User Manual

Welcome to Smart Power AMS ⚡

This manual explains the Smart Power Analyzer and Management System in simple steps. Read this before using the dashboard or turning on connected appliances.

What the System Does

Smart Power AMS monitors household power consumption using an ESP32 device, voltage sensor, current sensors, and relay-controlled outlets. The dashboard shows live readings such as voltage, current, power, energy consumption, and estimated cost.

The system has two controlled outlet groups:

Capacitive Load / Outlet 1 - the first outlet group monitored and controlled by the system.
Resistive Load / Outlet 2 - the second outlet group monitored and controlled by the system.

The labels capacitive and resistive refer to the assigned outlet channels of the prototype. Always plug appliances only within the safe rating of the device and relay module.

Navigation Preview

This is the bottom navigation shown in the mobile app. It gives quick access to the main sections: Home, Reports, Add, and Profile.

Getting the ESP32 Online 📶

The ESP32 must be connected to WiFi so it can upload readings and receive control commands from the dashboard.

If the ESP32 is already online, you can update WiFi from the dashboard.
If the ESP32 is offline and cannot connect to any saved WiFi, it should create a setup hotspot named SmartPower_Setup.
Connect your device to SmartPower_Setup, open the setup page or scan the QR code, then enter the WiFi name, WiFi password, and account/user ID.
After saving, the ESP32 will restart or reconnect, turn off setup mode, and connect to the new WiFi.

Once the ESP32 is connected to WiFi, the user can monitor and control the system remotely from any location as long as both the ESP32 and the phone have internet access.

The ESP32 works best with 2.4 GHz WiFi using WPA2-Personal. WPA3-only or captive-portal WiFi may not work properly.

Home Tab 🏠

The Home tab is the main dashboard. This is where you can see the device status, live electrical readings, monthly energy use, estimated cost, and load control switches.

Device Status

Shows whether the ESP32 is online or offline. If offline, the dashboard may show the last saved reading until the device reconnects.

Monthly Usage

Shows the accumulated kWh for the current month and compares it with your saved threshold.

Live Metrics

Shows voltage, current, power, today's energy usage, this month's energy usage, and estimated cost.

Load Control

Lets you turn the capacitive and resistive outlet groups ON or OFF, depending on automatic/manual mode.

Understanding Live Metrics 📊

The Live Metrics section displays the current electrical readings from the ESP32 sensors.

Measured Power - the total estimated power currently being consumed.
Voltage - the AC voltage measured by the voltage sensor.
Capacitive Current and Power - the current and power of the capacitive/Relay 1 outlet channel.
Resistive Current and Power - the current and power of the resistive/Relay 2 outlet channel.
Today's Usage - the estimated kWh used for the current day.
This Month - the accumulated kWh and estimated cost for the current month.

Readings may update every few seconds depending on WiFi signal. If the internet connection is weak, the dashboard may update slower, but the ESP32 can still perform local relay cut-off logic.

Setting the Monthly Threshold ➕

The Add tab is used to save your monthly energy limit or budget. The threshold tells the system when to send warnings and when to disconnect loads in automatic mode.

Monthly Budget lets you enter a target amount in pesos.
Monthly Threshold (kWh) lets you directly enter the energy limit.
The dashboard uses the rate per kWh to estimate the cost.

Do not set the threshold lower than your current monthly kWh unless you want the system to trigger cut-off immediately.

Automatic Control and Alert Levels 🔔

In Automatic Control, the system monitors how much of the monthly threshold has been used and responds in stages:

70% - early warning that the monthly limit is approaching.
80% - the higher-consuming load channel may be disconnected first.
90% - urgent warning that the usage is very close to the monthly limit.
100% - the remaining active loads may be disconnected to prevent going beyond the limit.

The 80% cut-off depends on which outlet group has the higher accumulated energy consumption. If the capacitive channel has higher consumption, Outlet 1 may be cut off. If the resistive channel has higher consumption, Outlet 2 may be cut off.

Manual Control 🕹️

Manual Control allows the user to control the outlet groups directly from the dashboard.

Use manual control when you want to turn an outlet group ON or OFF yourself.
Manual control can be used after a cut-off if the user needs to re-enable a load.
If you return to automatic control, the system will again follow the threshold rules.

Only turn loads back ON if it is safe to do so. The system may have disconnected the outlet because the threshold was reached.

Load Energy Comparison ⚖️

The Load Energy Comparison section compares the accumulated energy used by the capacitive and resistive outlet channels.

It compares accumulated kWh values.
The higher-consuming load may be prioritized for automatic cut-off at the 80% stage.

For example, if the resistive channel has used more total kWh than the capacitive channel, the system may identify the resistive channel as the higher energy consumer.

Reports Tab 📈

The Reports tab helps the user review energy history and understand usage behavior.

Usage History shows recent energy consumption trends.
Current Power shows the present electrical demand.
Monthly Consumption History shows monthly kWh, estimated cost, threshold, percent used, and status.

Check the Reports tab regularly to understand which period or appliance use increases energy consumption.

Profile Tab 👤

The Profile tab is used to manage account and app settings.

Manage Profile

Update user account information.

Security

Manage account protection settings.

Notifications

Choose which warnings and alerts should appear on the device.

Important Notes and Limitations ⚠️

The system estimates power using voltage, current, and fixed power factor values.
Resistive loads use a power factor of 1.00.
Capacitive loads use an assumed power factor of 0.70 because the prototype does not directly measure actual phase angle.
Very small appliances may not be detected because the system applies a current noise threshold to avoid false readings.
Low-wattage devices such as phone chargers, LED bulbs, and small fans on low setting may appear as 0 A or 0 W.
Dashboard updates require WiFi/internet. Local relay logic can still run on the ESP32, but online monitoring needs connection to the server.

Quick Start Guide 🙋

Power on the ESP32 device.
Make sure the ESP32 is online or connect it through the setup hotspot.
Log in to the dashboard or mobile app.
Go to Add and save your monthly threshold.
Go to Home to monitor live readings and monthly usage.
Use Automatic Control for threshold-based cut-off.
Use Manual Control only when you need to directly control the outlet groups.
Watch for 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% alert levels.
Check Reports for energy history and estimated costs.

Troubleshooting Guide 🔧

Dashboard says offline: Check if the ESP32 has WiFi and internet. If not, use setup hotspot mode.
Values update slowly: WiFi signal may be weak. Move the device closer to the router or hotspot.
Low-wattage appliance is not detected: The appliance may be below the current noise threshold.
Relay turned off automatically: Check if the monthly threshold reached 80% or 100%.
New WiFi does not work: Use 2.4 GHz WPA2 WiFi, not WPA3-only or captive-portal WiFi.