💬 Power Meter Pulse Sensor

[StKilda]

I have two meters I would like to measure: One that the LED is off most of the time and briefly pulses on per increment (at 3200 pulses per Kwh - so I adjusted the pulse factor accordingly). This works fine. The second meter, the LED pulses off (meaning the led it lit most of the time, and pulses off briefly). Do I need to adjust the code in any way to deal with this meter? Thanks. Really impressed it works virtually out of the box.

[mfalkvidd]

Great work @stkilda
I think the sketch will work without modification. The easiest way to find out is probably to try it.

[gohan]

you may need to change the interrupt behavior, but try it first

[bjornhallberg]

Is there a suggested replacement for the TSL250? While it can still be found, it seems to be discontinued for the most part.

I've had no luck with the LM393 solution for my new power meter. Just can't tune it to pick up the led impulses. What sort of diode solution is everyone else using? I'm aware of the possibility of IR communication (https://wiki.hal9k.dk/projects/kamstrup) but it seems a little over the top.

[gohan]

I used these https://www.aliexpress.com/item/5-pcs-LM393-Light-Sensor-Photosensitive-Sensitivity-light-Sensor-Module-For-Arduino-Smart-Car/1729424221.html

[FullMetal]

Hello
my skectch works very well, only I have a double pricing, I manage to recover the information. but I have to modify the code in order to have my exact consumption.
but my code sends me information always on the same IDs.
thank you

[mfalkvidd]

Hi @fullmetal, welcome to the forum :-)

Could you explain what double pricing means?

[FullMetal]

Thank you for your welcome @mfalkvidd

Our electricity provider offers several rates.

HP: Full time
HC: off-peak time

usually the HP/HC rate is programmed at night by the provider.

As the consumption is saved by the arduino, I need two different IDs to trace the information to domotics

[FullMetal]

Here is the modified code:

#define MY_PARENT_NODE_ID 0                   // define if fixed parent
#define MY_PARENT_NODE_IS_STATIC
#undef MY_REGISTRATION_FEATURE                  // sketch moves on if no registration
#define MY_NODE_ID 2                     // fixed node number

// Enable debug prints
#define MY_DEBUG

// Enable RS485 transport layer
#define MY_RS485

// Define this to enables DE-pin management on defined pin
#define MY_RS485_DE_PIN 2

// Set RS485 baud rate to use
#define MY_RS485_BAUD_RATE 9600

// Set blinking period
#define MY_DEFAULT_LED_BLINK_PERIOD 300

// Flash leds on rx/tx/err
#define MY_DEFAULT_ERR_LED_PIN 13  // Error led pin
#define MY_DEFAULT_RX_LED_PIN  7  // Receive led pin
#define MY_DEFAULT_TX_LED_PIN  6  // the PCB, on board LED

// Enable and select radio type attached
//#define MY_RADIO_NRF24
//#define MY_RADIO_RFM69

#include <MySensors.h>
#include <SPI.h>
#include <Bounce2.h>

#define DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR 3  // The digital input you attached your light sensor.  (Only 2 and 3 generates interrupt!)
#define DIGITAL_INPUT_HCHP 5
#define PULSE_FACTOR 250       // Nummber of blinks per KWH of your meeter
#define SLEEP_MODE false        // Watt-value can only be reported when sleep mode is false.
#define MAX_WATT 10000          // Max watt value to report. This filetrs outliers.
//#define CHILD_ID 2              // Id of the sensor child

unsigned long SEND_FREQUENCY =
   20000; // Minimum time between send (in milliseconds). We don't wnat to spam the gateway.
double ppwh = ((double)PULSE_FACTOR)/1000; // Pulses per watt hour
bool pcReceived = false;
volatile unsigned long pulseHpCount = 0;
volatile unsigned long pulseHcCount = 0;
volatile unsigned long lastBlink = 0;
unsigned long oldPulseHpCount = 0;
volatile unsigned long watt = 0;
unsigned long oldWatt = 0;
double oldKwhHp;
unsigned long oldPulseHcCount = 0;
double oldKwhHc;
unsigned long lastSend;

