Schneider METSEPM5560 — PM5560 Power Meter Buying Guide

By Abdullah Zahid
14 min read
Schneider Electric METSEPM5560 PowerLogic PM5560 three-phase power meter 96x96mm panel mount with dual Ethernet ports

Schneider Electric METSEPM5560 PowerLogic PM5560 Power Meter — Three-Phase, 2 Ethernet Ports, 1.1MB Local Data Logging, 4DI/2DO, Up to 63rd Harmonic Analysis, 52 Alarms

When a controls engineer or facilities manager is tracking down nuisance breaker trips on a VFD-heavy production floor, or a building operator needs defensible tenant billing data from a multi-unit commercial property, the meter they specify carries real financial and operational consequences. The Schneider Electric METSEPM5560 — the catalog number for the PowerLogic PM5560 — is a compact 96x96mm panel-mount power meter that delivers three-phase energy measurement, harmonic analysis to the 63rd order, dual Ethernet daisy-chaining, 4 digital inputs, 2 digital outputs, and 1.1MB of non-volatile local data logging in a single panel footprint. This review is written for buyers who have already narrowed their selection to this model and need to confirm technical fit, understand lead time realities, and place an order with confidence.

If you have already confirmed this is the right part, check current pricing and availability for the METSEPM5560 at LeadTime.ca — ships worldwide.

Who Should Buy the METSEPM5560 — and Who Shouldn't

The METSEPM5560 is the right choice for engineers and procurement teams whose application genuinely demands network-connected three-phase power quality visibility with harmonic depth. It fits your project if all of the following apply:

  • Your supply is three-phase 100-480 VAC or 125-250 VDC and you can confirm that voltage range before ordering
  • You are using Class 0.5 or better current transformers with a 5-10 A secondary output — undersized or oversized CTs will degrade measurement accuracy
  • Your SCADA or gateway communicates via Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet IP, or Modbus RTU/ASCII — all supported natively without adapters
  • Your panel has a 96x96mm cutout with at least 2mm clearance on all sides for the meter body
  • You require 4 digital inputs and 2 digital outputs for demand response signaling, breaker status capture, or relay-based load shedding
  • Your procurement schedule can accommodate a 10-12 week lead time — this meter is not appropriate for sub-8-week project deadlines without confirmed in-stock sourcing

If your application is single-phase only, the PM5560 is oversized for the task. If you need harmonic analysis beyond the 63rd order — for semiconductor fabs or precision clean-power environments — the PowerLogic PM5200 with 127th harmonic depth is the correct choice. If your project requires only basic energy metering with no power quality analysis, a simpler and lower-cost meter will serve the application without the PM5560 feature premium.

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What the METSEPM5560 Does in a Real System

The METSEPM5560 functions as an inline measurement node that sits between the current transformers on each phase conductor and the facility's supervisory or energy management system. It is not a circuit protection device and does not interrupt power flow — it reads voltage directly from the distribution panel bus and reads current through the CT secondaries, then computes the full suite of three-phase power parameters: real power in kW, reactive power in kVAR, apparent power in kVA, power factor, neutral current, frequency, and harmonic content up to the 63rd order including Total Harmonic Distortion and Total Demand Distortion.

What separates this meter from basic energy-only devices is the combination of local intelligence and network connectivity. The 1.1MB non-volatile memory stores historical trending and alarm events independently of any network connection, so data is preserved through SCADA outages or network reconfiguration. The 52 configurable alarm thresholds monitor voltage, current, power factor, harmonic THD, and digital input state changes, triggering the two relay outputs for automated load control or alerting without requiring a PLC intermediary. The graphical backlit LCD gives local operators immediate visibility without laptop access. All of this is accessible remotely via dual Ethernet ports supporting Modbus TCP/IP and BACnet IP simultaneously, or via serial connection using Modbus RTU or ASCII for legacy infrastructure.

