How do I install my three phase Powersensor kit?

In this article we cover the following topics for installing your three phase monitoring kit:

• Safety Instructions 
• Preparing to install your three phase solution
• Example three phase installation
• Installation steps for your three phase kit
• Powersensor three-phase installation video
• Preparing your fuse mounting bracket

Always think safety first

Before setting up Powerensor on your home’s electrical installation you must ensure that it is safe to do so. 

Powersensor is a DIY product that attaches to your existing electrical setup without the need to disrupt or make any direct electrical contact to live wires. 

DO NOT disrupt or attempt to attach Powersensor directly to exposed wires. 

Visually inspect your electrical setup for any potential safety issues:

• Does the meter board and inverter appear to be in good working order?
• Are there any electrical cables or protective conduits that appear to be frayed or damaged in any way?
• Is there any exposed copper wiring?

If you have any doubts about your electrical installation contact a qualified electrician before proceeding.

Preparing to install your three phase solution.

1. Check your Powersensor kit and familiarise yourself with its contents, your kit should contain at least:
   • 1 or 2 Powersensor devices depending on the solution purchased
   • 1 x WiFi Plug
   • 1 x Optical reader assembly 
   • 1 x fuse mounting bracket and 4 reclosable fasteners
2. Charge the battery of your new sensors before proceeding with the installation steps.  
3. Familiarise yourself with your meter board (see example below) electrical setup and try to identify the its key contents:
   • Your three phase electricity meter
   • The electricity meter pulse LED output and pulse rate
   • The main supply fuses 
4. If you are installing a solar sensor familiarise yourself with your inverter and identify the 230V AC circuit.  Powersensor is positioned on the AC output of the inverter, the AC circuit will be labelled as AC and have an isolator switch as shown in the example below.   
5. You can prepare the fuse mounting bracket ahead of time by attaching 2 of the 4 reclosable fasteners.  (add instructions here)
6. If you haven’t already, download the Powersensor App and create an account.
7. Have your home WiFi password handy so you can connect Powersensor to your network. 

Meter board electrical setup
Inverter

Example three phase installation

The image below is an example of a typical three phase installation using the fuse mounting bracket and optical reader.  

Installation steps

Follow the steps below to install your three phase monitoring kit, you may find it useful to also view the installation video provided below.

Connect your devices to your home WiFi network

1. Login to your Powersensor App and start the install process.  
2. After reading the safety instructions, select the kit type that applies to you (whether you have solar or not) and select a 2 or 3 phase installation to proceed with.
3. Follow the in-app directions and connect your WiFi Plug to your home WiFi network.
   • When choosing a location for your WiFi Plug, try to install it in a room that is nearest to your electricity meter and inverter if you have one.  This is so that you have good communications between the WiFi Plug and Powersensor devices. 
4. Next, setup your Powerensor home-sensor by pairing it to your account and connecting it to your WiFi network. 

Install Powersensor at your meter box

1. Once the home sensor is connected to your WiFi network it’s time to physically install it at your meter board.  Remove the silicone strap from the sensor as it is not needed for the home-sensor installation.  You can now proceed to your meter board, ensure to take with you, your:
   • Home-sensor
   • Pre-prepared mounting bracket and fasteners (Refer to step 5 in the preparation section earlier) 
   • Optical reader and adhesive pad
2. Once at your meter board plug the optical pulse reader into the USB port of the home-sensor and set it aside.
3. Continue to follow the in-app instructions by choosing which electricity meter you have, when prompted take a photo of your meter and upload it.  The photo is so that we can better support you should you need assistance.  
4. Enter your meter’s pulse rate, you may find we have preselected the pulse rate based on the meter you entered.  If not preselected, check your meter and enter the rate as printed on the meter.  
5. Next it is time to attach the optical reader.  Firstly find the meter’s optical pulse output LED and then remove the backing from one side of the reader’s adhesive pad.  Attach the pad over the LED ensuring the LED is still visible after the pad is attached. 
6. Continue to follow the in-App instructions by selecting the installation type.  The installation will either be ‘Fuse’ installation or ‘Meter’ installation.  If you have an accessible main supply fuse, select fuse based install. 
7. Next you will be attaching the bracket assembly (with the home sensor attached) by fixing the bracket to the meter backboard. 
   • Start by visually identifying the centre of the group of 3 fuses, the number of fuses will depend on the number of phases supplying your home, this will typically be 3 phases however sometimes it may only be 2.
   • Holding the sensor, position it so that it is centred on the front face of the fuses. The bracket will be used to suspend the sensor in front of the fuses.      
8. Clip the home sensor into the bracket’s removable slider and insert the slider (now with attached sensor) back into the bracket
9. Mount the bracket assembly (with sensor) onto the backboard of your meter box using the remaining fasteners.  Make sure to position the fasteners so that the sensor is suspended centred relative to the group of 3 fuses.
10. After fixing the bracket assembly it is time to attach the optical reader head to the meter. 
    • Remove the remaining side of the adhesive pad previously attached over the meter’s pulse LED.
    • Whilst keeping the head of the optical reader centred over the pad, press the reader head so that it adheres to the pad. 
11. Follow the in app instructions to finalise your setup. The app will guide you through to the ‘Test signal strength’ button in the app to verify the sensor is working in the final position. You should receive three green ticks.

If you installed an Energy or Essentials kit: 

1. You should now be able to see your plug and home sensor on the ‘Devices’ page of the App.  
2. Over the next few days use various high load appliances around your home so that Powersensor can complete the initial learning process.

 If you have an Advanced Solar kit:

1. Continue to follow the app instructions and install your solar-sensor by first pairing and connecting it to your home WiFI network. 
2. Take your sensor to your inverter and strap it to the AC output.  Find the best position to mount the sensor using the LEDs to guide you, remembering that one green LED is sufficient.
3. Once you have located the best position use the silicone strap or reclosable fastener (as appropriate) to mount the sensor.  The silicone strap is typically used to attach onto a conduit or cable. 
4. The app will guide you through to the ‘Test signal strength’ button in the app to verify the sensor is working in the final position. You should receive three green ticks.  
5. You should now be able to see your plug and sensors on the ‘Devices’ page of the App.  
6. Over the next few days use various high load appliances around your home so that Powersensor can complete the learning process

Powersensor works by learning about the appliance loads.  If you do not turn on high load appliances Powersensor cannot learn, so when you first install your kit try turning different appliances on and off 1 or 2 times each day in the first 2 days and a few more times in the first week.  Once it has completed learning you can use your appliances as needed.

Watch the Powersensor three-phase installation video below!

Preparing your fuse mount bracket

In may help to partially prepare your fuse mounting bracket before installing it at your meter box.  This article explains the full bracket installation process.