Take Back Control of Your Electricity Consumption
Powerpal provides clear and detailed insights into your electricity consumption. It works with your existing digital electricity meter, plus any Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.
Powerpal measures your property's electricity usage and provides easy access to this data on your phone. You'll even receive an automated analysis of your weekly power usage, so you won't receive a surprise power bill again.
Powerpal is a great way to track your energy usage for your home or business. It even works in unit blocks where your electricity meter is within two storeys of your dwelling.
Powerpal: An Easy-to-Use Energy Monitor
The Powerpal hardware and app are both easy to set up and use. Here's a quick overview of the main screen on the Powerpal app:
Settings & Tariffs. In this section, you can enter your electricity tariffs and other settings. It's the only energy monitor that accommodates the full complexity of Australian electricity tariffs. Pre-set fields make it straightforward to enter anything from daily usage charges to time-of-use tariffs.
Display Options. You can switch between the energy clock, line graph, bar chart, or table of hourly data.
Live Energy Usage. This section shows your current electricity consumption and updates every few seconds.
Energy Clock. Powerpal's energy clock neatly shows power usage over a whole day. You can quickly hone in on times when your power usage is highest. If you prefer a more conventional chart, choose another option from the display options.
Daily Totals. This section allows you to scroll through your recent history. It shows your daily total electricity cost and kilowatt-hours (kWh) consumption.
Historical Data. Below the daily total, you can see a month's worth of data. Click on any day, and you can view energy usage for that day. There is no limit to how far back you can view this detailed data. The Powerpal app stores this information from the date you set it up.
Monthly Tracker. For a bigger-picture view, take a look at your monthly totals. Like the daily view above, you can scroll back to see older data. Historical data can be displayed in dollars or kWh.
A New Approach to Energy Monitoring
Powerpal is an Australian invention that takes a new approach to energy monitoring.
Powerpal uses a sensor that attaches to the LED light on the front face of your electricity meter. It then sends this data directly to your smartphone. Powerpal uses long-range Bluetooth, which can transmit data up to 100 metres.
The transmitter which sits at your meter board is fully sealed and weatherproof. It comes pre-installed with a battery designed to last ten years.
The transmitter itself can store data for up to 60 days. So even if you go away on holiday for a few weeks, the data will update to your phone when you return.
Install Yourself - No Electrician Required
Powerpal works with any utility meter or electrical submeter with a 'pulse output', which is an LED light that flashes in sync with electricity consumption.
TIP: Switch on a kettle or other large electrical load to make your meter's LED start flashing rapidly. Here's how easy the Powerpal is to install:
Powerpal installation process.
Powerpal works with Landis+Gyr E350, i-Credit 400 and i-Credit 500, EM 1000, EM 1200, Sprint 200, EDMI Atlas Series and many other electricity meters.
If your smart meter does not have an LED indicator like those shown above, it may be incompatible. We recommend buying a different type of wireless energy monitor in these cases. See the images section at the top of this page for more examples of installation and metering.
How Powerpal Works With Solar Panels
If you have solar power, we recommend you check the LED at two times of day to understand how your meter works:
- At night, when you are importing power from the grid.
- On a sunny day, when you are exporting power.
In most cases - the LED stops flashing when solar power exceeds household consumption. In this case, Powerpal reports NET household electricity consumption. This is quite useful as it helps you get the most out of your solar panels and minimise usage at all other times of the day.
In some cases - the LED flashes for both imported and exported power. This situation is a little more confusing. It means Powerpal will report exported power during the day, and imported power at night (but with no distinction).
If you have solar panels installed, we recommend you consider buying a Powersensor solar monitor. Unlike Powerpal, Powersensor has been designed for households with solar power.
Specifications - Powerpal Power Monitor
| Power Supply | Pre-installed non-replaceable battery |
| Battery Lifetime | 10 years |
| Transmitter Range | Up to 100 metres |
| Transmission Frequency | Bluetooth Low Energy 2.5 GHz |
| 3 Phase Compatible | Yes (provided one meter measures all 3 phases) |
| Tariffs | Full tariff control, including time-of-use tariffs, single fixed tariffs, daily usage charge, and discounts. |
| Accuracy | Typically within 1% |
| Impulse Rate | Supports any impulse rate. Note '1000 imp/kWh' can also be stated as '1 Wh/imp'. |
| Dimensions | Transmitter = 8cm (H) x 5cm (W) x 1.6cm (D) Lead length = 200cm |
| Weight | 100 grams |
| Installation | Self Installation |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
| Product Identifiers | Powerpal / Power Pal. Model PPL-002, 936998035274 (barcode) |
Powerpal Support & FAQ
I don't have a smart meter. Can I still use Powerpal?
Powerpal only works with smart or digital electricity meters, as described above. It does not work with 'spinning disk' meters.
If you have an old-fashioned mechanical meter, you have three options:
- Buy a different type of wireless energy monitor that uses CT sensor clamps.
- Ask your electricity retailer to upgrade your meter. They are required to do so within three weeks, and some will install it at no cost (link).
- Install an electrical sub-meter on the circuit (or entire property) you wish to monitor. Then, attach the Powerpal's sensor to the pulse output on the sub-meter.
Can I connect multiple devices to Powerpal?
Yes. To connect another phone or tablet:
- Disable Bluetooth on the already connected device(s).
- Connect the new device.
- Re-enable Bluetooth on all devices.
If multiple devices are within Bluetooth range, one will connect directly to Powerpal. This device will relay data to the other phones or tablets over the internet. As a result, these 'other devices' will lag the Bluetooth-connected device by 1-15 minutes.
Can I use it as a remote energy monitor?
Yes. Using the approach described above, connect a tablet or old phone that can stay within Bluetooth range at all times. Your other connected devices will have data relayed to them via the internet, wherever they are. When the Powerpal app runs in the foreground, data will be relayed every minute. If the app runs in the background, it will update every 15 minutes.
Can I use it to check how much individual appliances consume?
Yes. With the app open, turn any appliance on and off and observe the difference in power usage or cost. Powerpal responds within a few seconds to any change in power draw.
As your electricity usage increases, the Powerpal app changes colour.
What's in the Powerpal kit?
You will receive everything you need with your order, including:
- 1 x Powerpal transmitter & sensor. The transmitter has a strong magnetic base you can stick it on the outside of your meter box.
- 1 x Metal mounting bracket and screws. Handy if your meter box is not metal, or where you do not have a meter box.
- 3 x Mounting plates to suit all electricity meters.
- 1 x Alcohol wipe to clean your electricity meter before sticking the above mounting plate on it.
- 1 x Unique card with serial number and six-digit pairing code. These two codes are used together to ensure your data is secure at all times. You enter both codes when you set-up the app on your phone for the first time.
Where can I download the Powerpal app? Is it free?
Yes - the Powerpal app is free. In other words, your purchase of the device on this page covers the cost of the app. Here are the download links for any Apple or Android smartphone:
Can I download the energy data onto my computer?
Yes. Powerpal energy monitors purchased from Reduction Revolution feature a Data Export function, available in the Guidance section of the app. It allows you to export the last 90 days of energy data anytime. The file generated is in CSV format for analysis in a spreadsheet. Note: Data is recorded at 1 minute intervals and timestamped in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).
What other options do you sell?
We sell a range of energy monitoring devices, including:
- Power Meters - for individual plug-in appliances.
- Sub Meters - for hard-wired circuits or areas.
- Energy Monitors - for your whole premises.
Please read our blog on monitoring your electricity usage for a complete overview.