Six steps take you from the box to your first live reading. You don't open or change your meter at any point.
About 15 minutes
No tools needed
Needs Wi-Fi with internet
Before you start
Check you have the following:
The MeterWatch sensor from the box. Note the sensor ID printed on it. You need it in step 5.
A power socket within reach of the meter.
Wi-Fi with internet access that reaches the spot beside your meter. Your sensor is already set up for your Wi-Fi before delivery, so you don't need the Wi-Fi password. To test the signal, stand at the meter and open any website on your phone. If you use a MiFi or phone hotspot, switch it on and keep it nearby.
Safety. The sensor sits on the outside of the meter. Never open the meter, remove its seals or touch the wiring. If you can't reach the meter safely, ask your installer to do these steps.
Your meter has a small light that flashes as you use electricity. The sensor reads these flashes, so it has to sit directly over this light.
Switch on a kettle, heater or other large appliance. The pulse light flashes faster when more power is in use.
Look at the front of the meter for a small red or orange light. It's usually near the display, often next to text such as imp/kWh or pulse.
Find the number printed beside the light, for example 1000 imp/kWh. Write it down. MeterWatch uses it to turn flashes into kilowatt-hours.
Switch the appliance off again.
Photo 1: the pulse light on a meter
The pulse light, marked PULSE on the meter.
Can't find a light? Some meters have more than one light, and some have none that flash. Send a clear photo of the whole meter through the contact options and we'll tell you where to place the sensor.
Step 2 of 6
Attach the sensor head
The sensor head is the small part on the end of the cable. It watches the pulse light.
Peel the backing from the double-sided tape on the wings of the sensor head.
Line the sensor head up so its window sits flat and centred over the pulse light.
Press the wings down firmly for 10 seconds. Don't cover any other part of the meter display.
Run the cable along the meter, not across the buttons, and keep it clear of the meter's seals.
Photo 2: the sensor head fixed over the pulse light
Centre the sensor head over the pulse light, and run the cable beside the keypad.
Cable too short? Add the MeterWatch extension cable between the sensor head and the main unit. Don't use any other cable.
Step 3 of 6
Position and power the main unit
The main unit counts the flashes and sends them over Wi-Fi.
Choose a dry spot near the meter, within reach of the sensor cable and a power socket, and away from direct sun and water.
Connect the sensor cable to the main unit. If there's space, stand the Wi-Fi aerial upright for the best signal.
Plug the USB charger from the box into the main unit, then into the socket. If the cable doesn't reach, use an ordinary USB extension cable.
Switch the socket on. A light behind the grille on top of the main unit should come on. If it doesn't, check the charger is pushed in and the socket is switched on.
Photo 3: main unit beside the meter, sensor cable and power connected
The sensor cable connected to the main unit, powered from a USB charger in a nearby socket.
The meter keeps counting your usage even when the sensor is off. The sensor only needs power to read the meter and send those readings.
Step 4 of 6
Switch on your Wi-Fi
We set up your sensor with your Wi-Fi before delivery, so there's nothing to enter. It connects by itself once it has power and your Wi-Fi is on.
Make sure your router, MiFi or phone hotspot is switched on and has internet.
Keep it within range of the meter.
Leave the main unit powered. You check the connection in step 6, after you link the sensor.
Photo 4: the router or MiFi switched on near the meter
Your MiFi or router switched on and within range of the main unit. Wi-Fi needs internet access.
Step 5 of 6
Link the sensor to your account
Linking tells MeterWatch which meter this sensor is reading.
If your meter isn't listed, add it. Enter the meter number, a token you bought before (20 digits), tick the box to confirm you have the right to view the meter, and choose Add meter. You find the token on the receipt or SMS from a previous token purchase.
Wait for the meter to be verified. New meters are checked against the utility, which can take up to 24 hours. You can't link a sensor until verification is done.
When the meter is verified, open it. Under Live sensor, enter the sensor ID printed on your sensor.
Optional: enter your starting balance in kWh, which is the units showing on your meter now. This sets your calculated balance.
Choose Link sensor. The meter now shows your sensor ID and the date it was linked.
Photo 5: the Live sensor section with the sensor ID and Link sensor button
Enter the sensor ID under Live sensor, then choose Link sensor.
Live readings need a plan that includes a sensor. The Live and Intelligence plans read your sensor. If your meter is on Tokens, change plan on the Plans page.
Step 6 of 6
Confirm readings appear
This step also confirms that your sensor is connected to Wi-Fi. The app shows a reading only when the sensor has connected and sent it.
Open the Live view for the meter.
Wait up to 5 minutes after the main unit was powered for the first reading to appear.
Switch on a large appliance, such as a kettle or heater, for a minute or two.
Check that the current power rises while the appliance is on and drops when you switch it off.
Leave the sensor in place. It keeps sending readings automatically.
Photo 6: the Live view showing current power
The Live view showing your current power.
Still showing "No signal" after 5 minutes?
Check that your router, MiFi or hotspot is on and has internet. Open a website on your phone.
Move the router or MiFi closer to the meter.
Check that the main unit is powered.
Check that the sensor head is centred on the pulse light.
If it still doesn't work, contact us with your sensor ID.