Impulse Electric Meter
An impulse electric meter connects to any TapHome digital input set as an impulse counter, and a virtual meter shows its energy consumption.
Last updated:
TapHome reads an impulse electric meter on any digital input set as an impulse counter and turns the counted impulses into energy consumption using the Impulses per kWh setting, 1000 by default. You wire the meter’s impulse output to the input (+24 V for power, the white wire to the input), set the input as an impulse counter, then create the virtual device Electric meter (impulse counter) and link it to that input. The result is a virtual electric meter with a widget and a detail showing Energy and Power, where Power is a 5-minute average. Modbus is recommended for electricity meters because it reads far more values; impulse counting suits water meters, gas meters and meters without Modbus.
We recommend using a Modbus bus to connect electricity meters.
The Modbus bus provides significantly more information that can be read from the meter (instantaneous power, voltage, current, frequency, power factor, etc.) compared to pulse counting, which only provides information about energy consumption.
Pulse measurement is more suitable for other types of meters:
- Water meters
- Gas meters
- Other meters that do not support Modbus communication
Electrical wiring
The impulse meter counter must be connected to any TapHome digital input. The +24 V conductor is used for the power supply, and the white wire is connected directly to the input (e.g., blue to +24 V, white to UI1).
Digital input configuration
The input must be configured as an impulse counter: “Devices -> open the appropriate device (e.g., UI – universal input)”
Virtual device configuration
Create a virtual device “Electric meter (impulse counter)” in Settings → Virtual Devices → Add device
Linking the virtual device to the actual meter
The new virtual meter must be configured and linked to the actual meter sensor (corresponding input):
- Device settings → Impulse Counter → select Meter is already connected
- Impulses per kWh is normally set to 1000, but can be adjusted if needed
- Calibration is used if the meter already displays measured values
Final result
Widget
Detail
Important notes:
- Energy can be calibrated in Service settings → Device → Calibration
- Power displays a 5-minute average to avoid interference
See also — Conversion Functions, Energy Manager, CT Clamp — Current Measurement via Analog Input.