Emporia Vue Installation

In this video, Chris installs the Emporia Vue energy monitor in his electric panel.
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[@sparkytas]

I'm an electrician and I'm supposed to say, "only electricians should remove the escutcheon". This guy - HandyDad - actually did a great job of explaining how to safely do it, as I know there are lots of people are going to do it anyway. I'd much rather a sensible, practical explainer video as I'm a huge fan of harm minimisation through knowledge sharing. Great job HandyDad!

[@handydadtv]

Wow. Thanks for the feedback. 😊

[@UnitedCognitions]

Marcus or OP, do you happen to know if this works with solar? I have a power purchase agreement setup, do you know if there is usually a second main for the solar component in this type of setup? Thanks for the video!! It looks much easier than I initially anticipated.

[@sparkytas]

@@UnitedCognitions Hi Ryan If you have a section of cable going to your solar inverter that you can put a clamp around, it should be able to measure the current coming in from solar inverter. I don't know if the Vue can "read" this supply as input rather than output. You need to have the clamp oriented the right way... I've just ordered a Vue, so will be installing it shortly and will learn how it "reads" solar input.

[@handydadtv]

Yes, it works with solar. Depending on the power flow relative to direction of the arrow on the CT, it can register as power consumed or generated.

[@1zebula1]

Finally. A practical clear & concise how to. Appreciate you dad.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks so much 😊

[@portlandlocalchurch8168]

Thanks for sharing your install with us. I purchased this same kit nearly 2 months ago and hopefully today is the day I finally install it lol Your instructions are encouraging and thorough with all the important details.. I wasnt sure how i was going to manage the antenna part without putting a hole in my sheetrock but you covered that for me as well (great plan) thanks again and peace to you...

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@NatureDerek]

thank you for posting this, i just ordered a Vue 2 then realized "oh crap, i have those big long CAFCI breakers! will the CTs fit?!" ... yes i see they will!

[@handydadtv]

Yes indeed

[@vasocreta]

I'm really liking your videos. Thanks for sharing. I just moved into a new home and am really considering this the Emporia Vue.

[@handydadtv]

I think it provides good value for the price.

[@buckofranco2298]

Great video, thank you. For recently purchased kits the load wire goes AWAY from the breaker. Looks like they may have changed the design so pay attention to the labeling on your coil.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ChuckPoe]

I noticed that change as well. I first thought I installed those incorrectly after watching the video again. I went out to check and thankfully I installed according to the back labeling on the sensors...White wire goes to Load.. at least with the VUE 2.

[@macsterguy]

Very cool! I’m excited to see the results. I must admit my OCD after installing x-ray machines for 42 years and having to have very very very nice looking wires makes me cringe just a little bit 😂

[@handydadtv]

I agree. I was happy to get that cover back on.

[@billjohnson3344]

Curious why with spare locations in your panel you opted to install this on an existing circuit instead of on a dedicated new breaker. I'm never a fan of wire-nuts in an electrical panel - subjecting those circuits to a new potential fault. I know they give you the pigtails, but it doesn't seem ideal unless you are out of spots - and it seemed like you have some at the bottom of the panel. Also - have to say I'm also a fan of this product. I have two to monitor all my circuits, but I had to add a box below the panel to house the two Vue's. You think your panel is messy - you actually did a great job. Try 32 CT's, and some on 1/2 height breakers. And even so, I have to just use 1 clamp on all the 240V circuits and use the multiplier.

[@handydadtv]

I may move and want to take it with me. I didn’t want to remove knockouts from the panel and then need to fill them if I remove it. Just didn’t want the hassle.

[@billjohnson3344]

@@handydadtv I guess I'd just leave the new breaker in the case that you move. Wiring to an existing circuit seems like the bigger hassle, disturbing the wiring and adding a potential failure / voltage drop with the wirenut - like the safety video you recently posted. But that's probably just me being too OCD, what you have is valid of course.

[@Ratboy2004]

If they manufacturer supplied the product at no cost, that is the sponsorship. But thanks. I watched your "after" video just now. I'm going to pick one up! Nice job.

[@handydadtv]

I don’t want to argue but sponsored means cash. I can’t pay the mortgage with free stuff. Regardless, I’m glad it was helpful.

[@woodandgears2865]

FWIW, I think sponsorship is a payment contingent upon the video being made. I.e. if you don't make the video, you don't get paid. But sending a free product is usually not contingent on anything, but is sent to people who are likely to make a review video on it. It is maybe a subtle distinction, but matters to me a bit.

[@handydadtv]

@woodandgears2865 Thanks and I agree. Sponsorship is a commitment. Regardless of the verbiage, I always disclose when I am showing a free product vs. getting paid.

[@rocketceo]

Super video, good job! If I have all 16 CTs installed, can the app also handle additional Emporia smart outlets? Thx.

