Modules that are unavailable when the firmware is updated, are deleted from the network and cannot be used until you have executed the following steps.

If something went wrong whilst updating the firmware of the Circle+, you can restart the Update Wizard via Source by clicking the ‘Updates’ button. The updating process will resume after the verification steps.

Step 1: Delete the network settings

If you reset the Circle+, you also need to reset all other Circles. If you need to reset multiple Circles at the same time, it is best to plug them all into a big power strip and execute the procedure for all Circles simultaneously.

Procedure for firmware release 2008-08-26:

Unplug the Circle from the power socket, plug it in again and count the number of seconds until it switches on (you can hear a click from the relay). Deduct 6 seconds. The result is the reset interval. If the result is less than 4, use 4 seconds for the reset interval.

Example: if 16 seconds pass between the moment you plug the module into the power socket and the moment the appliance switches on, the reset interval is 16 – 6 = 10 seconds.

• Unplug the Circle for 3 seconds.

• Plug the module into the wall socket again during the reset interval.

• Repeat the above two steps two more times.

• Plugging the Circle into the wall socket again.

Procedure for firmware release 2009-09-08:

Remove the Circle and plug it back into the socket and repeat this another two times.

If the Circle is succesfully reset, it will take 3 seconds or longer before the relais switches (with a soft clicking sound). If the Circle is assigned to a network, it will switch on immediately. Since the Circle+ is the network coordinator, it will belong to a network after it has been plugged in the first time. Hence its relais will immediately switch after being plugged in another time, so the check only works the first time after a reset.

Step 2: Adding modules to the network

After deleting the network settings from the modules, they can be added to the network using the Configuration Wizard.

• Start the Configuration Wizard via Windows ‘Start’, Plugwise Source.

• Click ‘Next’ in each window until all steps have been completed.

• Enter the codes of Circles not on the list in ‘Circles’.

• Click ‘Next’ when all modules have the online status. The modules are online when the question mark icons are replaced for a light bulb icon.

You do not have to enter appliance settings for modules to which an appliance was assigned earlier.

Step 3: Updating firmware

Because part of the network has already been updated, Source will not automatically detect an update for the newly added modules.

• Start the Update Wizard via Windows ‘Start’, Plugwise Source.

• In Source, click the ‘Updates’ button (at the bottom of the screen). See page # for a comprehensive description of the steps. The difference with the first firmware updating process is that this time, there are modules whose firmware has already been updated. These modules do not have to be online if the firmware on the Stick and Circle+ has already been updated.

If by the end of the update process something goes wrong, you can restart the Update Wizard via Windows menu Start – Plugwise Source – Update Wizard. You will have to go through the control phases again. Partially executed updates will be completed.

Please select what seems to be the problem:

The update process was interrupted

One of the Circles did not received the update

The Stick has not received the update

The update process can be continued by restarting the Update Wizard via Windows menu Start – Plugwise Source. You will have to go through the control phases again. Partially executed updates will be completed.

Analyses of large quantities of usage data are interesting because Plugwise can use them to determine what the normal usage is for a specific type of appliance, for instance. We want to start using this type of data to offer more specific saving recommendations in the near future.
The usage data can also inspire us to develop new products and features in the software. This helps us prepare for Smart Grid technology, making consumers less dependent on central power generation and allowing them to supply power themselves, by means of solar cells for instance. This results in ‘smart’ management of the power grid, eventually aiming to achieve more sustainable energy and a better environment.
Plugwise receives the power usage data from the appliances connected to the Plugwise products. The appliance type and associated usage are transmitted. As such the data are totally anonymous; the user’s address or name cannot be traced (unless the user permits it). All anonymised technical data is collected on a server hosted by a professional and independent third party that has no access to the data. The data is protected by means of the most advanced technology.

You can save up to 40% on power. For a typical system, you will earn a return on investment within a maximum of 3 years.

We are currently working on developing a module suitable for measuring three-phase power consumers.

A Stealth module can be installed per phase and for the neutral wire. Your electrician would have to install 3 Stealths to measure the phases independently of each other.

In this way you can gain insight into the power usage of your three-phase power consumers.

