NETIO PowerCable Modbus 101x is a smart WiFi power socket by NETIO products. The output smart power outlet can be turned on/off over a web interface. The web interface also shows measured electrical values (V, A, kWh, W, Hz, TruePF). PowerCable Modbus 101x supports the industry-standard Modbus/TCP protocol and Telnet protocol for M2M communication. This protocol makes it possible to measure energy consumption and control the output from PLCs, SCADA systems, smart home applications, and so on. With the NETIO Cloud service, the outputs can be controlled from anywhere. The NETIO Cloud service, provided for a fee, uses SSL security and servers in Europe.
PowerCable can be used for metering or on/off switching of computer power supplies up to the electrical socket rating (10/16A according to version).
As a unique feature, the metered power socket supports ZCS (Zero Current Switching). This makes it possible to connect capacitive loads (switching power supplies) or inductive loads (transformers, motors) to the PowerCable.
The output can be switched on with a delay, in order to avoid circuit breaker tripping when power is restored after an outage. The metered power outlet can be switched on/off at any time with the button on the device (press 3 times).
PowerCable Modbus connects to the network using WiFi (internal antenna). The initial WiFi connection is very simple: PowerCable works as a WiFi AP, searches for available WiFi networks and asks the user to select from them.
The web interface is used to configure the product and switch the output on or off. Measurements of immediate current [A], voltage [V], energy consumed [Wh / kWh], grid frequency [Hz], input power [W] and TPF (True Power Factor) are also displayed in the web interface and can be read over the Modbus/TCP and Telnet M2M protocol.
The manufacturer, NETIO products, offers NETIO PowerCable Modbus 101x in four versions with different electrical outlet and power plug types used in different markets:
PowerCable Modbus 101F DE socket (Type F - Schuko) is used in most of the continental Europe and can be used in Russia.
PowerCable Modbus 101E FR socket (Type E) with an earth pin is needed in France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.
PowerCable Modbus 101J CH socket and plug (Type J) for Switzerland.
PowerCable Modbus 101S Universal version usable world-wide with IEC-320 C14 (input) and C13 (output) for 110/230V 50/60Hz.
PowerCable Modbus 101G UK socket and plug (Type G) for Great Britain.
WIFI RECONNECT
The WiFi Reconnect function of the PowerCable Modbus 101x smart electrical outlet ensures a stable LAN connection even with an unstable WiFi AP, a necessity to switch over from one WiFi AP to another due to fluctuating signal, and so on.
MODBUS/TCP AND TELNET API
The PowerCable Modbus 101x smart power extension cable is designed for semi-industrial applications, where the Modbus/TCP protocol is the de-facto M2M standard. Modbus/TCP is supported by a majority of PLC, RTU, HMI, robots or smart home / smart building applications.
The metered power socket can be controlled over Modbus/TCP as a “coil” or with commands such as “Short ON”, “Short OFF”, “Toggle”. All measured values can be read over Modbus/TCP.
To ensure a basic level of security, the built-in IP FILTER can be used to limit the range of IP addresses allowed to access the device over Modbus/TCP.
NETIO M2M Modbus/TCP documentation is available upon request.
The NETIO implementation of Modbus/TCP can be tested as described in AN27 (Modbus/TCP with NETIO 4x - Control and measure LAN power sockets).
The Modbus/TCP is identical for both PowerCable Modbus 101x and NETIO 4x products. So, the same configuration file or plugin can be used.
