The ZEN05 800LR Outdoor Plug isn’t just for switching things on and off—it’s also a powerful tool for monitoring how much energy your devices are using. It can send your Z-Wave hub live data on wattage, amperage, voltage, and total energy use (kWh), so you can keep tabs on exactly what’s happening.

Please note, power monitoring was added to the ZEN05 with hardware and firmware version 2.0. Hardware version 1.0 did not have power monitoring, so the below will only apply to 800 series units with hardware version 2.0 or higher.

 

The truth is, when it comes to power reporting, more updates don’t always mean better results. Z-Wave is a shared, low-bandwidth system, so every report your smart plug sends takes up room that other devices need for their own commands. If your ZEN05 is configured to report too frequently—especially if it’s sending updates on both a timed schedule and whenever usage changes—it can overwhelm the network. That extra chatter can lead to slower automations, delayed responses when turning devices on or off, and even cause some devices to appear “offline” unexpectedly.

In this guide, we’ll break down how the ZEN05 works in both Z-Wave mesh and Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR) modes, explain what bandwidth really means in a smart home setup, and show you how to adjust the plug’s settings so you get accurate, useful energy data without bogging down your network.

Mesh vs. Z-Wave Long Range: How Your ZEN05 Talks to the Hub

Before we get into the best settings, it helps to understand how the ZEN05 sends those power reports to your hub—because the way it communicates can have a big impact on how much network traffic you’re dealing with.

 

Z-Wave Mesh works a bit like a relay race. Messages hop from one device to another until they reach the hub. If your smart plug can’t talk to the hub directly, it uses other Z-Wave devices along the way. This helps extend range and cover tough spots in your home, but every hop adds a little delay. If you’ve got several devices sending lots of data, it can slow everyone down.

 

Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR) skips the handoffs and sends messages straight to the hub. The ZEN05 can connect directly from farther away, meaning fewer hops and less delay. ZWLR is especially useful if the plug is far from other Z-Wave devices or you want to reduce network chatter.

 

Why it matters: In mesh mode, all those ZEN05 power reports have to travel the same paths other devices are using. In ZWLR mode, the reports go directly to the hub, avoiding traffic jams and keeping the rest of your devices running smoothly.

Bandwidth Basics: Why Too Many Reports Can Slow Things Down

Think of your Z-Wave network as a one-lane road that every smart device has to use. Commands like turning on a light, locking a door, or sending a power report all travel down that same road. If one device is sending constant updates, it’s like having a slow-moving truck blocking the lane—everything else gets stuck behind it.

Z-Wave is efficient by design, but it’s still low-bandwidth, which means it can only handle so much at a time. If your ZEN05 is set to report power usage every few seconds—especially if it’s sending multiple report types (watts, volts, amps, and kWh)—the traffic can pile up quickly. When that happens, you might notice:

• Automations taking longer to run

• Devices responding slowly to on/off commands

• Sensors or switches randomly dropping offline

The good news is, you can manage how often your plug reports by adjusting its parameters. The trick is finding the right balance—enough updates to be useful without making your network feel like rush-hour traffic.

Setting Up Power Reporting for Optimal Performance

Your ZEN05 Outdoor Plug gives you two main ways to control how often it sends power updates to your hub:

1. Frequency-based reporting: Think of this as the “set it and forget it” method. You choose a specific time interval—every few seconds or minutes—and the plug will send an update no matter what. This is handy if you want a steady stream of data, like keeping a constant watch on a fridge, sump pump, or other critical appliance.

2. Threshold-based reporting: Instead of a timer, this method only sends updates when something changes by a set amount. For example, you might set it to report when wattage changes by 5–10%. This is perfect if you just want to know when a device starts or stops drawing a noticeable amount of power.

 

Tips for keeping your network happy:

• If you’re using frequency-based reporting, avoid going lower than 30–60 seconds between reports unless you truly need rapid updates.

• If you’re using threshold-based reporting, choose a change percentage that actually matters so you don’t get constant updates about tiny fluctuations.

