Tesla Remote Energy & CT's

Overview: Tesla Remote Energy Meter

Tesla Remote Energy Meter will add the ability of Powerwall 3 to measure non-backup loads and AC coupled solar. On Gateway 2 systems, the Tesla Remote Meter can be used in place of Neurio, and there are future plans for Tesla Remote Meter to be used with Solar-only products as well.

The Tesla Remote Meter will replace the Neurio Remote Meter for Tesla's residential products, starting with Powerwall systems first, before continuing to other products.

We will explore the compatible configurations of the Tesla Remote Meter with Powerwall systems in this training, as well as proper installation protocol.

Tesla Remote Energy Meter Kit

Included in the kit:

Tesla Remote Energy Meter
(2) Tesla 200 A CTs
Voltage Harness (North America)
External Antenna
(2) Fasteners

Additional Accessories:

RS-485 Communications Harness
3.5 m CT Extension

Tesla Remote Energy Meter LED

Tesla Remote Energy Meter has an LED which blinks green to indicate: Powered and Operational

Tesla Remote Energy Meter Connection Options

Tesla Remote Energy Meter is connected to the system Site Controller wirelessly (any Site Controller) or via an RS-485 wiring harness (Powerwall 3 or Backup Gateway 2 only).

Tesla Remote Energy Meter CT Terminals

Tesla Remote Energy Meter has (3) functional CT terminals and CT4 will be enabled in the future.

Metering Overview

An energy meter measures voltage (by voltage tap) and current (by Current Transformer) at key locations in the system.

Current Transformers (CTs) are installed around conductors to monitor the current flowing through them. The CTs are connected to the Tesla Remote Energy Meter which sends the measurements to the system's Site Controller. Using this current measurement, the system calculates power measurements to determine how much power the customer is using, or how much power the PV system is producing.

Where to place the CTs

Max distances

Pre Check: Always check before that the distances aren't exceeding the max allowable distances.

Installation:

Connecting the Voltage Line Harness

To connect the voltage line harness, attach the leads to a dedicated two-pole circuit breaker (maximum 20 A) as follows:

Black Wire: Connect to L1
Red Wire: Connect to L2
Blue Wire: If using the CT 3 port, splice with the red L2 wire as shown above; otherwise, cap the blue wire
White Wire: Connect to the Neutral busbar

Note: If a dedicated circuit breaker is unavailable, you may splice the voltage line harness into existing breakers.

Proper Phase Connection for the Remote Energy Meter

For the Remote Energy Meter to operate correctly, the voltage line harness leads must be connected to the appropriate breaker phases. Common causes of miswiring include:

- Certain breaker types cross phases, positioning breakers on opposite phases from the supply lugs.

- In some regions, the standard wire color scheme (L1 = black, L2 = red) may not be followed, leading to incorrect phase identification based on wire color alone.

Finalize Meter Installation

Plug the voltage line harness into the meter.

Install the CTs

Plug the CT into the CT port on the meter.

Install the CTs for Site Metering

For installing Site CTs:

Plug the CT measuring L1 into the CT1 Port.
Plug the CT measuring L2 into either the CT2 or CT3 port.

Install the CTs for Solar Metering

For installing a Solar CT:

IF the CT is measuring L1, plug it into the CT1 port.
IF the CT is measuring L2, plug it into either the CT2 or CT3 port.

NOTE: Only (1) CT is needed to measure Solar because the total power output is calculated by the software.

Ensure CT Orientation is Correct

Pinch the CT to open it, then close the CT around the conductor(s) being measured.

NOTE: Ensure the CT is installed so that the side with white text on the CT housing pointing toward the power source (service entrance / grid for Site CTs, solar inverter for Solar CTs). Always verify CTs are in the correct orientation by observing power flow in Tesla One.

Summary

Ensure CTs are closed completely. Be extra vigilant when installing a CT around multiple conductors or large guage wire. If the CT is not CLOSED, it will not measure properly.

POWERWALL 3 REMOTE ENERGY METER INSTALLATION

Powerwall 3:

For Powerwall 3 installations, wire the Tesla Remote Energy Meter to the Powerwall 3 Tesla Asset Controller (TACO) via RS-485:

Plug the 2-conductor RS-485 harness into the port on the top of the meter
Connect the harness leads to the TACO by inserting them in the corresponding Remote Energy Meter connector

NOTE: If required, extend the RS-485 harness up to 164 ft (50 m) using 24-16 AWG (0.2-1.5 mm2) shielded twisted pair with drain wire.

