⚡ Digital electricity meters in Spain – Endesa and smart meters
Digital electricity meters from Endesa
The classic electricity meter has largely been replaced in Spain by digital meters (Contadores Digitales). These meters not only record electricity consumption, but can also provide important technical information about the connection.
As a fully qualified German Master Electrician, I can use the data captured by the meter to better assess, for example, a system’s consumption, power, and peak loads.
What can a digital electricity meter do?
More than just displaying electricity consumption
A modern digital electricity meter captures significantly more information than the old electromechanical meters.
Depending on the meter type and the available data interface, information may be available on, among other things:
- Energy consumption
- Current or registered power
- Power peaks
- Time periods of consumption
- Tariff periods
- Any interruptions or events
This data can help provide a better understanding of a property’s actual energy needs.
The ICP is now integrated into the digital meter
What happens if the contracted power is exceeded?
With modern digital electricity meters, the ICP (Interruptor de Control de Potencia) is generally already integrated into the meter. A separate ICP in the fuse box is therefore usually no longer required.
The meter monitors the power actually drawn. If the contractually agreed power (Potencia Contratada) is exceeded for a certain period of time, the meter can switch off the power supply.
This means: a power cut doesn’t necessarily indicate a fault in the electrical installation. It can simply be the result of too many high-power appliances being used at the same time.
How is the power supply switched back on?
After such a shutdown, the supply can be restored in many installations by first switching the main switch of the sub-distribution board off and then back on.
This resets the connection to the digital meter and allows the power supply to be released again.
Important: if the shutdown happens repeatedly, it shouldn’t simply be switched back on again and again. Instead, it should be checked why the contracted power is being exceeded, and whether the Potencia Contratada, the way the installation is used, or the electrical installation itself needs to be adjusted.
Identifying power peaks
How much power does your property actually need?
When assessing an electrical installation, it’s not just annual consumption that matters.
It can also be crucial when and how much power is needed at the same time.
For example, the following can cause temporarily high power demand:
- Air conditioning
- Electric water heaters
- Pool technology
- Ovens
- Heat pumps
- Wallboxes
- Solar (PV) systems
- Battery storage
Analyzing existing meter data can therefore help assess whether the contractually agreed power (Potencia Contratada) matches the property’s actual use.
What is “Potencia Contratada”?
Contracted power is not the same as electricity consumption
In Spain, the Potencia Contratada plays an important role.
Put simply, it describes the electrical power contractually provided for the connection.
That’s something different from the total energy consumed, which is expressed, for example, in kWh.
Especially for larger properties, or when additionally installing a wallbox, solar panels, air conditioning, or electric water heaters, it can make sense to look at actual usage before changing the contracted power.
Digital meter and capacity increase
Do you really need more connection power?
A capacity increase shouldn’t be carried out purely on the principle of “more is better.”
For example, if a property has so far been operated with a certain power level and several large appliances are regularly switched on at the same time, the meter data can give an indication of how high the actual power peaks really are.
This can be a valuable basis for assessing a planned capacity increase (Aumento de potencia).
However, a planned change may also involve additional technical and documentation requirements, such as a new Boletín Eléctrico / CI, or, depending on the case, a CAI.
Can the digital meter be read out?
Which data is actually available depends on the meter and connection
Digital meters can capture significantly more data than what is directly shown on the display.
Some of this information may be available through the systems of the energy supplier or grid operator. Depending on the meter and infrastructure, there may also be options for technical analysis.
A distinction must be made between:
- meter data,
- data held by the energy supplier,
- and information that can be read directly from the meter.
Not every piece of information is available in the same way on every meter.
What does this mean for an electrical check?
The meter can provide additional information about usage
When technically assessing a property, existing consumption and power data can be an interesting addition to the actual inspection of the electrical installation.
For example, they can provide indications of:
- unusually high power peaks
- high simultaneous loads
- actual usage patterns
- possible over- or under-sizing of the contracted power
- the impact of new appliances
However, meter data does not replace a technical inspection of the electrical installation. It can, though, be a useful complement to one.
What the digital meter cannot do
A digital meter is no substitute for an electrical inspection
A meter can record consumption and electrical power. However, it cannot determine, for example, whether:
- cables have been installed correctly
- protective conductors are correctly connected
- the residual-current protection is working
- the earthing installation is adequate
- sockets or distribution boards have been properly installed
- an installation meets the requirements of the REBT
A technical inspection of the electrical installation is required for that.
Frequently asked questions
What is a digital electricity meter? A digital electricity meter records electrical energy consumption electronically and, depending on the device and available infrastructure, can capture additional readings and events.
Can the meter measure my power? Yes. Digital meters can record electrical power. For a technical assessment, it’s particularly interesting to see what power peaks actually occur.
Can I read my Endesa meter myself? Which data you can access yourself depends on the meter, the grid operator, and the available online services or interfaces.
Can the digital meter determine whether my electrical installation is safe? No. The meter measures electrical quantities but does not carry out a complete inspection of the electrical installation.
🔎 Related topics on digital electricity meters
→ How does the Potencia Contratada work? → When is a capacity increase necessary? → What is a Boletín Eléctrico / CI / CAI? → Electrical check before buying a property
Want to know how your property is actually being used electrically?
Correctly assessing consumption and power
Especially for larger properties, planned capacity increases, wallboxes, or solar (PV) systems, existing meter data can provide interesting insights.
I can help you look at meter data, actual usage, and the technical condition of the electrical installation together.
Personal consulting available in German, English, or Spanish.