# Power Outage Sensor **URL:** \ **Category:** Devices & Integrations\ **Created:** [January 8, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246 "2018-01-08T18:36:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![smarthomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@smarthomer](https://community.smartthings.com/u/smarthomer)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/1 "2018-01-08T18:36:15Z")
Has anyone used a Z-Wave Power Outage Sensor like this with SmartThings? > **[Amazon.com: Z-Wave Power Outage Sensor: Home Improvement](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IZ2JYQU)** > > This Power Outage Sensor will monitor any 100-240V AC outlet or any USB power source for On/Off status. Receive an alert message via your z-wave hub in the event of a power failure and \*when power is ... Seriously looks like a simple EcoLink style door or window open/close sensor that was hacked with an iPhone charger to acheive. Not looking for a ton of reporting, monitoring, or hooking up to the panel (like the Aeon stuff does). Plugging into an outlet or power strip would be more than ample for what I’m trying to monitor. Simple device that my wife could setup and get alerts when the outlet is not ON is all that is needed. (Basically setup directly in-app without coding, regardless of how easy it may be.) Was hoping to possibly acheive with a SmartThings Outlet (F-OUT-US-2) and the “Notify Me When” SmartApp/Automation. But simply triggering an alert when it is turned off via power (not button press) does NOT work since status does not relay an update unless power is active. ---
**Author:** ![Cobra](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/cobra/32/77318_2.png) [@Cobra](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Cobra)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2018, 6:48pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/2 "2018-01-08T18:48:00Z")
I made my own But… anything like this will only work if you still have power to the hub (ups) and an internet connection (router & firewalls also on ups) > [@Power Loss Alerts](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-loss-alerts/85430): > > At our home we often experience voltage fluctuation on our electricity supply with multiple surges. (Not just us – It happens to the whole of the street) The consequence of this is that the RCD on our main fuse board often ‘trips’ knocking all our sockets off (The RCD is unfortunately now a legal requirement in the UK) This tripping is not a problem when we are at home – a quick trip to the garage to reset the RCD doesn’t take long (although resetting all the digital clocks is a pain – I need to replace them with battery backup ones) All my computers, SmartThings, network routers/firewalls etc. are covered by about 6 hours of UPS backup so short term blackouts are not an issue and we often lose power completely for 2-3 hours at a time However; when we are not at home a tripped RCD cou… ---
**Author:** ![smarthomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@smarthomer](https://community.smartthings.com/u/smarthomer)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/3 "2018-01-08T18:52:27Z")
Yes - SmartThings hub, router, modem, etc. are all on a UPS battery backup already. Even if the UPS itself could send an alert that would work, but unaware of any that are Z-Wave compatible at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![smarthomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@smarthomer](https://community.smartthings.com/u/smarthomer)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/4 "2018-01-09T21:40:39Z")
anyone know where one of these can be purchased? not listed as in stock at any of the links I can find. ---
**Author:** ![CopyCat73](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/copycat73/32/74045_2.png) [@CopyCat73](https://community.smartthings.com/u/CopyCat73)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/5 "2018-01-09T23:49:56Z")
Nest protect smoke detectors (mains powered version) also notify about power outages in the app so I’d imagine the nest manager will pick it up as well. ---
**Author:** ![vseven](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/vseven/32/35333_2.png) [@vseven](https://community.smartthings.com/u/vseven)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 12:27am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/6 "2018-01-10T00:27:56Z")
I put a RIB on the incoming power and the output goes to a input on my Konnected panel. Since my stuff is UPS backed up I get a alert when there is no AC power. Works well, cost me $20 for the RIB and already had Konnected. Otherwise I’d use a RIB + EcoLink or RIB + ESP8266 (ST\_Anything). ---