NOTE: Meter configuration, including meter detection via RS-485 will be performed during Device Setup in the Tesla One app.

GATEWAY REMOTE ENERGY METER INSTALLATION

Gateway 2:

For Powerwall+ or Powerwall 2 installations, connect the Tesla Remote Energy Meter to the Backup Gateway 2 Site Controller via RS-485:

Plug the 2-conductor RS-485 harness into the port on the top of the meter
Connect the harness leads to the Backup Gateway 2 by inserting them in the corresponding Comms connector

NOTE: Ports 5 and 6 can be used instead of 2 and 3, but only (1) meter can be connected to Backup Gateway 2.

Connecting Tesla Remote Energy Meter

Connection Option 1: Wi-Fi

Connect Tesla Remote Energy Meter via Wi-Fi:

Install the external antenna on the end of the Remote Energy Meter. If installing the Remote Energy Meter in a metal enclosure:

Drill a ¼-inch hole in the bottom of the enclosure.
Using the provided antenna extender, route the antenna through the bottom of the enclosure as shown below

Option 2: Route the external antenna through the bottom of the enclosure (WiFi)

Troubleshooting Tips

Note: Meter configuration, including pairing the meter via Wi-Fi will be performed during Device Setup in Tesla One.

TROUBLESHOOTING

The Tesla Remote Energy Meter Antenna Connector/Receiver Port (left), is NOT compatible with Neurio W2 Meter Antenna Connector/Receiver Port (right) and vice versa.

Troubleshooting - Unable to Read Data

Issue: Remote Meter is "Unable to Read Data"

The meter may be performing a firmware update. Wait 5 minutes before proceeding.
Confirm the RS-485 wiring polarity is correct at the Powerwall 3 TACO
Confirm there is continuity between each leg (positive and negative) of the RS-485 wires
On the landing page, Stop System then Start System again.
Try power cycling the meter (turn the meter breaker OFF then back ON).

Meter Troubleshooting

Identifying Breaker Phase

When connecting the Tesla Remote Energy Meter voltage line harness to a breaker, it is critical that the leads be connected to the correct phase. If unsure of the electrical panel phasing, perform a continuity test:

1. Turn the site power OFF

2. Turn the multimeter to the Continuity Test mode

3. With system power still OFF, close the panel main breaker (if present)

4. Where the meter breaker will be installed, place one test probe on the top slot of the breaker

5. Place the other test probe on the conductor that will be measured by CT1

6. If there is continuity, the multimeter will make an audible sound (chime, beep, etc.) 7. If the multimeter does not make a sound, place the first test probe on the other breaker slot and confirm it makes a sound, indicating this is L1.

Troubleshooting Remote Energy Meters

Run all CT tests with at least 1 kW of power flowing

For each site CT, follow steps to ensure it is in the correct location and orientation:

Compare the CT current readings in the Device Setup with a digital clamp-on amp meter

Ensure the power flow value displayed for each site CT currently indicates import or export •

Negative power flow may indicate one of the following:

Voltage reference and current reference are not the same phase of the service (e.g. CT is measuring L1 but is plugged in to a CT port with voltage reference of L2

CT is installed on the wrong phase

Physically move the CT to the correct phase with the label facing the correct direction

CT is flipped

If the “toward source” CT label is correctly facing the utility meter, but power flow is negative, a voltage-current mismatch is likely

CT Troubleshooting

Negative Site Reading

An alert will appear on the landing page, if the site value is negative.

Confirm the CTs are facing the correct way:
- Locate the CT(s) used to measure the source that is displaying incorrect power flow readings.
- Verify the CT(s) are oriented such that the label is facing toward the source (away from the breaker).
- Solar Current Transformer: Label toward the Inverter
- Site Current Transformer: Label toward the Grid
Verify the CT is measuring the correct phase

Incorrect CT Location

If a site has multiple inverter outputs and their conductors are being grouped, ensure every conductor is captured.

Verify the CT is clamped properly around the intended conductor(s)
Verify the CT is not capturing any other conductor(s)

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