[@handydadtv]

Yes. You can have both.

[@WallaceTX]

Thank you for this video. You can very good explain.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@scottb9109]

Would love to see your Tesla results.... I've been on the fence about buying one because I'm not sure what the actual cost would be to charge it. Your answers might push me over the edge to buy one :)

[@handydadtv]

Right now, it costs me around 5 cents per mile in electricity to drive my Tesla. Compared to 14 cents per mile in gas to drive my wife’s Lexus RX350.

[@shawnhaywood4199]

Thanks for the video. How are clamps attached to appliances that have more than one wire connecting to the panel. Ie. Hot tub?

[@handydadtv]

Good question. You only put the CT on one leg of a 240-volt circuit (the ones with double wide breakers). You just tell the app it’s a 240v circuit.

[@cricketmasterclass9897]

@@handydadtv hi my one of double breakers say 30 amp and other says 40 amp. Should I use 1.5 multiplier for 30 and 2.0 for 40 in app or both 2.0? Thanks for detailed information for installation, but information on configuration in app is limited or may be I am novice😅 Also some single breaker says 15 amps and some 20 amps. Should I use .75 and 1 multiplier for them? I’m trying to get accurate data.

[@handydadtv]

@Cricket - The CTs measure amperage. You don’t need to configure anything for breaker size. You just need to tell it which CT is on a double breaker by using a multiplier of 2. And you only use a CT on one leg of a double breaker.

[@aredd92]

Just an fyi, you can slide off and reverse the plastic grommet on the Wi-Fi antenna so that it “plugs into” one of the punch outs from the inside of the panel.

[@handydadtv]

Good tip!

[@punkuk1979]

Great Video I just purchased one of these but but man what a mess of wires this is not going to help with my OCD

[@handydadtv]

LOL once the cover is back on, you won’t see them.

[@LazyTinya]

how long does it take to install it this monitor with 16 sensor , I purchased one but the company that I asked said it will take 6-8 hrs and they charge 95usd per hour plus 35 for transportation.

[@handydadtv]

Get another bid. It takes about an hour.

[@LazyTinya]

@@handydadtv Thank you..

[@alexb2082]

I'm of the Jurassic Park generation, which means I was waiting for a velociraptor to jump out after you turned on all the breakers.

[@handydadtv]

Best comment! 👍🏻

[@allwaysadventure6082]

I have an RV site that has 1 120v GFCI receptacle and 1 50 amp RV receptacle. I am wanting to monitor the power usage of the entire panel. Do I have to use the small sensors? Or can I follow the along with the first 7 minutes of this video?

[@handydadtv]

If you only care about the entire panel, you don’t need the small sensors.

[@majorhavoc9693]

I was hoping you'd comment on the incoming lines and whats what. Im assuming the middle one (white) is neutral? My 3 lines are all black and the place where the middle wire is is labeled N for neutral. Its confusing because emporia only show systems with 2 wires and doesnt address my configuration.

[@handydadtv]

You don’t put sensors on any neutrals.

[@NauTzZz]

5:28 does this mean if either of those breakers was off, the device would be off also?

[@handydadtv]

Probably only if both are off. I never tried.

[@danielg6636]

Hello. So if just want to track the whole subpanel for an ADU, you just need to use the two main sensors and that would be fine? Since you used the main sensors and all the other sensors, you are tracking the incoming power and also each individual appliance/breaker?

[@handydadtv]

Assuming the breaker for your subpanel is in your main panel, just put the Vue in the main panel, big CTs on the incoming mains and a small CT on the subpanel line plus any other circuits you want to measure.

[@danielg6636]

@@handydadtv It is. The only issue is that the wifi is at the opposite end from the main panel which is a good 50 feet and many walls in between. So what would be the way to go about it, to just install it on the subpanel in the ADU?

[@handydadtv]

@danielg6636 Sure, if that’s all you want to measure, you can put a Vue with only the two big CTs if you don’t care about individual circuits.

[@kenhoward127]

Question, if installing the Vue and the Emporia EV charger, do you need a sensor on the charger's breaker, or do they work together in the app to make a sensor on that breaker not needed? Ordering both today and I'm trying to plan the sensors since I have more than 16 circuits.

[@handydadtv]

They work together. No need to use a CT on that circuit.

[@kenhoward127]

@HandyDadTV thanks... sweet one more to use elsewhere.

[@hbrown1915]

Would I need to purchase two kits if I have two separate panels in my house?

[@handydadtv]

Yes

[@colincarter5266]

Very well done. Thanks.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks so much 😊

[@busyboyproductions]

Thanks. Great video

[@handydadtv]

Thanks 😊

[@SpookyApparition]

We had an electrician friend install everything, but he wouldn't connect he two main sensors because he said turning off the main power in the box wasn't sufficient; our utility company needs to kill the power from outside the house to be safe. Does this sound right? Also, if I want to move sensors around, does that require turning off the main power, or just the circuits that I want to adjust? It's been interesting to discover how many circuits the previous homeowner mislabeled! We have 4 circuits that have drawn zero power in over 3 weeks, so I want to move those sensors to 4 new circuits and try to figure out what they're powering.

