Energy meters

What is an active energy meter?

An active energy meter is a device for measuring electricity consumption, expressed in kWh (kilowatt-hours). Its main role is to monitor and manage energy requirements within an electrical installation. This enables electricity demand to be profiled, excess energy consumption to be anticipated, and electricity bills to be reduced.

How does an energy meter work?

The active energy meter is connected to an electrical circuit or network. Once installed, it is ready to record and measure electricity consumption. Many of these devices feature programmable functions, allowing energy readings to be started and stopped, as well as reset. Additional options allow you to display, for example, real-time power usage and other relevant information. In addition, load-shedding mechanisms can be implemented in the event of peaks in electricity demand. The electronic meter thus becomes a genuine smart meter.

What are the characteristics of active energy meters ?

The vast majority of active energy meters can be easily mounted on a DIN rail in an electrical panel. Other models are designed for panel mounting. Alternatives also exist, plugging directly into an electrical socket to measure the consumption of a specific appliance.

How is an active energy meter used?

Energy consumption data is displayed on an LCD or TFT screen. What's more, some active energy meters feature an output interface for transmitting readings remotely via Ethernet networks, Modbus connections and so on. These are known as communicating meters.

What types of active energy meters are there?

Active energy meters can operate in:

• single-phase
• three-phase
• active energy meters suitable for two-phase operation

When are active energy meters used?

Active energy meters are used in the industrial field to monitor energy consumption in various circuits and sub-circuits. They can also be deployed as sub-meters in residential complexes. These devices are also useful in commercial spaces. Any setting requiring electrical energy could potentially benefit from an active energy meter to assess consumption and generate energy savings.

To find out more: How to choose an energy meter?

Optim-Elec offer

Finder energy meters

FINDER 7M series single-phase and three-phase energy meters with LCD display are ideal for monitoring energy consumption on residential, industrial and tertiary sites. These MID meters are also suitable for photovoltaic systems. Thanks to NFC technology, they can be configured and read using a smartphone. They communicate via MODBUS RS485. 

Socomec energy meters

The COUNTIS range of SOCOMEC energy meters provides measurement solutions for industry, infrastructure, marinas, shopping centres, data centres, campsites and EV charging stations, etc. They are available in single-phase or three-phase versions, with direct connection for 40A, 80A and 100A, or with connection to a current transformer (tc, ti). SOCOMEC energy meters communicate via MODBUS RS485, M-BUS, ethernet TCP or simply by pulse. MID-certified versions are also available.

Lettel energy meters

The complete range of LETTEL energy meters offers the most advanced functions and is supplied with supervision software. They enable precise analysis of the electricity network.

Imesys Conto meters

Imesys/Legrand CONTO energy meters provide accurate measurement of active and reactive energy for single-phase and three-phase networks. MID-certified, they are easy to integrate into supervision systems thanks to Modbus RTU and M-Bus interfaces. Their backlit display and advanced functions ensure reliable management of power consumption. View the Imesys meter catalogue extract

Schneider energy meters

Schneider Electric's range of electricity meters are composed of two main ranges: the Acti 9 iEM2000, modular single-phase electric meters and the Acti 9 iEM3000, modular three-phase energy meters.