Why is there a difference between my Powersensor & Inverter / Meter Data? – Powersensor Help Centre

This article explains why your data might look different, how to check it accurately, and what steps to take to diagnose and fix any setup issues.

Differences in data can be due to several factors so before making changes to your setup it is best to check these key factors.

Key areas to consider:

Powersensor's Accuracy Specifications: Understand the expected accuracy of your Powersensor device.
Data Comparison Techniques: Learn how to effectively compare your Powersensor data with other sources.
Operational State Check: Verify that your Powersensor kit is functioning optimally, including checking for
1. Low plug usage (for single-phase sites)
2. Bluetooth connection (for single phase sites)
3. Correct optical reader mounting (for three-phase sites)
Sensor Installation: Ensure your sensor is installed in an optimal position.
Allow the kit to complete calibration: After any sensor repositioning or movement give the system sufficient time to calibrate. Keep in mind that it can take several days for Powersensor to learn your home’s energy profile after any changes
Contact Support: If issues persist, reach out to customer support for assistance.

1. What is Powersensor's accuracy specification?

Powersensor is designed to provide energy readings within 5% of your electricity meter reading when compared with the data from your monthly electricity bill.

2. How to Compare your Data

If you are comparing power levels (in W or kW), you may notice differences between readings from different devices. This is normal and you should be aware of two critical factors that influence the power shown on a device - when the measurement is made and the time interval used:

When the measurement is made - your home’s power usage and generation can change quickly. Even slight timing differences between when your inverter / smart meter and Powersensor take measurements can create variations.
Time interval used - Powersensor updates power levels every 30 seconds. If the inverter / meter uses a different interval there is a chance the data will appear to be different. Shorter intervals will show "spikier" readings whereas longer intervals will tend to smooth out readings.

The simplest and most consistent way to compare Powersensor data:

Compare kWh totals over a day, week or month rather than looking at instantaneous power (W or kW) values. This avoids the complexity of comparing power.
For solar output a quick and easy check is to compare totals at the end of the day between your inverter and Powersensor. End of day totals removes the uncertainty about timing which may occur for numerous reasons such as adjustment for daylight savings or how often and when the inverter updates its energy data.
Compare your Powersensor energy data (in kWh) with the data from your monthly electricity bill.

3. How to Check your kit is in a good operational state

Several factors can affect the accuracy of your Powersensor readings. Below are the most common causes and solutions:

Ensure you are using a recommended appliance with your plug

If the appliance connected to your Powersensor plug uses very little power, or the appliance is not used often enough, the system may struggle to calibrate properly. This can lead to inaccurate data.

The plug acts as a reference point for the sensor. When the appliance is in use, the plug and sensor compare data to calibrate the system. If the appliance uses very little power, calibration suffers.

How to diagnose low plug use.

Open the Devices screen in the app.
Check the System Health section at the top for any warnings.
If you see the kettle icon this indicates the appliance is either not drawing enough power or is not being used frequently enough.
You may need to consider another appliance.

For examples of what appliances we recommend, please see our article What appliance should I connect to the Powersensor plug?

For more details about the devices screen, and everything you can find there, please see our article What is the Devices screen for and what does it do?

Ensure good Bluetooth connection between sensors and plugs

It is important to ensure each sensor is installed within Bluetooth range of a plug for communication, which is typically around 10 metres. This ensures reliable data transmission throughout your home. If your sensor is outside of this range, you may experience periods where the app struggles to connect.

How to diagnose bluetooth connection issues.

Open the Devices screen in the app.
Check the System Health section at the top for any warnings.
If you see any of these icons, this indicates that one of your sensors is outside of the bluetooth range of your plug.
If you scroll down on the devices page you will see a bluetooth strength indicator for each of your sensors. Like this.
Tap on this sensor to open its details and check the bluetooth level. If the signal is showing ‘Poor’, try moving the plug closer to where your sensor is positioned. You might find our Bluetooth Range Finder useful in helping you to determine a good location for the plug.

For more details about the devices screen, and everything you can find there, please see our article What is the Devices screen for and what does it do?

Ensure the optical reader is mounted correctly

If you have a 3-phase solution, make sure the optical reader is mounted correctly of the LED on your meter.

For more information please see our article How do I install my three phase Powersensor solution?

4. Check your Sensor Position

The position of your sensor is critical for accurate readings. Interference from other wiring or components can reduce accuracy. Check your sensor is installed in the optimal location.

Optimal sensor locations – House sensor

Next to your main service fuse (see safety warning note below*)
Underneath the meter, toward the left side
On the left-hand side of the meter, towards the bottom

*WARNING DO NOT fasten the sensor directly to the fuse enclosure with the reclosable fastener or other ties. Later removal of the sensor may dislodge the protective fuse holder, resulting in exposure to live conductors and creating a serious electrical hazard

Optimal sensor locations – Solar sensor

On the AC conduit of your inverter (Avoid placing it directly against the inverter, as internal electronics can interfere with the signal.)

For photo examples please see our article examples of sensor installations

How to Move Your Sensor

If you need to move your sensor closer to these recommended positions, here’s how to do it using the Move Sensor function in the app.

Navigate to Devices
Select Total Home Consumption sensor
Scroll down, and Tap Move Sensor
Follow on-screen steps.

This will put the devices into fast learning mode to recalibrate quickly. Fast learning mode typically lasts 48 hours. During this time, you may see unusual readings, this is normal.

Note that it is very important that you use the appliance plugged into your Powersensor plug regularly during this time to aid calibration.

Please review our help centre article, what do I do if I need to move my sensors?

5. Allow the kit to complete calibration

It’s important to remember that initial learning takes about 48 hours, during which frequent use of the appliance attached to your plug helps improve accuracy. Continuous learning then refines the data, reaching peak performance in about a week, sometimes, all the kit needs is a bit more time.

For more detailed information about the learning process please see our article, What is the learning process?

6. Need Further Assistance? Contact Us!

If none of the suggestions mentioned above help resolve your accuracy issues, don't worry! Our support team is here to assist you. Simply reach out to us at support@powersensor.com.au.

In order to help speed up the process, please provide us with the following details:

Your account ID, or account email address – How do I find and share my account ID?
Photos of your meter box – When taking the photo, please include your entire meter board in the shot so we can make a better assessment.
If you have solar – Photos of your inverter showing the DC and AC cables, as well as any isolator switches connecting to it.
Plugged appliance - Let us know what sort of appliance you are using with your plug.