For multi-tenant billing applications specifically, the configurable multi-tariff structure allows time-of-use rate tiers — on-peak, off-peak, and seasonal — to be programmed per meter, enabling independent billing for each tenant unit from the meter's own stored data rather than relying on utility billing approximations.

Typical System Architecture for the PM5560

The METSEPM5560 sits at the measurement layer between the distribution panel and the supervisory network, connecting field-level current transformers to facility-wide energy management or SCADA infrastructure. A typical deployment looks like this:

  • Three-phase distribution panel or MCC feeds L1, L2, L3, and Neutral voltage directly to meter voltage input terminals
  • Class 0.5 current transformers (5 A secondary) on each phase conductor feed CT secondary cables to Ia+/Ia–, Ib+/Ib–, Ic+/Ic– meter terminals; neutral CT connected to In+/In– if neutral current measurement is required
  • METSEPM5560 connects via first Ethernet port (RJ45) to the next meter in the daisy chain or to the facility network switch
  • Second Ethernet port (RJ45) continues the daisy chain to additional PM5560 units or terminates at network switch
  • Ethernet network connects to Modbus TCP/IP gateway or BACnet IP building automation controller feeding centralized SCADA or energy management system
  • Digital inputs receive external status signals (generator run, demand response command, breaker trip); digital outputs drive load contactors or alert relays when alarm thresholds are breached

Where Engineers Deploy the METSEPM5560

Manufacturing plants running variable frequency drives are among the most common deployment environments. VFDs are nonlinear loads that inject harmonic currents into the distribution system — the 5th, 7th, 11th harmonics are typical, but higher-order content compounds as drive count increases. Without harmonic measurement capability, plant electricians chase nuisance breaker trips and premature motor failures without a clear data trail. The METSEPM5560 deployed upstream and downstream of a VFD bank gives the harmonic spectrum data needed to determine whether an input reactor, detuning filter, or active power conditioner is justified — before purchasing mitigation equipment based on guesswork.

Commercial office buildings with multiple tenants present a different but equally compelling use case. A single PM5560 per tenant unit, networked via Ethernet daisy chain to a building automation system, provides independently auditable monthly consumption data with configurable tariff tiers. When a tenant disputes a bill, the meter's stored historical log is the audit trail — not a utility estimate or a shared panel reading.

Data centers use the METSEPM5560 for per-PDU branch monitoring, where daisy-chained meters feed per-branch power quality data to a centralized Modbus TCP/IP gateway. The 52 alarm thresholds trigger alerts on voltage or harmonic excursions before downstream server equipment is affected — harmonic distortion from IT power supplies is a well-documented data center problem that the PM5560's 63rd harmonic depth can identify at the branch level.

Predictive maintenance programs also rely on this meter's continuous trend data. Power factor decline over time is a recognized indicator of stator insulation breakdown in motors; increasing harmonic content in a motor's current signature can indicate bearing wear or mechanical imbalance. With 1.1MB of local trending storage, the PM5560 captures these gradual shifts without requiring continuous SCADA polling.

Application Typical Deployment
Manufacturing — VFD harmonic investigation PM5560 upstream and downstream of VFD bank; harmonic spectrum analysis to 63rd order identifies distortion source
Multi-tenant commercial sub-billing One PM5560 per tenant unit; Ethernet daisy chain to BMS; independent tariff configuration per meter
Data center PDU branch monitoring 3-5 meters daisy-chained via Ethernet to central Modbus TCP/IP gateway; per-branch alerts on harmonic and voltage violations
Demand charge management Real-time kW/kVAR/kVA trending feeds automated demand response via digital outputs; relay triggers load shedding at threshold
Critical facility power quality assurance Hospital or emergency services panel; 52 configurable alarms; neutral current monitoring for ground fault detection
Predictive maintenance — rotating equipment Continuous power factor and harmonic trending on HVAC compressors and pump motors; local log survives network downtime

Key Specifications and Variant Comparison

Parameter METSEPM5560 Specification
Supply Voltage 100-480 VAC three-phase / 125-250 VDC
CT Secondary Input Range 5-10 A
Harmonic Analysis Depth Up to 63rd harmonic (THD and TDD)
Local Data Logging Memory 1.1MB non-volatile
Configurable Alarms 52
Digital I/O 4 digital inputs / 2 digital outputs
Ethernet Ports 2 x RJ45 (daisy-chain capable)
Communication Protocols Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet IP, Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII
Panel Cutout 96x96mm (2mm clearance required on all sides)
Compliance IEC 61010-1, CULus

Full technical specifications are available on the product page at LeadTime.ca.