Bounce debouncer = Bounce(); 
int oldValue=-1;


MyMessage wattMsg(1,V_WATT);
MyMessage kwhHpMsg(3,V_KWH);
MyMessage pcHpMsg(2,V_VAR1);
MyMessage kwhHcMsg(5,V_KWH);
MyMessage pcHcMsg(6,V_VAR1);
MyMessage hchpMsg(7,V_VAR2);
const int ledPin =  13;      // sortie digitale

void setup()
{
   // Fetch last known pulse count value from gw
   request(2, V_VAR1);
   request(6, V_VAR1);

   // Use the internal pullup to be able to hook up this sketch directly to an energy meter with S0 output
   // If no pullup is used, the reported usage will be too high because of the floating pin
   pinMode(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR,INPUT_PULLUP);
   pinMode(DIGITAL_INPUT_HCHP,INPUT_PULLUP);
   pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);

   attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR), onPulse, RISING);
   lastSend=millis();

    // After setting up the button, setup debouncer
   debouncer.attach(DIGITAL_INPUT_HCHP);
   debouncer.interval(5);
  
}

void presentation()
{
   // Send the sketch version information to the gateway and Controller
   sendSketchInfo("Energy Meter", "2.0");

   // Register this device as power sensor
   present(1, S_POWER);
   
    // Register this device as power sensor
   present(2, S_POWER);
   
   // Register this device as power sensor
   present(3, S_POWER);

   // Register this device as power sensor
   present(5, S_POWER);

   // Register this device as power sensor
   present(6, S_POWER);

   // Register this device as power sensor
   present(7, S_POWER);
}

void loop()
{
   unsigned long now = millis();
   if (digitalRead(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR) == LOW ) {
   // LED Power On
   digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
   // LED Power Off
   digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
   }


{
 debouncer.update();
 // Get the update value
 int value = debouncer.read();
 Serial.println("");

 if (value != oldValue) {
    // Send in the new value
    send(hchpMsg.set(value==HIGH ? 1 : 0));
    oldValue = value;
 }
} 


   // Only send values at a maximum frequency or woken up from sleep
   bool sendTime = now - lastSend > SEND_FREQUENCY;
   if (pcReceived && (SLEEP_MODE || sendTime)) {
       // New watt value has been calculated
       if (!SLEEP_MODE && watt != oldWatt) {
           // Check that we dont get unresonable large watt value.
           // could hapen when long wraps or false interrupt triggered
           if (watt<((unsigned long)MAX_WATT)) {
               send(wattMsg.set(watt));  // Send watt value to gw
           }
           Serial.print("Watt:");
           Serial.println(watt);
           oldWatt = watt;
       }
       
           
   /////HP
         if (digitalRead(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR) == HIGH ) {
       // Pulse cout has changed
          if (pulseHpCount != oldPulseHpCount) {
           send(pcHpMsg.set(pulseHpCount));  // Send pulse count value to gw
           double kwhHp = ((double)pulseHpCount/((double)PULSE_FACTOR));
           oldPulseHpCount = pulseHpCount;
           digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
           if (kwhHp != oldKwhHp) {
               send(kwhHpMsg.set(kwhHp, 4));  // Send kwh value to gw
               oldKwhHp = kwhHp;
           }
           digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
       }
       lastSend = now;
       
      }else if (digitalRead(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR) == LOW ){
      if (pulseHcCount != oldPulseHcCount) {
           send(pcHcMsg.set(pulseHcCount));  // Send pulse count value to gw
           double kwhHc = ((double)pulseHcCount/((double)PULSE_FACTOR));
           oldPulseHcCount = pulseHcCount;
           digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
           if (kwhHc != oldKwhHc) {
               send(kwhHcMsg.set(kwhHc, 4));  // Send kwh value to gw
               oldKwhHc = kwhHc;
           }
           digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
       }
       lastSend = now;
      }
      
