Open Platform · OpenEMS Energy Management
OpenEMS Energy Management with ecoMain
ecoMain turns a home or building distribution board into a multi-channel, real-time energy data source for OpenEMS. It can provide local measurements for grid import and export, solar PV production, EV charging, heat pumps and other important circuits.
Why Use ecoMain with OpenEMS?
OpenEMS needs reliable real-time measurements before it can visualize, optimize or automate site energy flows. Once ecoMain is connected to the main incoming lines and selected branch circuits, it can continuously tell OpenEMS whether the site is importing power from the grid or exporting power to it, how much power the solar system is producing, and how much power EV charging, heat pumps and other devices are consuming.
ecoMain connects directly to OpenEMS over the local network. Everyday energy data does not need to pass through the cloud first, which is well suited to users who value local operation, open energy systems and continuous data availability.
See the grid connection, solar production and major loads together.
View EV charging, heat pumps and other selected circuits separately.
Give OpenEMS controllers a consistent local measurement source.
Start with ecoMain, then add ecoSub when more branch channels are required.
What You Can Monitor in OpenEMS
OpenEMS uses the ecoMain main circuit and configured branches as electricity meters. The main meter provides site grid data, production meters can contribute to site production values, and consumption meters provide measurements for their respective devices or circuits.
| Measurement | How OpenEMS can use it |
|---|---|
| Grid import and export power | Shows whether the site is importing from or exporting to the grid. |
| Cumulative imported and exported grid energy | Supports energy totals and historical views. |
| Solar PV production | Provides real-time and cumulative production values for one- or three-phase PV circuits. |
| EV charging, heat pumps and heating equipment | Measures selected consumption circuits as named loads. |
| Total and phase-level values | Provides active power, voltage, current and cumulative energy for L1, L2 and L3. |
| ecoSub branch data | Adds up to three ecoSub modules for 40 branch channels in total. |
Supported ecoMain measurement roles
| OpenEMS UI selection | Suitable circuit | Expected power sign |
|---|---|---|
| Hauptzähler erstellen | Home or building grid connection | Import positive; export negative |
| Erzeugung | Solar PV or another production-only circuit | Production positive |
| Erzeugung und Verbrauch | A circuit with bidirectional power flow | Production positive; consumption negative |
| Gemessener Verbrauch | A regular load already within the main grid meter boundary | Consumption positive |
| Ungemessener Verbrauch | A load outside the main grid meter boundary | Consumption positive |
Zählertyp classifies the measured energy flow in OpenEMS; it does not change the sign of the measured active power by itself. Use the correct current-sensor installation direction, or the relevant phase inversion option when necessary.
Channel Mapping
Channel assignments are different for every installation. Before starting the OpenEMS configuration, record the device, channel, physical phase and circuit name for every current sensor.
| Measurement point | Example circuit | OpenEMS configuration example |
|---|---|---|
| Main circuit | Main incoming lines | Hauptzähler erstellen |
| ecoMain channel 1 | Three-phase heat pump L1 | Gemessener Verbrauch, L1 |
| ecoMain channel 2 | Three-phase heat pump L2 | Gemessener Verbrauch, L2 |
| ecoMain channel 3 | Three-phase heat pump L3 | Gemessener Verbrauch, L3 |
| ecoMain channel 4 | Single-phase solar PV | Erzeugung, actual phase |
| ecoMain channel 5 | House load | Gemessener Verbrauch, actual phase |
| ecoMain channel 6 | EV charger | Gemessener Verbrauch, actual phase |
This assignment is only an example of the configuration method. Always select the source, channel and phase according to the current-sensor installation at your site.
Sources and channels
ecoMain and each ecoSub provide 10 branch channels. In the German OpenEMS branch configuration, Quelle 1, Quelle 2 and Quelle 3 identify the device to which a current sensor is connected, while Kanal 1, Kanal 2 and Kanal 3 identify the connector used on that device.
| Quelle option | Available channels |
|---|---|
| ecoMain | 1 to 10 |
| ecoSub 1 | 1 to 10 |
| ecoSub 2 | 1 to 10 |
| ecoSub 3 | 1 to 10 |
Each source-and-channel combination can be used only once. OpenEMS checks all branches and phases to prevent the same physical measurement point from being configured more than once.
Single-phase and three-phase devices
A single-phase device requires one logical phase, one source and one channel. A three-phase device requires a source and channel for each of L1, L2 and L3. The three channels may be on the same ecoMain or ecoSub, or distributed across different devices.
If a current sensor on one phase is installed in the opposite direction, enable Phase 1 invertieren, Phase 2 invertieren or Phase 3 invertieren only for that phase.