[@handydadtv]

He’s right that the only way to kill the mains is to pull the meter. But the sensors snap on the wires and I don’t see it as a risk. My mains were live when I installed it. Whether you turn off your main breaker or not is a question of skill and comfort. A lot of electricians replace outlets on live circuits, but I don’t. Because you hired an electrician and are even asking the question, I would recommend you turn off the main breaker before opening your panel. Makes perfect sense to move them off circuits that draw no power.

[@Hubjeep]

I have two panels, can the phone app support two units?

[@handydadtv]

Yes it can.

[@nathanwiel6347]

Im an electrician and we normaly use energy/power data loggers to measere the total energy consumption of a building. The emporia energy meter your showing is actualy a more simplefied version of these energy data loggers. What your calling sensors are actually CT'S ( current transformers ). And normally to measure the total energy use we would place our CT'S only on the 2 phases or 3 phases entering into the main circuit breaker. So you dont need to use al 16 CT'S. You could just use the 3 big ones and you will be able to measure your total energy consumption.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks for your input

[@eugsmiley]

True, but if you watch the next video where he reviews the app, you see how the data given is more granular. He was able to find a phantom load wasting power based on what circuit was being used.

[@amalkhaleq]

what if i only wants to monitor the main total energy without connecting the small sensors . will connecting only the two big sensors and use the app. will this work ?

[@handydadtv]

Yes. You can buy a kit with just the main sensors.

[@mickeymallette2663]

Do you use two sensors for the double pole breakers that are powering 240V appliances like my HVAC and Oven, etc.?

[@handydadtv]

No, you only need a sensor on one leg of a 240v circuit.

[@carmaster1693]

Do u have tutorial how to use their software? Also, what about the three phase branch circuit, how is the connection of ct sensor?

[@carmaster1693]

Also if I don't have neutral bar, where should I connect he white wire? I system here is live to live wire and not live to neutral

[@handydadtv]

Contact the company. I have no experience with that.

[@towhidskynet]

how long it normally takes to install the system?

[@handydadtv]

Roughly an hour.

[@banditware]

Do you have to use the 2 main sensors? I have a sub panel that has all the ckt's I want to monitor. The main is FAR away.

[@handydadtv]

You can put the Vue in the sub panel. Your “mains” would be the lines coming into the sub panel.

[@cricketmasterclass9897]

hi my one of double breakers say 30 amp and other says 40 amp. Should I use 1.5 multiplier for 30 and 2.0 for 40 in app or both 2.0? Thanks for detailed information for installation, but information on configuration in app is limited or may be I am novice😅 Also some single breaker says 15 amps and some 20 amps. Should I use .75 and 1 multiplier for them? I’m trying to get accurate data

[@handydadtv]

The CTs measure amperage. You don’t need to configure anything for breaker size. You just need to tell it which CT is on a double breaker by using a multiplier of 2. And you only use a CT on one leg of a double breaker.

[@eugsmiley]

To explain the double breakers, they are the ones passing 240V instead of 120V. Think furnace, hot water heater, A/C, and car charger.

[@jotr2579]

At first I only had one panel, but I had a generator installed last year, the generator was not powerful enough to power the whole house, so the electrician had to install a 2nd panel and move the circuit breaker the most important on this panel... With an Emporia Monitoring, can I monitor the 2 panels, if in total I want to monitor less than 16 circuit breakers?

[@handydadtv]

Technically I guess you could if the leads are long enough.

[@dougfry9949]

@@handydadtv I was told you can extend the CT cables to

[@cebrian99]

Did you record video of the antenna knock out? That was what I was looking for -_-

[@handydadtv]

No because mine was non-standard. The best way to do it is to insert the antenna from the outside.

[@cebrian99]

@@handydadtv mine is just like yours, so you got one of the larger knockouts, and then kind of brute forced it through? 😂, Did you check if it got any signal inside the panel? My wifi is pretty close to the panel

[@handydadtv]

That’s exactly how I did it. 👍🏻 The circuit panel is grounded. The signal won’t pass through. I didn’t bother trying.

[@cebrian99]

@@handydadtv i did try with mine, as I didn't want to bother with the knockout, and it's working flawlessly, I guess that faraday cage isn't very tightly sealed 😅

[@Sherlock_Ohms]

You don't have to be "mindful of the current flow." It is alternating current...bi-directional. The reason there are arrows on the "circuit sensors" which they are not....they are current transformers, is because they are using transformer dot convention to ensure the windings are all the same direction.

