Australia’s smart meter rollout is changing how households can see their electricity use. But the meter your energy retailer uses for billing and a home energy monitor serve different purposes. If you want to see what your air conditioner, hot water system or another circuit is using, the Shelly EM Gen3 may give you the extra detail you’re looking for.
Smart meter or home energy monitor?
Your retailer’s smart meter records electricity use for billing and can support plans such as time-of-use tariffs. Retailer apps may show when you use the most energy, but they generally do not tell you which individual circuit caused a spike.
The Shelly EM Gen3 is an independently installed monitor. It measures selected circuits using current transformers (CTs) and makes the readings available through its web interface, Shelly Smart Control or a compatible home automation system. It does not replace your retailer’s meter, change your tariff or determine your official bill.
The Australian smart meter rollout aims to equip homes and small businesses in the relevant eastern states and territories by 2030. If you are waiting for an upgrade, ask your electricity retailer about timing. You can still consider a separate energy monitor for your own home automation setup.
What does the Shelly EM Gen3 measure?
The Shelly EM Gen3 is a single-phase, two-channel energy monitor. Each channel uses a compatible CT to measure a selected conductor. This makes it useful for monitoring two circuits, such as a main supply and a dedicated appliance circuit, where the installation supports that layout.
It reports power and energy measurements and can store at least 10 days of readings at one-minute resolution on the device. It connects over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, supports local monitoring and offers MQTT, HTTP, WebSocket and RPC for integrations. Cloud access is available if you choose to use it.
The device also has a dry-contact output intended for applications such as contactor control. Its output is rated at a maximum of 2 A at 240 V AC. Do not use it as a direct switch for a large appliance. Ask your electrician to specify any suitable contactor and protection.
Which setup should you choose?
| Your goal | What to consider |
|---|---|
| See your official usage and compare electricity plans | Start with your retailer’s smart meter data and your current tariff. |
| Monitor one or two selected circuits on a single-phase installation | The Shelly EM Gen3 supports two CT measurement channels. Confirm the CT quantity and rating before ordering. |
| Monitor a three-phase supply | Choose a suitable three-phase meter. A single Shelly EM Gen3 does not measure all three phases. |
| Build local energy dashboards or automations | Discuss CT placement with your electrician, then connect the device to your preferred compatible system. |
What should you check before buying?
- Your electrical supply: Confirm whether it is single-phase or three-phase and identify the circuits you want to measure.
- CTs: Shelly lists a 50 A CT as included with the manufacturer’s package and an 80 A CT as compatible. Check the contents of the offer you are purchasing and have your installer confirm the correct rating and fit. Two measurement channels do not necessarily mean two CTs are supplied.
- Power and connectivity: The unit requires a 110–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz supply and suitable 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi coverage near its installation location.
- Installation space: The device measures 37 × 42 × 16 mm, but the enclosure, CTs, wiring and required protection must also fit safely.
- Billing expectations: Use its readings to understand trends and estimate costs. Your retailer’s meter and tariff remain the reference for your electricity bill.
Where can energy monitoring help?
If you have a time-of-use plan, you can compare a monitored circuit’s usage with your peak and off-peak periods. If you have solar, an installer can help select measurement points that answer your questions about generation or grid exchange. Monitoring can also show whether a large appliance runs longer or more often than expected.
The readings help you make informed decisions. Any savings depend on the changes you make and your actual electricity tariff.
Installation and final decision
The Shelly EM Gen3 connects to mains wiring and should be installed by a suitably licensed electrician in Australia. Tell your electrician which circuits you want to monitor, whether you have solar or three-phase power, and whether you want to control a contactor. They can then check the CT layout, electrical protection and suitability for your installation.
Choose the Shelly EM Gen3 if you want detailed, locally accessible monitoring for up to two channels on an appropriate single-phase setup. If you need full three-phase monitoring or more measurement channels, choose a meter designed for that purpose. Your retailer’s smart meter remains the meter used for billing either way.
Frequently asked questions
Will the Shelly EM Gen3 replace my electricity smart meter?
No. It is an additional monitor for your own insights and automations, not your retailer’s billing meter.
Does it work without a cloud account?
Shelly describes local Wi-Fi monitoring through its built-in web interface and local integrations. Remote access through Shelly’s cloud is optional and requires an internet connection.
Can it measure two circuits?
It supports two CT channels. Ask your electrician to confirm the conductor layout and ensure you have the correct number and rating of CTs.
Can it monitor my whole three-phase home?
A single Shelly EM Gen3 is a single-phase device. Ask about a dedicated three-phase monitoring option.