Installation and first metering report questions

[kevin1]

@msrossi1

Very interesting article and makes sense. However, I see that it opens a Pandora Box, since within all the variations one device has, it’s possible to overlap others’, correct?. Therefore, it explains why Sense may confuse them sometimes.

It’s possible for detected devices / transitions to overlap or be shared / conflated between devices. It’s also fairly common that a single appliance can show up as multiple detections. An electric burner can show up as Heat1, Heat2 and Heat3, etc. for different settings. Central AC will typically create Motor (blower) and AC Compressor detections.

@msrossi1

Another thing I am waiting to see how Sense will deal with are devices behind others. For example, all my PCs, their monitors, the NAS file servers, switch, modem/router, etc. are all connected to UPSs (multiple). The entertainment system’s components (TV, AV receiver, streaming box, subwoofer, BD player, etc.) are all connected to a power conditioner. Are these identified individually or Sense only sees the “first device” (e.g. the UPSs, the power conditioner, etc…)?

First off, most of the post UPS / conditioner devices you mentioned won’t be identified via Sense native detections because most electronics don’t have clear on / off transitions. Same for PCs, Servers and Monitors. Sorry if that’s a surprise. I have adopted a methodology of intelligently using smartplugs to help with the clusters of electronics around my house. Info on that approach here:

Sense + Smart Plug = Improved User Experience

Instead of buying smart plugs for a bunch of appliances, could I put a few devices on the smart plugs, once they are identified, move the plugs elsewhere? Is there a particular brand that works best with Sense? Putting a bunch of appliances on smart plugs runs up into real money. Particularly when I have no plans to turn the devices on/off with the plugs. Why does a smart plug help Sense identify a device?