How to Use PZEM-016: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The PZEM-016 is a multifunctional energy meter designed for monitoring and measuring key electrical parameters in AC circuits. Manufactured by PZEM, this device provides accurate readings of voltage, current, power, energy, and frequency. It is equipped with a digital display for real-time monitoring and supports UART communication for data logging and remote monitoring applications.

• Industrial Automation: Monitoring power consumption in industrial equipment.
• Home Energy Management: Tracking household energy usage for efficiency.
• Renewable Energy Systems: Measuring output from solar inverters or wind turbines.
• Data Logging: Collecting electrical data for analysis and reporting.
• Remote Monitoring: Integrating with microcontrollers or IoT systems for remote energy monitoring.

The following table outlines the key technical specifications of the PZEM-016:

The PZEM-016 has a simple pinout for both power and communication. The table below describes the pin configuration:

1. Connect the Voltage Input:
   • Connect the V+ pin to the live wire of the AC circuit.
   • Connect the V- pin to the neutral wire of the AC circuit.
2. Connect the Current Transformer (CT):
   • Attach the CT to the live wire of the AC circuit.
   • Connect the CT's output wires to the I+ and I- pins of the PZEM-016.
3. Power the Module:
   • Provide a 5V DC power supply to the 5V and GND pins.
4. Connect to a Microcontroller (Optional):
   • Use the TX and RX pins to connect the PZEM-016 to a microcontroller (e.g., Arduino UNO) for UART communication.

• Safety First: Always ensure the circuit is powered off before making connections to avoid electric shock.
• Current Transformer Placement: Ensure the CT is clamped around the live wire only, not both live and neutral wires.
• UART Communication: Use a logic level converter if your microcontroller operates at 3.3V logic levels.
• Power Supply: Use a stable 5V DC power source to avoid communication errors or inaccurate readings.
• Calibration: The PZEM-016 is pre-calibrated, but you can recalibrate it if necessary using the manufacturer's instructions.

Below is an example Arduino sketch to read data from the PZEM-016 using UART communication:

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

// Define RX and TX pins for SoftwareSerial
SoftwareSerial pzemSerial(10, 11); // RX = pin 10, TX = pin 11

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600); // Initialize Serial Monitor
  pzemSerial.begin(9600); // Initialize UART communication with PZEM-016

  Serial.println("PZEM-016 Energy Meter Example");
}

void loop() {
  // Request data from PZEM-016
  byte request[] = {0x01, 0x04, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x0A, 0x70, 0x0D};
  pzemSerial.write(request, sizeof(request));

  delay(100); // Wait for response

  // Read response from PZEM-016
  if (pzemSerial.available()) {
    Serial.print("Data received: ");
    while (pzemSerial.available()) {
      byte data = pzemSerial.read();
      Serial.print(data, HEX);
      Serial.print(" ");
    }
    Serial.println();
  }

  delay(1000); // Wait 1 second before next request
}

Note: The above code sends a Modbus RTU request to the PZEM-016 and prints the raw response. You will need to parse the response to extract voltage, current, power, etc., based on the Modbus protocol.

1. No Data Received via UART:

   • Ensure the TX and RX pins are correctly connected (crossed: TX to RX, RX to TX).
   • Verify the baud rate is set to 9600 in your code.
   • Check the power supply to the PZEM-016.

2. Inaccurate Readings:

   • Ensure the current transformer is properly clamped around the live wire.
   • Verify that the voltage input connections (V+ and V-) are secure.

3. Communication Errors:

   • Use shorter UART cables to reduce noise.
   • Ensure a common ground between the PZEM-016 and the microcontroller.

4. Module Not Powering On:

   • Check the 5V power supply for proper voltage and current output.
   • Inspect the wiring for loose or incorrect connections.

Q: Can the PZEM-016 measure DC circuits?
A: No, the PZEM-016 is designed specifically for AC circuits and cannot measure DC parameters.

Q: Can I use the PZEM-016 with a Raspberry Pi?
A: Yes, but you will need a USB-to-UART adapter or GPIO UART pins and a logic level converter if the Raspberry Pi operates at 3.3V logic.

Q: How do I reset the energy counter?
A: The energy counter can be reset via a specific Modbus command. Refer to the manufacturer's Modbus protocol documentation for details.

Q: Is the PZEM-016 waterproof?
A: No, the PZEM-016 is not waterproof and should be used in a dry environment.