Model Harmonic Depth Ethernet Ports Digital I/O Best For
METSEPM5560 Up to 63rd 2 x RJ45 4DI / 2DO Manufacturing, commercial sub-metering, data centers
PowerLogic PM5200 Up to 127th Varies by config Varies Semiconductor fabs, precision clean-power environments requiring ultra-deep harmonic analysis
PowerLogic PM5100 Basic Single or none Reduced Single-phase or basic three-phase monitoring where harmonic analysis is not required

If your application requires harmonic analysis beyond the 63rd order or your load is single-phase only, confirm which model fits before ordering — check current METSEPM5560 availability at LeadTime.ca or contact the team to discuss the right variant for your system.

Expert Verdict: Is the METSEPM5560 Worth the Investment?

The METSEPM5560 earns its place in the PowerLogic PM5000 series for buyers whose application genuinely exercises its feature set. Facilities engineers managing energy costs across multi-tenant commercial properties, controls integrators deploying networked sub-metering across manufacturing plants, and plant electricians chasing VFD-induced power quality problems will find that the combination of 63rd harmonic analysis, dual Ethernet daisy-chaining, 52 alarm thresholds, and 1.1MB of local logging resolves the core problem: visibility that survives network outages, communicates over existing Modbus TCP/IP or BACnet infrastructure, and provides the harmonic depth needed to make a defensible diagnosis rather than an educated guess. The direct neutral current measurement — not a calculated value from three-phase — adds genuine value for ground fault detection that basic meters omit.

Where this meter has real limits is equally worth stating clearly. If your harmonic requirements go beyond the 63rd order — semiconductor fabrication, precision laboratory power, or ultra-sensitive medical equipment — the PowerLogic PM5200 with 127th harmonic analysis is the correct choice, accepting the typically higher price premium. If your load is single-phase, the PM5560 is a needless overspecification in both cost and complexity. And if your project needs only straightforward energy metering for a single circuit without power quality analysis, simpler meters at lower cost will close out the scope without leaving features unused and budget wasted. Be honest with your application requirements before committing to the PM5560's price point.

From a procurement standpoint, the 10-12 week lead time is the single most important operational reality for project schedulers. Engineers who treat this meter like an off-the-shelf commodity and initiate procurement late have delayed commissioning schedules. Order through an authorized distributor to protect warranty and avoid counterfeit supply risk — and initiate the PO as early in the project timeline as possible. Confirm that your panel cutout is exactly 96x96mm with 2mm clearance before the meter arrives on site, and budget a 1.5-2 A MCB upstream of the meter power supply, which is not included. Check current METSEPM5560 pricing and lead time at LeadTime.ca — we ship worldwide and can confirm stock status before you commit to a build schedule.

For volume pricing or to confirm lead time before committing to a build, contact the LeadTime.ca team directly — we ship worldwide.

What Engineers Need to Know Before Ordering the METSEPM5560

The METSEPM5560 sits in a niche where the buyers who specify it are typically experienced — controls integrators, facilities engineers, and energy managers who understand three-phase power and SCADA integration. Community discussion volume on this specific catalog number is limited compared to more commodity-level devices, which makes the ordering mistakes that do occur more consequential: they tend to be discovered at commissioning rather than caught upstream. At LeadTime.ca, we see a consistent pattern of specification errors on this model that are entirely preventable with a pre-order checklist review.