   }else if (sendTime && !pcReceived) {
       // No count received. Try requesting it again
       request(2, V_VAR1);
       request(6, V_VAR1);
       lastSend=now;
   }   

   if (SLEEP_MODE) {
       sleep(SEND_FREQUENCY);
   }
}

void receive(const MyMessage &message)
{
  /////HP
   if (digitalRead(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR) == HIGH ) {
   if (message.type==V_VAR1) {
       pulseHpCount = oldPulseHpCount = message.getLong();
       Serial.print("Received last pulse count from gw:");
       Serial.println(pulseHpCount);
       pcReceived = true;
   }
   }
   /////HC
   if (digitalRead(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR) == LOW ) {
    if (message.type==V_VAR1) {
       pulseHcCount = oldPulseHcCount = message.getLong();
       Serial.print("Received last pulse count from gw:");
       Serial.println(pulseHcCount);
       pcReceived = true;
   }
   }
}

void onPulse()
{
   /////HP
   if (digitalRead(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR) == HIGH ) {
   if (!SLEEP_MODE) {
       unsigned long newBlink = micros();
       unsigned long interval = newBlink-lastBlink;
       if (interval<10000L) { // Sometimes we get interrupt on RISING
           return;
       }
       watt = (3600000000.0 /interval) / ppwh;
       lastBlink = newBlink;
   }
   pulseHpCount++;
   }

   /////HC
   else if (digitalRead(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR) == LOW ) {
     if (!SLEEP_MODE) {
       unsigned long newBlink = micros();
       unsigned long interval = newBlink-lastBlink;
       if (interval<10000L) { // Sometimes we get interrupt on RISING
           return;
       }
       watt = (3600000000.0 /interval) / ppwh;
       lastBlink = newBlink;
   }
   pulseHcCount++;
   }
}

[mfalkvidd]

@fullmetal cool. Thanks for explaining, and for sharing your sketch.

[FullMetal]

In fact, my code does not work as I would like, HC information systematically go back to the HP ID.

Can you help me

[cstewy]

Update: Running for over 12 months on 2 regular AA batteries using the method I described above. Basically rather than powering the tsl257 constantly, I wake up every 125ms then send power to the tsl257, check if there has been a state change in the power meter light then go back to sleep.

[it-slav]

Hi

My heat exchanger does only give one pulse / kWh which results in that there can be hours between the pulses. When doing the watt calculation micros are used and that counter overflow after 70minutes. See: https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/language/functions/time/micros/

I have modified the sketch to use millis instead of micros when the time between the pulses are above one hour and micros if it is less than an hour.

I hope I did it correct ;-)

Best regards
Peter Andersson

/*
 * The MySensors Arduino library handles the wireless radio link and protocol
 * between your home built sensors/actuators and HA controller of choice.
 * The sensors forms a self healing radio network with optional repeaters. Each
 * repeater and gateway builds a routing tables in EEPROM which keeps track of the
 * network topology allowing messages to be routed to nodes.
 *
 * Created by Henrik Ekblad <henrik.ekblad@mysensors.org>
 * Copyright (C) 2013-2019 Sensnology AB
 * Full contributor list: https://github.com/mysensors/MySensors/graphs/contributors
 *
 * Documentation: http://www.mysensors.org
 * Support Forum: http://forum.mysensors.org
 *
 * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
 * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
 * version 2 as published by the Free Software Foundation.
 *
 *******************************
 *
 * REVISION HISTORY
 * Version 1.0 - Henrik Ekblad
 * Version 1.1 - Peter Andersson added millis watt calculation if time between pulses > 1h 
 *
 * DESCRIPTION
 * This sketch provides an example how to implement a LM393 PCB
 * Use this sensor to measure kWh and Watt of your house meter
 * You need to set the correct pulsefactor of your meter (blinks per kWh).
 * The sensor starts by fetching current kWh value from gateway.
 * Reports both kWh and Watt back to gateway.
 *
 * Unfortunately millis() won't increment when the Arduino is in
 * sleepmode. So we cannot make this sensor sleep if we also want
 * to calculate/report watt value.
 * http://www.mysensors.org/build/pulse_power
 */
#define MY_REPEATER_FEATURE    //Added

// Enable debug prints
#define MY_DEBUG

// Enable and select radio type attached
#define MY_RADIO_RF24
//#define MY_RADIO_NRF5_ESB
//#define MY_RADIO_RFM69
//#define MY_RADIO_RFM95