**Author:** ![smarthomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@smarthomer](https://community.smartthings.com/u/smarthomer)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 1:30pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/7 "2018-01-10T13:30:58Z")
Thanks. This is probably a good solution for many, but would not be easy enough for my wife to setup on her own. ---
**Author:** ![smarthomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@smarthomer](https://community.smartthings.com/u/smarthomer)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/8 "2018-01-10T13:33:43Z")
Do you happen to know if the power notifications are only through Nest app or do they come through SmartThings as well? May pickup if it ever goes on sale. ---
**Author:** ![enis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/enis/32/64615_2.png) [@enis](https://community.smartthings.com/u/enis)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 1:39pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/9 "2018-01-10T13:39:30Z")
What about the ST hub itself it has battery backup, is there anything on it that reports when the power is out? maybe a DH or smart app can report that? But then you would need to keep ST hub not on UPS, may be add a bigger battery to it. ---
**Author:** ![smarthomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@smarthomer](https://community.smartthings.com/u/smarthomer)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 2:02pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/10 "2018-01-10T14:02:14Z")
Unfortunatley, none that I could find. The tradeoff of dropping UPS battery backup protection would probably not be worth it since all functionality of the hub basically seems to “stop” when running on the internal AA batteries. (May not actually stop, but was completely unreliable - which is what convinced me to use a UPS with the hub.) What I think I’ll need is a plug of some kind connected to a sensor with battery for this to function properly. If the Amazon link above was available for purchase, would give it a shot. ---
**Author:** ![CopyCat73](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/copycat73/32/74045_2.png) [@CopyCat73](https://community.smartthings.com/u/CopyCat73)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/11 "2018-01-10T15:24:16Z")
> [@smarthomer](#): > > Do you happen to know if the power notifications are only through Nest app or do they come through SmartThings as well? May pickup if it ever goes on sale. I havent had any outages since installing my hub, and a quick look at the nest manager source also doesn’t give me any clues. Maybe the author @tonesto7 could advise. ---
**Author:** ![enis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/enis/32/64615_2.png) [@enis](https://community.smartthings.com/u/enis)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/12 "2018-01-10T18:51:58Z")
actually any device that is hardwired going offline is an indicator that power is gone - and the realiabilty would be same any wireless thing you plug in. Another option could be some device driver pinging anything on your network that is always on, like a firestick, appletv etc. - take a look at this thread [Presence Sensor based on pings](https://community.smartthings.com/t/presence-sensor-based-on-pings/5644/9) ---
**Author:** ![smarthomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@smarthomer](https://community.smartthings.com/u/smarthomer)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/13 "2018-01-10T19:19:13Z")
That is what I originally thought, however in reality it did not work. I setup numerous smart outlet style devices to alert me if they were turned off. Power went off and NONE of them changed state to OFFLINE or sent notifications through they were OFFLINE. Waited over an hour for notification. Alerts only worked if the outlet was turned off (via direct button press, app on/off, remote, etc). Alerts did NOT work if power went off. Basically if I can set it up as an open/close sensor it should be very reliable. Finding an available sensor for this that just works out of the box is the immediate challenge. ---
**Author:** ![enis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/enis/32/64615_2.png) [@enis](https://community.smartthings.com/u/enis)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/14 "2018-01-10T20:25:03Z")
Did you see this thread ? > [@Cheap and easy Power Outage Notifications](https://community.smartthings.com/t/cheap-and-easy-power-outage-notifications/66643): > > Got the [1st Gen Aeon Labs whole house energy meter](http://www.zwaveproducts.com/shop/climate-control/z-wave-energy-management/z-wave-smart-energy-meter) for $9.99. It reports total kWh used (increments) as well as current Wattage being used (fluctuates). Using Core setup 2 Pistons: Using Capability: Power Meter (not Energy Meter) Drops below 25W send Power Outage alert Raises Above 25W send Power Back Up alert