phase Power Meter with RelayCompact Wi-Fi single-phase clamp meter with 16 A relayWi-FiTuyaOWON PC472-W-TY/N Wi-Fi Single-Phase DIN Rail Power MeterWi-Fi single-phase DIN rail meterWi-FiTuyaOWON PC472-W-TY/R/N Wi-Fi Single-Phase DIN Rail Power Meter with RelayWi-Fi single-phase DIN rail meter with 16 A relayWi-FiTuya
| Model | Connectivity | Systems | CTs | Relay | Mounting | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC311-W-TY/N | Wi-Fi + BLE pairing | Single-phase | 2 clamp CTs | No | Sticker / DIN rail bracket | Tuya |
| PC311-W-TY/R/N | Wi-Fi + BLE pairing | Single-phase | 1 clamp CT | Dry contact, max. 16 A | Sticker / DIN rail bracket | Tuya |
| PC472-W-TY/N | Wi-Fi + BLE pairing | Single-phase | 2 clamp CTs | No | DIN rail | Tuya |
| PC472-W-TY/R/N | Wi-Fi + BLE pairing | Single-phase | 2 clamp CTs | Dry contact, max. 16 A | DIN rail | Tuya |
How to choose a smart energy meter
- Confirm your supply type: single-phase, split-phase or three-phase.
- Match the CT rating to your maximum expected current, with some headroom.
- Decide how the data will be used: dashboards, automation or billing. Billing may require certified meters.
- Check the communication method and platform integration you need: Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Ethernet or RS-485.
- Confirm certification for your market, such as CE or UKCA for Europe and FCC for the US.
Guides
- Single-Phase vs Three-Phase Smart Energy MetersLearn the difference between single-phase, split-phase and three-phase energy monitoring, and which smart meter type fits a home, building...
- How to Choose a Smart Energy Meter: A Buyer's ChecklistA practical checklist for choosing a smart energy meter: supply type, CT rating, accuracy, communication, integration and certifications...
- PC4713 Open Series vs Tuya Series: Which Smart Energy Meter Should You Choose?Compare the OWON PC4713 Open Series (HTTP, MQTT, Modbus TCP, RS485) with the PC4713 Tuya Series (Smart Life app, Ethernet, relay) to choose...
- How to Choose the Right CT Clamp Size for a Smart Energy MeterLearn how to choose a CT clamp rating and inner diameter for clamp-on smart energy meters, with the OWON CT options and accuracy bands from...
- Monitoring Solar Production and Grid Usage with Clamp-On Smart Energy MetersHow bidirectional smart energy meters track grid import, export and solar production, and which OWON meters list this function on their...
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a smart energy meter and a utility meter?
A utility meter is installed by the energy provider and used for billing. A smart energy meter installed downstream, on your own distribution board, monitors your own consumption and is usually not a replacement for the utility meter.
Can I monitor solar generation with a smart energy meter?
In many cases yes. A meter with the right wiring and bidirectional measurement can track import, export and generation, but check the supported measurement modes in the model's datasheet.
Talk to OWON about your project
Tell us your application, target market and quantity. Our sales team replies with datasheets, protocol documents and pricing.
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