[@handydadtv]

I don’t understand the physics but if you put them backwards, it counts in reverse.

[@cheddarcheese]

@@handydadtv Did you test this?

[@handydadtv]

No I didn’t test it. I just followed the instructions. But this is the same kind of technology in electric meters and I know someone who used to remove and rotate their meter to make it run backwards.

[@billjohnson3344]

Direction does matter in this case. AC is indeed bi-directional, and shifts direction back and forth 60 times every second (in the US power system). But if the direction (and associated internal windings) are not in the same direction for the CT's, they will be 180 degrees out-of-phase with the other CT's and voltage measurements. The system can compensate if you reverse everything, but if you mix and match the direction - it cannot.

[@nunyabusiness1499]

The app says connect the RED WIRES (plural) and makes no mention of the black wire. I had to come watch your video for confirmation. Thank you.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@drusier]

How does it handle 220v double breaker circuits?

[@handydadtv]

Great question! You put the sensor on one wire from the double breaker, then configure that circuit with a multiplier of 2 in the app.

[@drusier]

@@handydadtv got mine installed today. Super easy with your video as help.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RachelTravis03]

Anyone have any idea why after I install everything its tripping the circuit breaker of the GFCI breaker?

[@handydadtv]

Contact Vue support.

[@bori5780]

I wish I had known this device was available. I have had a $en$e home energy monitor, and in the almost yeat that I've had it, it has only identified major appliances. Everything else, from TV to fans and lights fall under the "Always On" category.

[@handydadtv]

I had my eye on that one for years. They certainly advertise a lot more. But I saw other reviews like yours and decided to take a chance on the unknown. It definitely works! It’ll be interesting to see after a year if I spend more on EV charging or air conditioning.

[@youpattube1]

I wish you had shown how to handle setting a 240 v load.

[@handydadtv]

It’s easy and very clear in the directions. You put a CT on one leg of the 240 circuit and configure the circuit to have a multiplier of 2. It’s in the same place where you customize the circuit name.

[@youpattube1]

@@handydadtv ok. Thanks.

[@normkirk65]

Hi. If I purchase the 8 sensor package, can I buy individual sensors ( up to total of 16 ) if/when I need them ? Thank you.

[@handydadtv]

@normkirk65 Probably.

[@ddemier]

Wheres part 2?

[@handydadtv]

Emporia Vue Worth It? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ_Lf6mcgN5lqKs

[@tacocin]

Interesting! I hope there's a a Part 2 showing the app and how it works.

[@handydadtv]

Yes, there will be another video. 👍🏻

[@ddemier]

​@handydadtv where's part two?

[@handydadtv]

@ddemier Emporia Vue Worth It? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ_Lf6mcgN5lqKs

[@andylinton2798]

Major flaw in this system if you've solar power - it double counts the grid input. And Emporia have told me they can't fix it, even though its only one subtraction calculation.

[@handydadtv]

I’m surprised. I don’t have solar so can’t test it.

[@EmptyPocketsCarl]

I have visions of an electrician opening up the panel and just rolling their eyes. Seems overkill, the point of use sensors seem less invasive and enough to answer the questions, like how much is the old inefficient fridge in my garage really costing me to run.

[@handydadtv]

Oh I agree. No electrician would want to service my panel right now.

[@TheSteelArmadillo]

CTs are certainly the ideal tool for measuring current on hardwired equipment like AC units, water heaters, car charges, etc.

[@JuanMartinez-jq8iz]

What a mess.

[@handydadtv]

Only on the inside. 😉

[@Fat_Rob]

I don't know man.. This seems kinda useless and looks like absolute crap in the panel. Nah I'm good. Cool video though.

[@handydadtv]

Suspend judgment until you see what it does.

[@UnitedCognitions]

Idk since my electric bill is $900 right now, this seems useful.

[@legenjerry368]

NEC VIOLATION

[@handydadtv]

Thanks for the reply

[@apex007]

What's the point of this once you see what's using energy? What are you going to unplug your ac or fridge because it's using too much energy? See a lot of smart products that are sold to a bunch of dumb people.

[@handydadtv]

Perhaps you should reserve judgment until the next video where I show how it works.

[@apex007]

@@handydadtv i'll be there

[@cebrian99]

You can measure the power being used, and keep records for how much is used. For example an electric car, or for example monitor if something is working properly from your phone before going to check in the garage.

[@carlosgraphic]

Well, it has a good point. Of course, you are not going to unplug your A/C or Fridge, but at least you can know if your A/C is running more than previous months or a year ago. Due to, wrong schedule setting, or need service. The monitor help to keep an eye on things that consume more energy in a home, in that way it is easy to adjust and made them more efficient.

[@TracyKutz1]

We've had electric bills over $500 for two years. I bought mine to find out what is using so much energy so we can mitigate. Worth the $150 for the monitor.