Or Without Core, use Energy Alert SmartApp: Go into Marketplace → SmartApps → Energy Management → Energy Alerts Setup an Power Outage Alert for when it Reports Below 25W and when it Reports Above 25W. This meter can run on batteries or AC power. It will report every 5 minutes on AC power and every 10 minutes on battery power. It will transition to battery power if it loses AC power. The caveat is that once it transitions from AC power to battery power, it won’t go back to… The device is pretty cheap - thin I will order one too. [https://www.amazon.com/Aeon-Labs-AEDSB09104ZWUS-Aeotec-Monitor/dp/B00DIBSKFU/ref=sr\_1\_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1515615765&sr=8-2&keywords=aeon+labs+home+energy+meter](https://www.amazon.com/Aeon-Labs-AEDSB09104ZWUS-Aeotec-Monitor/dp/B00DIBSKFU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1515615765&sr=8-2&keywords=aeon+labs+home+energy+meter) ---
**Author:** ![smarthomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@smarthomer](https://community.smartthings.com/u/smarthomer)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/15 "2018-01-10T20:51:04Z")
Yes, I’m aware of the Aeon Smart Energy Monitor and do not want any devices hooked up directly to my breaker box panel. It is considered a code violation in many areas. ---
**Author:** ![smarthomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@smarthomer](https://community.smartthings.com/u/smarthomer)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2018, 3:39pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/17 "2018-01-11T15:39:20Z")
Have a few of the Monoprice Z-Wave Plugs that you linked (and now removed). They were not functioning correctly for alerts if power was disconnected. There was no OFFLINE notification sent to the hub in XX number of minutes. Only was able to sucessfully get alerts for on/off when using the button on the device or via remote/app. Worth mentioning about those Monoprice Z-Wave Plugs - the energy reporting does NOT function on them. The wattage values are not reported via the SmartThings app correctly. Works great as an on/off switch and has a pass-through outlet on the other side. If you want energy reporting with wattage values, stick with the SmartThings Outlet (F-OUT-US-2) - works great for that purpose. (Too large to fit two of them into one single-gang outlet, however.) ---
**Author:** ![smarthomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@smarthomer](https://community.smartthings.com/u/smarthomer)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/18 "2018-01-17T17:39:44Z")
If anyone sees the seven7express Z-Wave Power Outage Sensor in stock anywhere, please share. Looks like it’s the cheapest and easiest solution for this need. ---
**Author:** ![SmartHomeGuy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/smarthomeguy/32/105153_2.png) [@SmartHomeGuy](https://community.smartthings.com/u/SmartHomeGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/19 "2019-05-15T21:34:25Z")
I haven’t found anything suitable so I’m working on mains powered electromagnet with a Multipurpose Sensor. When mains power fails the Multipurpose Senor will open and I will be notified via ST automation. ---
**Author:** ![dbowles1975](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/dbowles1975/32/94051_2.png) [@dbowles1975](https://community.smartthings.com/u/dbowles1975)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 7:25pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/20 "2019-06-03T19:25:18Z")
Make your own. All you need is a 5VDC relay ($5), power supply (you probably have one already) and a Monoprice sensor ($25). Power the relay via USB (red is +5VDC and black is ground). The output of the relay connects to the sensor’s external input. You could even throw it in a little work box for around $6. Obviously, your hub and router need to be on UPS for any of this to work. ---
**Author:** ![aruffell](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/aruffell/32/42775_2.png) [@aruffell](https://community.smartthings.com/u/aruffell)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2019, 3:05am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246/21 "2019-07-10T03:05:46Z")
This is my first attempt at making a power sensor… and it works as described above. ![20190427_085952](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/original/3X/4/4/4419cbce014155286a33178e843f81df8e2d8932.jpeg) The relay is a reed 5V relay connected to a plug in USB charger. The 5V from the charger keep the relay closed until there is a power outage. My entire system is under a UPS, and this sensor is battery powered. Excuse the crappy workmanship… I was testing the concept and when I make more I will find a cleaner way of doing this. [Next page](https://community.smartthings.com/t/power-outage-sensor/114246.md?page=2)