#include <MySensors.h>

#define DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR 3  // The digital input you attached your light sensor.  (Only 2 and 3 generates interrupt!)
#define PULSE_FACTOR 1       // Number of blinks per of your meter. Normally 1000
#define SLEEP_MODE false        // Watt value can only be reported when sleep mode is false.
#define MAX_WATT 100000          // Max watt value to report. This filters outliers. Normally 10000
#define CHILD_ID 1              // Id of the sensor child

uint32_t SEND_FREQUENCY =
    20000; // Minimum time between send (in milliseconds). We don't want to spam the gateway.
double ppwh = ((double)PULSE_FACTOR)/1000; // Pulses per watt hour
bool pcReceived = false;
volatile uint32_t pulseCount = 0;
volatile uint32_t lastBlinkmicros = 0;
volatile uint32_t lastBlinkmillis = 0;
volatile uint32_t watt = 0;
uint32_t oldPulseCount = 0;
uint32_t oldWatt = 0;
double oldkWh;
uint32_t lastSend;
MyMessage wattMsg(CHILD_ID,V_WATT);
MyMessage kWhMsg(CHILD_ID,V_KWH);
MyMessage pcMsg(CHILD_ID,V_VAR1);


void setup()
{
    // Fetch last known pulse count value from gw
    request(CHILD_ID, V_VAR1);

    // Use the internal pullup to be able to hook up this sketch directly to an energy meter with S0 output
    // If no pullup is used, the reported usage will be too high because of the floating pin
    pinMode(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR,INPUT_PULLUP);

    attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR), onPulse, RISING);
    lastSend=millis();
}

void presentation()
{
    // Send the sketch version information to the gateway and Controller
    sendSketchInfo("Energy Meter", "1.0");

    // Register this device as power sensor
    present(CHILD_ID, S_POWER);
}

void loop()
{
    uint32_t now = millis();
    // Only send values at a maximum frequency or woken up from sleep
    bool sendTime = now - lastSend > SEND_FREQUENCY;
    if (pcReceived && (SLEEP_MODE || sendTime)) {
        // New watt value has been calculated
        if (!SLEEP_MODE && watt != oldWatt) {
            // Check that we don't get unreasonable large watt value.
            // could happen when long wraps or false interrupt triggered
            if (watt<((uint32_t)MAX_WATT)) {
                send(wattMsg.set(watt));  // Send watt value to gw
            }
            Serial.print("Watt:");
            Serial.println(watt);
            oldWatt = watt;
        }

        // Pulse count value has changed
        if (pulseCount != oldPulseCount) {
            send(pcMsg.set(pulseCount));  // Send pulse count value to gw
            double kWh = ((double)pulseCount/((double)PULSE_FACTOR));
            oldPulseCount = pulseCount;
            if (kWh != oldkWh) {
                send(kWhMsg.set(kWh, 4));  // Send kWh value to gw
                oldkWh = kWh;
            }
        }
        lastSend = now;
    } else if (sendTime && !pcReceived) {
        // No pulse count value received. Try requesting it again
        request(CHILD_ID, V_VAR1);
        lastSend=now;
    }

    if (SLEEP_MODE) {
        sleep(SEND_FREQUENCY);
    }
}

void receive(const MyMessage &message)
{
    if (message.type==V_VAR1) {
        pulseCount = oldPulseCount = message.getLong();
        Serial.print("Received last pulse count value from gw:");
        Serial.println(pulseCount);
        pcReceived = true;
    }
}

void onPulse()
{
    if (!SLEEP_MODE) {
        uint32_t newBlinkmicros = micros();
        uint32_t newBlinkmillis = millis();
        uint32_t intervalmicros = newBlinkmicros-lastBlinkmicros;
        uint32_t intervalmillis = newBlinkmillis-lastBlinkmillis;

        if (intervalmicros<10000L && intervalmillis<10L) { // Sometimes we get interrupt on RISING
            return;
        }
        if (intervalmillis<360000) { //Less then an hour since last pulse, use microseconds
           watt = (3600000000.0 /intervalmicros) / ppwh;
        } else {
           watt = (3600000.0 /intervalmillis) / ppwh; //more then an hour since last pulse, use milliseconds as micros will overflow after 70min 
        }
        
        lastBlinkmicros = newBlinkmicros;
        lastBlinkmillis = newBlinkmillis;
    }
    pulseCount++;
}

[mfalkvidd]

Thanks @it-slav

I have created a pull request based on your sketch.

https://github.com/mysensors/MySensors/pull/1306

There were some merge problems, but I think I got them all ironed out.