Requirements
Prepare the following hardware, network access and information before configuration:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| ecoMain Energy Monitor | Correctly installed and powered on. |
| Current sensors | Installed on the main circuit and selected branch circuits. |
| ecoSub modules | Optional. Installed when additional branch channels are required. |
| ecoMain firmware | Version 139 or newer. |
| OpenEMS Edge | A version that includes the ecoMain Zähler App. |
| Local network | OpenEMS Edge and ecoMain can reach each other on the local network. |
| ecoMain IP address | A stable IPv4 address. |
| ecoMain serial number | The complete 12-digit device serial number, including leading zeroes. |
| Channel record | Source, channel, phase and circuit recorded for each current sensor. |
| OpenEMS account | An Owner, Installer or Admin role that is allowed to install Apps. |
Work inside the distribution board should be completed by a qualified electrician. Confirm the main-circuit current sensors cover the complete grid connection and can measure both import and export.
Setup Guide
Step 1: Record the main and branch mapping
For every circuit you want to monitor, record the circuit name, phase count, actual L1/L2/L3 assignment, the ecoMain or ecoSub device, and the corresponding channel number. Do not identify a circuit from its channel number alone.
Step 2: Select ecoMain in the App Center
Open the OpenEMS UI and go to Einstellungen -> App Center. Under Verfügbar, find the Erzeugungs- und Verbrauchszähler category or use the App-Kategorien filter. Select the ecoMain Zähler card, then click App installieren.
Step 3: Enter the ecoMain details
Enter a clear alias, the local IPv4 address of ecoMain and the complete 12-digit serial number. Leave Hauptzähler erstellen enabled when the ecoMain main-circuit current sensors are installed at the grid connection.
Step 4: Add branch meters
In the Branch-Zähler section, click the plus icon to add one branch configuration for every solar PV, EV, heat pump or other circuit that should be used separately in OpenEMS. Give each branch a readable alias.
Select the correct Zählertyp, Phasenanzahl, logical phase, source, channel and phase inversion option. For a three-phase device, assign L1, L2 and L3 exactly once.
Step 5: Configure single-phase and three-phase examples
For a single-phase solar circuit on L1 connected to ecoMain channel 4, select Erzeugung, set Phasenanzahl to Einphasig, select L1, choose ecoMain as the source and select channel 4.
For a three-phase heat pump connected to ecoMain channels 1, 2 and 3, select Gemessener Verbrauch, set Phasenanzahl to Dreiphasig, then assign L1, L2 and L3 to their actual source and channel.
Step 6: Install and verify the data
Review all entries and click App installieren. Return to the OpenEMS live view and check that Netz, Erzeugung and Verbrauch values are plausible. If a branch phase has the opposite direction, edit the ecoMain App and enable only the corresponding phase inversion option.
FAQ
Can ecoMain be used with OpenEMS?
Yes. OpenEMS provides a dedicated ecoMain Zähler App that reads real-time power, voltage, current and cumulative energy from the ecoMain main circuit and configured branches over the local network.
Does the integration require an enecess cloud account?
No. OpenEMS Edge and ecoMain communicate directly over the local network. The enecess App may continue to be used independently, but it is not required for everyday OpenEMS data access.
Why is the complete 12-digit serial number required?
OpenEMS validates the supported device model, minimum firmware version and complete serial number after connecting to ecoMain. Enter all 12 digits exactly as printed on the label, including leading zeroes.
Which ecoMain firmware version is required?
The current OpenEMS integration requires ecoMain firmware version 139 or newer.
Is the main grid meter required?
If the ecoMain main-circuit current sensors are installed at the site grid connection, Hauptzähler erstellen should normally remain enabled. If this ecoMain is used only for branch measurements, or another grid meter is already installed, the option can be disabled.
Can ecoMain monitor single-phase and three-phase solar PV?
Yes. Select one actual phase and channel for single-phase solar PV. For three-phase solar PV, select one channel for each of L1, L2 and L3 and set Zählertyp to Erzeugung.
Can ecoMain monitor an EV charger or heat pump?
Yes. Add a branch for the corresponding circuit and select the consumption type that matches the site topology. ecoMain provides measurement data; controlling a charger, heat pump or another device requires the corresponding OpenEMS device and controller.
Do the three channels of a three-phase device need to be consecutive?
No. The three phases may use non-consecutive channels and may be distributed across ecoMain and ecoSub. Every phase must use a different source-and-channel combination, with L1, L2 and L3 assigned exactly once.
Why does one phase show power in the wrong direction?
The current sensor on that phase is usually installed in the opposite direction to the expected energy flow. After confirming the physical installation, enable the corresponding phase inversion option and check the values again.
What should I check if OpenEMS cannot connect to ecoMain?
Confirm that ecoMain is powered on, its IP address is correct, the complete serial number has been entered, the firmware version is supported, and OpenEMS Edge and ecoMain are on a local network where they can reach each other.
Can I configure only the main circuit first and add branches later?
Yes. You can initially enable only the main grid meter and edit the ecoMain App later to add solar PV, EV charging, heat pumps and other branches. Add ecoSub modules when more physical channels are required.
How many branch channels can one ecoMain system provide?
The current OpenEMS integration supports ecoMain and up to three ecoSub modules, providing 40 branch channels in total. Each device provides 10 channels.
Build Your OpenEMS Energy Management System with ecoMain
ecoMain gives OpenEMS a unified, scalable source of local energy data. Start with grid-connection measurement, then add solar PV, EV charging, heat pumps and other branches as required.