# A very inexpensive (cheap?) energy monitor

**URL:** <https://community.openenergymonitor.org/t/a-very-inexpensive-cheap-energy-monitor/26874>\
**Category:** Hardware\
**Created:** [11 October 2024 04:15 UTC](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/t/a-very-inexpensive-cheap-energy-monitor/26874 "2024-10-11T04:15:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**Author:** ![Bill.Thomson](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/user_avatar/community.openenergymonitor.org/bill.thomson/32/1834_2.png) [@Bill.Thomson](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/u/Bill.Thomson)\
**Post date:** [11 October 2024 04:41 UTC](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/t/a-very-inexpensive-cheap-energy-monitor/26874/2 "2024-10-11T04:41:05Z")

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Hi Gregg,

I’m not familiar with the device you linked to, so can’t offer any feedback there.

One low cost device that turns out to be quite accurate (at least the one I have)  
is the PZEM-016 headless kWh meter.

Available on Amazon for 15 bucks.

Here’s a shot of a comparison between my PZEM-016 and my Elkor WattsOn:

 ![image](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/uploads/default/original/3X/4/7/4703aa843a0640a23cd97e7d36c9382d89cb2699.jpeg)  
The green trace of the WattsOn (a class 0.5 device) matches almost all of the  
trace from the PZEM-016. The right pane shows the measured values of both  
devices. (lower right corner)

_Lots_ of info about the “016” in this thread:

> [@PZEM-016 single phase modbus energy meter](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/t/pzem-016-single-phase-modbus-energy-meter/7780/):
>
> Just saw this today on ebay : [https://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-100A-Voltage-Current-Energy-Hz-Power-factor-RS485-Modbus-Module-with-split-CT/352383769695?hash=item520bb59c5f:g:izAAAOSwX7JbKHKy](https://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-100A-Voltage-Current-Energy-Hz-Power-factor-RS485-Modbus-Module-with-split-CT/352383769695?hash=item520bb59c5f:g:izAAAOSwX7JbKHKy) With a lot of function and for $10 seems a great deal. Any one tried it already ? Specs: PZEM-016: Measuring Range 100A (external transformer) With Split CT Specifications: Voltage: Measuring range:80～260V Resolution: 0.1V Measurement accuracy: 0.5% Current Measuring range: 0～100A Starting measure …

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