Installation Instructions

Sense with Dedicated Circuit Monitoring

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What’s in the box?

Sense monitor

Main current sensors

Flex add-on sensors

Labeled with solar stickers on one side

Power cable

Antenna assembly

External mounting kit

Instructions

In addition to monitoring your entire home at the mains, Sense can also track up to two specific circuits. This setup is designed to monitor circuits with only a single device attached. If multiple devices are present on a circuit, they will appear as one device in the Sense app.

New users

Follow all steps, starting at step 1.

Existing Sense users

Follow all steps with a  success  icon, starting at step 1.

success  01 Turn off power

Open your electrical panel and turn off your main breaker. In addition, turn off the breakers to the circuits you intend to monitor with your Flex add-on sensors. This helps protect you during installation. Don’t forget your flashlight!

success  02 Remove panel cover

Remove the screws securing the panel cover to access the circuit breakers.

Warning: The service mains are always live!
success  03 Open middle port

Using a flathead screwdriver, pry open the cap on the middle port of the Sense monitor. This will be used to connect your sensors to your dedicated loads.

Upgrading current setup to monitor dedicated loads?

Ensure the power to Sense is off before prying open the middle port. Then skip to step 8 

Warning: Do not use screwdriver on live equipment
04 Find a spot for Sense

If your monitor is already installed, skip to step 8.

The Sense monitor is designed to fit within your main panel. Find an open spot that works for you.

Difficulty finding space?

Use the mounting bracket provided to install Sense at the top of your electrical panel or outside of the panel. See mounting bracket instructions here and then return to this guide.

Warning: The service mains are always live!
05 Install the antenna

Using the back of a screwdriver, punch out the knockout cover in the electrical panel. Then, insert the antenna.

If you’re installing Sense in a recessed electrical panel, use the top or bottom knockouts, depending on where your monitor is placed in the panel. In most cases, Wi-Fi signal quality should still be acceptable with the antenna located behind the wall.

06 Connect to monitor

Connect the power cable, antenna, and main sensors to the monitor. Please ensure that the sensors are inserted in the monitor’s outer port. 

Please check the label and ensure you are connecting the correct sensors. Do not use the sensors with a solar sticker for this step.

07 Clamp sensors around service mains

Clamp the sensors around the service mains so that both stickers are facing towards the power source.

As a safety precaution, first plug the sensors into the Sense monitor
Main sensors d2c
success  08 Connect Flex sensors to middle port

Insert the Flex add-on sensors into the middle port on the monitor. 

Please check the label and ensure you are connecting the correct sensors. Sensors with a solar sticker are used to monitor your dedicated loads.

For subpanel isntallations, follow local code and best practices for interconnecting multiple electrical panels.

success 09 Connect Flex sensors to dedicated circuits

Sense can monitor up to two dedicated devices on 120 or 240V circuits. Please follow the instructions below relevant to your installation. You’ll return to this page to finish installation.

10 Connect the monitor power cable in the main panel
Ensure that the breakers for your installed loads are turned off before proceeding.

If your monitor is already installed, skip to step 11.

Find the monitor power cable connected to the top port of the Sense monitor. Connect the black wire and the red wire to an empty 240V breaker and the white wire to the neutral bus bar. Sense draws less than 0.1A, so you should use the smallest 240V breaker available.

Don’t have an empty breaker?

Connect to an existing or add a new 240V breaker. Do not use a tandem breaker, unless it is 240V. Learn more

success 11 Close the panel cover

Before closing your electric panel, take photos of your installation, just in case you need to contact Support. 

Replace the panel cover carefully to ensure that there is no pressure on the sensor clamps that would cause them to open. Label the Sense breakers with the sticker.

Keep the breakers to your dedicated loads turned off. You will turn them back on during the in-app setup process.

success  12 Turn power on, wait for chime

Once the panel is closed, turn the main breaker back on. If your Sense breaker was turned off, turn it back on. 

Listen for one of the sounds listed below. It will take about a minute before hearing a sound. Visit help for sound samples and troubleshooting information.

success Success Chime: Installation looks good! Sense is ready for setup.

success Repeating Beep: There is an installation problem. Check cable connections.

success No Sound: The Sense monitor cannot start. Check power cable connections.

success  13 Use the app to complete setup

Install the Sense app. Version 33 or above is required to support Dedicated Circuit Monitoring. 

Tap “Get Started” and follow the on-screen instructions. The app will guide you through the Wi-Fi setup and account creation process.

Upgrading to monitor dedicated circuits? 

Go to Settings / My Home / Connected Devices and select “Dedicated Circuit Monitoring” within Sensor Sources.