The most common issue is CT secondary mismatch. The PM5560 accepts a 5-10 A CT secondary input. Buyers sourcing CTs independently sometimes select a ratio appropriate for the load but fail to verify that the secondary output at typical operating current stays within this range. A 200:5 CT on a 20 A load will run the meter near its lower accuracy threshold; at load spikes the secondary current can approach or exceed the meter's input rating. The accuracy class also matters: Class 0.5 is required for billing applications; Class 1.0 is acceptable for monitoring only. Specifying the wrong accuracy class on a tenant billing meter creates disputes that the meter's own data cannot resolve cleanly.

Protocol compatibility is the second recurring issue. The PM5560 supports Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet IP, Modbus RTU, and Modbus ASCII — a genuinely flexible set of options. But buyers who assume the meter will auto-configure to match their SCADA protocol sometimes arrive at commissioning to find that the meter needs to be configured for the correct protocol before it will communicate. Confirming the protocol with the SCADA or gateway vendor before ordering — not after — prevents this delay. When you are specifying a meter with a 10-12 week lead time, a protocol mismatch discovered at commissioning is an expensive schedule problem. If you have any doubt about protocol compatibility or CT sizing for your specific installation, contact LeadTime.ca before placing the order — this is exactly the type of pre-purchase technical question we handle routinely.

Wiring and Installation Overview

The following is a high-level installation overview. Engineers requiring complete wiring diagrams and commissioning procedures should refer to the Schneider Electric PM5560 installation guide available from the manufacturer. Key points to verify before and during installation:

  • Connect three-phase voltage inputs L1, L2, L3, and Neutral directly to the meter's voltage terminals; confirm supply voltage is within the 100-480 VAC or 125-250 VDC rated range before energizing
  • Route CT secondary cables (Ia+/Ia–, Ib+/Ib–, Ic+/Ic–, and In+/In– for neutral) in separate conduit from power cables to minimize EMI pickup; use shielded twisted-pair in high-EMI manufacturing environments and maintain at least 300mm separation from power conductors
  • Verify CT polarity markings (P1/P2, S1/S2 or dot notation) match the meter's terminal polarity before tightening; reversed CT polarity produces negative kW readings and inverted harmonic analysis — confirm with a clamp meter on the secondary before energizing
  • Connect Ethernet via CAT5e or CAT6 cable (maximum 100m per IEEE 802.3 segment) to the first RJ45 port; use the second RJ45 port to continue the daisy chain to the next meter or terminate at the network switch
  • Install a dedicated 1.5-2 A MCB upstream of the meter power supply — this external circuit breaker is not supplied with the meter and is required for fault isolation; tighten all terminal screws to the manufacturer's specified torque range to prevent vibration loosening

Wrong-Part Prevention Checklist

Before submitting your purchase order for the METSEPM5560, verify every item on this checklist. These are the specific mismatches that create commissioning failures, warranty disputes, and schedule delays on this model:

  1. Confirm supply voltage: is it 100-480 VAC three-phase OR 125-250 VDC? Configuration differs at order; specify clearly.
  2. Verify CT secondary rating: PM5560 input is 5-10 A; using a 200:5 CT on a 20 A load will saturate the meter and destroy accuracy.
  3. Confirm Ethernet compatibility: does your SCADA expect Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet IP, or serial Modbus RTU? PM5560 supports all; confirm protocol before purchase.
  4. Check panel cutout: 96x96mm space required with 2mm clearance on all sides; measure existing panel geometry before ordering.
  5. Validate digital I/O count: confirm you need 4DI/2DO for relay triggering or alarm input capture; if not, consider cheaper models without these terminals.
  6. Plan for 10-12 week lead time: order through authorized distributor (KB Automation, Farnell, Newark, RSP Supply) to avoid counterfeit supply and secure warranty.
  7. Budget external circuit breaker protection: 1.5-2 A MCB required upstream of meter power supply; not included with meter.

If any item on this checklist raises a question you cannot answer confidently from your existing project documentation, contact LeadTime.ca before ordering — confirming these details takes minutes; fixing a wrong-part order on a 10-12 week lead time item takes months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the METSEPM5560 communicate over Modbus TCP/IP and BACnet IP simultaneously, or does the buyer need to choose one protocol?