[butaluk]

Hello everyone.
Is it possible to evaluate two electricity meter signals with one sensor?
Thank you!

[mfalkvidd]

@butaluk yes, as long as they are not too far apart to run the cables

[butaluk]

@mfalkvidd Thank you. no, the counters are in one place. Do you have an example code for me?

[sundberg84]

Hi! I have just revised my pulse sensor and have a few suggestions to the code. I have mentioned this before but there can be issues when requesting V_VAR1.

In current code we request V_VAR1 one time and then goes to sleep, and if you like me have a 10 minute sleep period it can take along time to get V_VAR1 if you have a radio on the outside of your GW range.

I would suggest adding:

} else if (now - lastSend > 5000 && !pcReceived) {
    // No pulse count value received from controller. Try requesting it again.
    request(CHILD_ID, V_VAR1);
    recrequestcount = recrequestcount + 1;
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.println("Req p-cnt");
#endif
    lastSend = now;
    return;
  }

and before sleep:

else if (!pcReceived) {
    //We dont want to sleep if !pcRecieved. Return and wait 5 sec to request a new value.
    return;
  }

In HomeAssisant you also have the specific problem that if V_VAR1 isnt stored, the controller will not answer - so you can keep asking for a pulsecount forever without an reply. To avoid this the first time I have added:

else if (recrequestcount == 5 && !pcReceived) {
    //For some controllers, if you dont have any V_VAR1 stored node will not get an answer.
    //Try 5 times, then set V_VAR1 to 0 and update controller
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.println("Set p-cnt and update controller");
#endif
    pcReceived = true;
    recrequestcount = 0;
    send(pcMsg.set(pulseCount));  // Send pulse count 0 value to gw
    double kWh = ((double)pulseCount / ((double)PULSE_FACTOR));
    send(kWhMsg.set(kWh, 4));  // Send kWh value 0 to gw
    lastSend = now;
  }

This setup works great for me, but I dont have the bigger picture - might break something else.
I can add a pull request if you think this should fit.

Here is my full code (but It includes battery measurments)
https://github.com/sundberg84/HomeAutomation/blob/master/Ver 2.X/2.3/EnergyMeterPulseSensor_Feb2020/EnergyMeterPulseSensor_Feb2020.ino

Also there is a strange error with SEND_FREQUENCY / timer when you have this interrupt. Works great if you dont have any interrupts but as soon as you get pulses the timer gets about 4 times as fast as it should be - I have added a correction to this, but I dont know whats causing this.

uint32_t SEND_FREQUENCY = 4*60000*15; // Minimum time between send (in milliseconds). We don't want to spam the gateway. (Corr * 60sek * minutes)

[snady]

Hi
I have done search of this thread and no one seems to have mentioned latency.
I have a test setup using a LM393 running on a particle photon with a sketch that also runs a flashing led. I have tested this with various led flash lengths and intervals, the highest rate being a 10ms flash with 10ms interval . I have a consistent precise reading of pulse interval and number but have identified that there is a 1ms delay between the flash and the start of the interrupt function. This latency is consistent, whatever the interval between and I can only assume it is a result of latency caused by LM393 and interrupt, though I find it strange that the latency is exactly 1millisecond even when measured in micros. Under low meter loads this discrepancy would most likely go unnoticed but with high loads of 72kWs it results in a significant error when calculating the instant power.
Has anyone else noticed this or can give another reason for this that I am missing?
A subtraction of the identified latency from the pulse interval reading, calibrates the setup and produces exact readings

[frydrik]

Hello, this sensor can be adapted for 2-4 meters ?