Selection Guide
Electric Sensors & Meters
Electrical energy monitoring through a variety of products at a mix of price points. Our customers look to gain additional insight into their site's energy use beyond their utility bill. We focus on collecting data from the site's main utility meter and subsequent sub-mains at the main distribution panel, leveraging a variety of products to accomplish the monitoring objectives.
Why it matters
Electricity is an essential energy resource and enabler of operations. It is critical for motor, HVAC, and lighting loads throughout a site. Utility bills only show total consumption — not how, when, or where energy is used. Submetering breaks down usage by area, process, or equipment, revealing inefficiencies and cost drivers. Electric meters are not just about reading kWh — they are about turning data into action, providing the transparency and control needed to run your facility more efficiently, reliably, and sustainably.
Key selection factors
- Revenue-grade (ANSI C12.20 Class 0.2/0.5) vs. monitoring-only accuracy
- Voltage class (208V, 480V, 600V) and system type (wye, delta)
- CT type: solid-core, split-core, or flexible Rogowski coils — verify opening/loop size fits bus bar dimensions
- Communication protocols: Modbus RTU/TCP, BACnet MSTP/IP, pulse outputs, LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi, or cloud-ready options
- Single-load meters vs. multi-circuit monitors (3, 12, 24, or 48 channels)
- Form factor: panel-mounted, DIN rail-mounted, or enclosure-based (NEMA 1/3R/4 or IP-rated for outdoors/harsh environments)
- Advanced features: web interface, data logging, alarm/threshold notifications, Time-of-Use (TOU) capability
Meter types
Wireless Self-Powered Sensors (IoT)
Non-invasive, clamp-on current sensors ideal for rapid deployment and retrofit. No wiring required. Cloud-enabled via LoRaWAN, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi for remote access without wiring.
3-Phase Wall Mount Meters
Single 3-phase circuit monitoring with LCD display, suitable for main panel and sub-panel metering. Measures kWh, kW, kVAR, power factor, voltage, current, demand, and harmonics.
Branch Circuit Monitors (BCMs)
High-density monitoring of 12, 24, or 48 circuits on a single meter board for granular load management. Fine-grained monitoring at the breaker level in panelboards or switchgear.
DIN Rail Meters
Compact meters mounted on DIN rails inside panels. Available in single and multi-phase options. Ideal for space-constrained enclosures, industrial control panels, and retrofit submetering.
Portable Power Quality Analyzers
Temporary or portable meters for diagnostics, load studies, and power quality analysis (THD, flicker, imbalance, sags/swells). Used for energy audits, temporary commissioning, and troubleshooting.
Revenue-Grade Meters
High-accuracy meters (ANSI C12.20 Class 0.2 or 0.5) with utility-compliant features for billing. Used for tenant cost allocation, utility-grade billing within campuses, and LEED certification projects.
Installation guidelines
- Verify voltage level and system type (3-phase 4-wire wye, 3-phase 3-wire delta, 1-phase split) and match meter configuration settings
- Select CTs rated for expected current levels with matching ratios — install with correct polarity orientation (H1 toward source/load per meter instructions)
- Always short CTs when not connected to a meter to avoid open-circuit hazards
- Follow NFPA 70E (Arc Flash Safety), NEC, and OSHA lockout/tagout procedures — use insulated tools and PPE
- Mount meters in a cool, dry, vibration-free environment — avoid installing near large VFDs or transformers
- Set communication addresses, baud rate, parity, and termination resistors; document the network map
- After installation, verify CT wiring, polarity, readings against expected values, and BMS/EMS communications
- Label CTs, conductors, and meter terminals clearly — maintain as-built documentation and wiring diagrams
💡 Pro tip
For bus bar installations, consider meter kits that include flexible Rogowski coil CTs (easy to install around thick bus bars), pre-calibrated CT + meter sets for plug-and-play integration, and CT shorting blocks or fuse protection for safety and serviceability.
Recommended approach
Default to wireless self-powered sensors for branch-level retrofit, multi-circuit BCMs for high-density panelboard coverage, and revenue-grade meters at the main and tenant boundaries. Mix technologies across the building rather than forcing one platform everywhere.
Ready to put energy data to work?
Order sensors, bridges, and PowerRadar subscriptions from our store — or talk to a CEM-certified engineer about your project.