The way I work is really quite simple. When you buy me, you’ll also get a sensor clip and a transmitter. The sensor clip attaches to either of the mains electricity cables leading from your home’s meter box to your fuse box. It’s easy to do, though if you’re in any doubt, ask the advice of a qualified electrician or contact our helpdesk.
The sensor clip plugs into the transmitter (2) which needs to be positioned securely on a shelf or other, unmoving flat surface. The transmitter sends information to me (1) inside your home.
The sensor clip and transmitter measure the electricity coming into your home, and on my display, I show you in watts or in cost how much electricity your home is using at any moment.
On my underside are coloured lights which also show how much energy you’re using. When my lights glow blue, you’re using less electricity than normal. When there’s a purple glow, you’re using the average for your home. And when they’re red, you’re using more electricity than usual.
Step 1
Insert the batteries into the transmitter
Insert the batteries into the transmitter.
The transmitter takes four AA batteries. Make sure the end of the battery marked goes in the end of the tray marked (making sure the aerial on the transmitter is extended). Then plug in the sensor lead of the sensor clip.
Step 2
Attach the sensor clip
The sensor clip can be attached to either of the two cables running from the electricity meter to the fuse box. If your meter is a long way from your fuse box (as you might find in a block of flats), connect the clip to the cable where it enters the fuse box, so that the transmitter is as near as possible to where you’ll be using me. Simply undo the sensor clip and fit it around the cable. Make sure the clip top is firm and secure in the clip base..
Step 3
Position the transmitter
The transmitter can go on the wall next to the meter (or fuse box), or on a nearby shelf if there is one. If your meter is in a meter box, the transmitter may work best if it’s outside of this. If the sensor lead does not reach outside, it will work from inside the box but the range may not be as good. And if the transmitter is in an outdoor location where wet weather could touch it, wrap it in a plastic bag
• Able to measure single, twin and three phase systems (extra clips required for three phase).
• 12.5KW max per phase.
• 1 watt resolution of display.
• 14-segment LED digital display.
• RGB LED full colour ambient light.
• 32kb non-volatile EEPROM internal memory.
• 433Mhz transmitter/receiver – approx. 30m range.
• 3-20 second refresh rate – user changeable.
• Sensor battery life: 3-6 months.
• Display battery life: up to 3 months.
• USB 1.0 and 2.0 compatible.
• USB-A to USB mini-A cable supplied.
• Currency changeable: £ and €.
• Casings made from polycarbonate, polypropylene and ABS.
• Display: 105mm x 170mm x 55mm.
• Transmitter: 110mm x 84mm x 26mm.
• Software: Mac and PC compatible. .
Shortly after getting it we uncovered a fault with a pump which serves a well in the garden – it had become faulty and was constantly on making for extremely high electricity bills.
We also stay in quite a large house so it is useful to look at Wattson before going out to make sure the children haven’t left anything on – I think after a while you get to know what a ‘normal’ reading is for a particular time of the day.
My husband is a bit of a gadget man, and wattson was bought as a gift for him but the whole family find it interesting and it makes the children aware of using electricity, both from a cost and environmental point of view.
Yes, we are very pleased with it indeed!