In previous tutorials, we conducted tests with the PZEM-004 y PZEM-004T with display, single-phase power consumption meters , which have great potential for basic applications of electrical consumption measurement or active power.
For some months I have a new Peacefair PZEM-016 meter which has features and additional improvements which we will see in the following tutorial, in advance I apologize for 3 months of delay I was a little short of availability, I present the meter PZEM-016 It is really very cheap !!
Previous tests with other meters
Previous tests with other meters
PZEM-004 Meter
PZEM-00T Meter
Characteristics meter PZEM-016
Unlike the previously mentioned versions, the PZEM-016 has a measurement of:
- Voltage (80-260VAC)
- Current (0-100A)
- Active Power (0-23000W)
- Accumulated Power (0-9999kWh)
- Frequency (45-65Hz)
- Power Factor (0.00 – 1.00)
Precision of 0.5, current resolution 0.001A, power resolution 0.1W
This meter measures power factor and frequency, the previously tested versions did not have these variables.
Serial Communication
This meter has RS485 and Modbus RTU slave protocol, which facilitates communication since Modbus RTU in RS485 is an industrial standard,
This meter has a black housing type encapsulation that covers all the electronics, which inspires a little more confidence or certain robustness in applications, although I recommend it for indoor applications.
Materials and Where to Buy Cheap
Others Recommended
- PLC Lollete E3U FK3U 14MR + Serial RS232 Wire
- Meter PZEM 004 with display
- Meter PZEM 004T & Other meters
- ESP32 FireBeatle DFRobot
- Current Transformer CT 0-100 Amperes
- Power Supply 5v 2A
Connections
Technically the connection is very similar to the PZEM-004 and PZEM-004T, in the measurement or power part, attention with the following !!!
Warning: The PZEM-016 has a communication port RS485 uses 2 terminals A and B, it also has GND and a 5V output must internally have a regulator (the meter generates 5v), be careful, I suppose it is of low current not connect devices of high consumption, I in my case will not connect anything.
Tests Performed
In this case we will perform 2 communication tests with 2 modbus applications, initially we will verify the Serial port associated to the meter with the Serial RS485 to USB converter, COM3 in this case:
Communication Meter and Simulator Modbus RTU
I will use a modbus RTU simulator configured as Master, since our meter is a Modbus RTU Slave.
Communication parameters, 9600 none, input registers.
Communication with modbus simulator, you can observe the values of voltage, current, power, etc.
Communication Meter and Software Peacefair
During the search for test methods of our new meter, I found the software created by Peacefair the manufacturer of the meter, then the results:
The software was only available for windows.
Communication parameters
We simply configure serial communication and start measurements.
The software of Peacefair works relatively well, in some moments there is a fast disconnection but it fulfills its mission, it has some additional features such as calibration and configuration of alarms.
Other turoriales Recommended
Fast review Meter PZEM-016 Modbus RTU RS485 with frequency y Power Factor: PDAControl
Conclusions
Actually this meter has moved me, since I think it has solved 2 drawbacks of the 2 previous meters in the case of my applications.
- The encapsulation of the meter is perfect, it looks relatively safe and strong, generating some confidence or robustness in the final application.
- The Modbus RTU communication protocol is well known and practical, excellent for the RS485 port, since it facilitates communication with PLC, HMI and facilitates communication in the network of several meters and long-distance wiring.
Note: The PZEM-016 meter is a Modbus RTU slave.
Here in our PDAControl we have already done tests with modbus RTU, with PLC as well as Arduino and ESP8266, soon in ESP32.
On this occasion I have not done the complete characterization of the hardware at the moment I have only validated that it works, correctly in future tutorials, we will analyze it internally.
It has a 5v output which was not available in the other versions, which is perfect to integrate with Arduino, esp8266, esp32 or the microcontroller of your choice.
I will try to integrate it with the PLC that I have available Panasonic and the Lollette that has Modbus RS485.
An interesting application is to add a LoRaWAN module, that for a not too distant future.
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Downloads
Note: Although the Peacefair software is located on the pages of the vendors, as in my case Aliexpress, I will attach the download link.