The PM5560 supports Modbus TCP/IP and BACnet IP as well as Modbus RTU and Modbus ASCII over its communication interfaces. Confirm your specific protocol configuration requirements with Schneider Electric's technical documentation for the PM5560, as simultaneous multi-protocol operation details should be verified against the current firmware revision for your application.

What happens to logged data if the facility network goes down — does the METSEPM5560 lose historical records?

The meter stores up to 1.1MB of data in non-volatile memory, which means logged trends and alarm events are retained independently of network connectivity. Data stored locally survives network outages and can be accessed via the meter's web browser interface or serial connection even when the Ethernet connection to SCADA is unavailable.

Is the METSEPM5560 a direct panel swap for an older analog meter in a 96x96mm cutout?

The meter requires a 96x96mm panel cutout with 2mm clearance on all sides. If an existing analog meter occupies a matching cutout, the physical fit is consistent, but the CT secondary wiring, voltage connections, and Ethernet cabling must be verified against the PM5560's terminal configuration. Do not assume that legacy CT secondary wiring polarity matches the PM5560's terminal labeling without cross-referencing both the old meter and new meter installation documents.

How many METSEPM5560 units can be daisy-chained over Ethernet before network latency becomes a problem?

The dual Ethernet daisy-chain topology allows multiple meters to be networked through a single network connection point. Industry practice for this meter family recommends limiting daisy chains to 5-8 meters per segment to avoid network latency that could affect real-time data polling. Larger installations should use additional network switches or separate network segments.

Does the METSEPM5560 measure neutral current directly, or is it calculated from the three-phase measurements?

The PM5560 includes a direct neutral current measurement input (In+/In–) that connects to a dedicated neutral CT — this is a measured value, not a calculated approximation from the three phases. Direct neutral measurement improves ground fault detection accuracy and phase imbalance diagnosis compared to meters that only calculate neutral current as a residual value.

What CT accuracy class is required for tenant billing versus monitoring-only applications?

Class 0.5 current transformers are required for billing-grade accuracy. Class 1.0 is acceptable for monitoring-only applications where the data is used for energy visibility rather than financial allocation. Using a Class 1.0 CT on a tenant billing installation creates accuracy risk that becomes a dispute liability — specify Class 0.5 when consumption data drives invoices.

Why Order From LeadTime.ca

  • Global shipping on industrial automation components — no geographic restrictions on sourcing
  • Authorized distributor sourcing path for warranty protection and counterfeit avoidance on long-lead items like the METSEPM5560
  • Pre-order technical support for CT sizing, protocol confirmation, and panel compatibility questions before the PO is submitted
  • Volume pricing available for multi-meter deployments — contact for current pricing on quantities
  • Lead time confirmation before order commitment — critical for 10-12 week procurement items on live project schedules

At-a-Glance Summary

  • Catalog number METSEPM5560 is the PowerLogic PM5560 — a three-phase 96x96mm panel-mount power meter from Schneider Electric
  • Harmonic analysis to the 63rd order with THD and TDD measurement — suited for VFD-heavy manufacturing and data center IT load assessment
  • Dual RJ45 Ethernet ports support daisy-chain topology; communicates via Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet IP, Modbus RTU, and Modbus ASCII
  • 1.1MB non-volatile local data logging stores trending and alarm data through network outages
  • 52 configurable alarm thresholds; 4 digital inputs and 2 digital outputs for demand response and relay-based load control
  • Direct neutral current measurement (not calculated) for improved ground fault and phase imbalance detection
  • CT secondary input range: 5-10 A; Class 0.5 CTs required for billing-grade accuracy
  • Panel cutout: 96x96mm with 2mm clearance on all sides; 1.5-2 A MCB required upstream (not included)
  • Typical lead time: 10-12 weeks for new orders — initiate procurement early on project-critical timelines
  • IEC 61010-1 and CULus compliant

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