Energy cost reduction for companies – more important than ever

Find the right solutions for your application with energy meters

Rising energy costs pose major challenges for many companies. Energy meters help make consumption transparent, identify potential savings, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. But which types of devices are available? And what criteria are most important when choosing one?

You’ll find the answers here.

Why is it especially important for companies to reduce energy costs now?

Automation24 offers a wide range of energy meters – for measurably lower costs!

Four common types of energy meters compared

Selection criteria for the right meters

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Why is it especially important for companies to reduce energy costs now?

In recent years, rapidly rising energy prices have significantly increased operating costs for many companies. There’s no end to this trend in sight.

Growing cost and competitive pressures therefore call for swift and targeted action. The key is to identify and leverage savings potential early and efficiently.

This is where industrial energy meters come into play! Once used mainly in building technology, they are now increasingly adopted in industrial applications.

The main drivers of this ongoing transformation are rising cost pressures and the increasing importance of transparency and efficiency in energy consumption.

More and more companies are actively monitoring their energy usage – not only to identify savings, but also to position themselves strategically for the future.

While regulatory requirements currently apply primarily to large companies, transparent energy and sustainability reporting is becoming increasingly important for businesses of all sizes. Companies that act early gain a strategic advantage – both in terms of efficiency and future readiness.

Automation24 offers a wide range of industrial energy meters – for measurably lower costs!

Whether used as a standalone device or integrated into an ISO 50001-compliant energy monitoring solution, Automation24’s broad product range has the right energy meters for your application.

To help you choose the right product for your setup, we’ll explain the key differences below.

Four common types of energy meters compared

Energy meters can be classified based on their application and integrated features.

1. Energy meters

Energy meters measure consumed energy and primarily serve to determine energy costs. For billing purposes, a MID approval is required to ensure certified accuracy and reliability.

Figure 1 - Energy meter

Product highlight from the range

Notably, the PowerTag® energy meters from Schneider Electric are considered the smallest energy meters in the world. They are ideal for retrofitting because they do not require space on the DIN rail.

They also offer features such as:

Real-time energy monitoring of current, voltage, power, and energy consumption directly at the distribution board
Convenient wireless connection to Schneider Electric Panel Server
Simple, EcoStruxure-compatible data integration including alarm functions

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2. Multifunction meters / embedded multimeters

Multifunction meters can also measure energy consumption but are primarily used for comprehensive monitoring of power quality to detect potential faults early and prevent downtime.

They capture a wide range of electrical parameters, including:

Active, reactive, and apparent power
Frequencies
Peak values
Asymmetries
Harmonics

Product highlight from the range

The multifunction meter DMG610 from Lovato Electric enables comprehensive energy and power monitoring at a particularly attractive price.

Wide range of standard functions
Integrated Modbus RTU interface
User-friendly display for easy reading and configuration

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Figure 2 - Multifunction meter

3. Network analyzers

Network analyzers capture electrical parameters such as voltage, current, and power in great detail, helping to detect critical network issues early, optimize energy consumption, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Figure 3 - Network analyzers

Product highlight from the range

The power analyzer DMG8000 from Lovato Electric is an advanced version of multifunction meters.

It offers:

Advanced visualization of energy data using programmable diagrams
Integrated web server for displaying measurements in a browser

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4. Panel Servers

Panel Servers are the heart of Schneider Electric’s energy monitoring solution. They connect multiple energy meters, enabling structured data collection, visualization, and forwarding – without complex programming. Energy flows can be easily monitored and analyzed via the integrated web server.

Product highlight from the range

The EcoStruxure Panel Server from Schneider Electric acts as a gateway connecting numerous energy meters.

Displays measurement values via integrated web server
Connects up to 85 energy meters via wireless or Modbus-RTU
Automatic visualization of measurement points without programming

Figure 4 - Panel Server

Selection criteria for the right energy meters

MID approval

If you need energy meters for billing purposes, MID approval is required. This ensures high accuracy and reliability.

Type of current measurement

energy meters differ in how they measure current: directly or via current transformers.

Direct measurement: Devices with measurable continuous current > 5 A
Current transformers: Used primarily for very high currents. They convert the current to a maximum of 5 A. The correct transformer ratio must be set on the device.

Accuracy class

Indicates measurement error in percent. The higher the measured energy, the more important a low accuracy class is to minimize absolute deviations.

Communication

Energy meters can also be used independently, but their full potential is realized when measurement data is transmitted via communication interfaces to higher-level control systems. This allows early detection of irregularities and proactive prevention of major issues.

Take action today to reduce your energy costs

With rising energy prices, industrial energy meters are becoming increasingly important in industrial environments.

The precise recording of energy consumption enables you to take targeted measures to reduce energy costs and use resources more efficiently.

In addition, multifunction meters or network analyzers help you detect unusual energy consumption patterns – allowing you to identify potential weaknesses early on before they lead to costly system downtime.

For companies, reducing energy costs is becoming increasingly important to maintain profitability. In Automation24’s extensive product range, you’ll find solutions from strong brands such as Schneider Electric, Lovato Electric, Siemens and Selec, helping you manage your energy consumption efficiently.

Do you have questions or want personal advice?

Feel free to contact our competent Automation24 customer support – we are happy to help!

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