The computer does not have to stay on for the Plugwise system to operate. The modules have their own memory. The measurement data are saved and the modules switch appliances on and off in accordance with the schedules you have entered, even when the computer is switched off. After the computer is switched on with Stick, the data stored in the modules is retrieved for display in the usage reports.

The clock of the Plugwise system is synchronised with the clock in your computer each time Source is started. When daylight saving kicks in, the new time is also set automatically.

You must leave the Stick in your computer for the communication between the Plugwise software and the Plugwise products. You can unplug the Stick without any risk, but the communication link between the plugs and the computer will be disconnected. In that case, you cannot view the current usage or retrieve new measurement data. Disconnecting the plug has no consequences for the operation of the network or any data entered in the software earlier, such as switching schedules. As soon as you plug the Stick back into the computer, the computer retrieves the measurement data stored in the plugs. Any newly created schedules will be activated.

The system may not recognise the Stick anymore if you plug the Stick into a different USB port than that used when Source was installed. In that case, exit Source and plug the Stick into the original USB port.

Yes, all modules are synchronised with the built-in clock of the Circle+, which in turn is synchronised with the computer.

You don't have to. The clock in the Circle+ is synchronised automatically with the time on the PC, each time Source is started. The internal clocks of the other Circles are synchronised automatically with the Circle+.

The standby killer allows you to have an appliance switched off automatically as soon as it switches to sleep mode. If you activate the standby killer, you enter a threshold value below which the plug should shut down. The plug switches off the appliance as soon as the power usage drops below the specified threshold value.

The standby killer is activated with a switching schedule, which can also be used to specify when the appliance can be switched on again.

You can also manually activate a plug that was switched off (by the standby killer or schedule) by switching directly with Source. As an emergency solution, you can also unplug the Circle from the power outlet and plug it in again.

In an average single-family dwelling, a complete Plugwise Home Basic system uses less than 10 W. That’s less than an energy-saving light bulb! However, the saving by far exceeds its usage.

All Plugwise products have been tested extensively and comply with all European safety requirements. A Kema Keur certificate was issued for the Plugwise Circle on 5 June 2009. You can therefore trust in the safe operation of the system.

Yes, this is possible. When measuring, the Plugwise modules do not distinguish between output and usage but the software is able to indicate this difference (per appliance).

The Stick is the link between the Plugwise software, the installed plugs, and other Plugwise products. It receives data from and transmits commands to the installed plugs. This is done via a wireless MESH network. You can easily connect the Stick to the USB port on your computer.

The total installation time depends on the number of Circles you are using. It generally takes about 5 minutes per Circle.

You probably have entered an incorrect code. Check that numbers and letters have been entered accurately. Check your Internet connection and firewall as well. The software needs to be able to connect to the Internet.

There is a shortcut in the Windows ‘Start’ menu in the folder ‘Plugwise Source’.

Execute the steps below to generate a report of your usage data:

• In Source, click ‘Reports' at the top of the screen.

• In the tree to the left of the screen click the appliance, room or group for which you want to generate a report. Click the plus symbol next to Rooms, Groups or Appliances to unfold the tree.

• Next to ‘Show’, at the bottom right of the screen, select whether you want to display the data in kWh, cost or C02 emission.

• Under ‘Per’, choose whether you want to see a report per day, week, month or year.

• In ‘From’ and ‘To’, enter the period you want the report to cover.

• When you change one of the settings above, a new report is displayed.

If an appliance was connected to a Circle a short time ago (e.g. when you have just installed the system), it may take several hours for the first usage data report to be generated.

If an appliance has been connected to a Circle for several hours and the Circle has a good connection with the network, the system may fail to display a full graph of usage data in a few cases. This is a software problem encountered in a previous version of Source. Download the latest version to solve this problem.

The clock of the Plugwise system is synchronised with the clock in your computer each time Source is started. When daylight saving kicks in, the new time is also set automatically.

You don't have to. The clock in the Circle+ is synchronised automatically with the time on the PC, each time Source is started. The internal clocks of the other Circles are synchronised automatically with the Circle+.

The clock of the Plugwise system is synchronised with the clock in your computer each time Source is started. If the switching schedules do not run on time, check whether your clock in Windows is displaying the correct time.
When daylight savings time kicks in, the new time is set automatically when Source is started.