• Running both methods at the same time can create extra network traffic—use both only if you have a specific reason.

• If you don’t need certain data types (like voltage or amps), turn those reports off. Fewer reports means less strain on your network.

Next, we’ll break down the exact ZEN05 parameter settings so you can fine-tune your plug for accurate, useful power data without overloading your Z-Wave network.

ZEN05 Power Reporting Parameters

The ZEN05 gives you a lot of control over how it reports power, so you can customize it for your exact needs. All of these settings are adjusted by changing the plug’s parameters (aka settings or preferences) through your hub. Below, we have the instructions linked for accessing these parameters on the most popular Z-Wave hubs:

 

How to Access the Advanced Settings for the ZEN05 on Home Assistant

How to Access the Advanced Settings for the ZEN05 on HomeSeer

How to Access the Advanced Settings for the ZEN05 on Hubitat

How to Access the Advanced Settings for the ZEN05 on SmartThings

How to Access the Advanced Settings for the ZEN05 on Z-Box

 

We've included the key parameters to focus on for power reporting. Start by deciding what data you really need. For most setups, wattage is the most useful number. Voltage and amperage are nice to have for diagnostics, but they don’t change often and can flood your network if reported too frequently. If you’re not actively monitoring them, disable those reports entirely.

Parameters for Watt Reporting

Wattage is your go-to for tracking when a device turns on, off, or changes activity. Use threshold reporting if you want updates only when usage changes noticeably—like spotting when a coffee maker finishes brewing. Go with frequency reporting if you need steady updates for logging or live dashboards. If you’re not monitoring energy use at all (and just using the plug for on/off control), disable wattage reporting to keep your network traffic low.

 

Parameter 9 - Watt Report Threshold: Choose how you want your Smart Plug to report power consumption to your hub. The number entered as value corresponds to the number of Watts the appliance needs to go over for the change to be reported. So if 5W are entered by default, the Smart Plug will report any change in power usage over 5W (whether it's at least 5W more or 5W less compared to the previous report).

Values: 0 – trigger disabled; 1 – 100 Default: 5.

 

Parameter 10 - Watt Report Frequency: Decide how often the plug will report Watt data to the hub (in minute intervals). The number entered as value corresponds to the number of minutes. So if 5 is entered by default, the Smart Plug will report power consumption (Wattage) every 5 minutes.

Values: 1 – 65535. Default: 5 minutes.

 

Parameter 13 - Disable Watt Reports: Disable or enable power wattage reports sent from the plug.

No power wattage reports from the device connected to the plug will be sent back to the hub if power wattage monitoring is disabled. Use this option to minimize the amount of reports you want the receive from the smart plug.

Values: 0 – Watt reports enabled; 1 – Watt reports disabled. Default: 0.

Parameters for Amp Reporting

Amperage shows how much electrical current a device is pulling, which is helpful for diagnosing performance issues or monitoring high-draw equipment. Use threshold reporting to get alerts only when the load changes by a meaningful amount. Frequency reporting is useful for detailed logging, but for most people, it’s better to disable it unless you have a specific use case.

 

Parameter 11 - Amp Report Threshold: Choose when the plug will report Amps to your hub. 

The number entered as value corresponds to the number of Amps the appliance needs to go over for the change to be reported. Value 1 equals 0.1 A and value 50 equals 5 A. So if value 1 is entered by default, the Smart Plug will report any change in electrical current over 0.1 Amps (whether it's at least 0.1 A more or 0.1 A less compared to the previous report).
Values: 0 – trigger disabled; 1 – 50 (1 = 0.1A and 50 = 5A). Default: 1 (0.1A).

 

Parameter 15 - Amp Report Frequency: Decide how often the plug will report Amp data to the hub (in minute intervals). The number entered as a value corresponds to the number of minutes. So if 60 is entered, the Plug will report electrical current values (Amperes) every 60 minutes.

Values: 1 – 65535 Minutes. Default: 60. 

 

Parameter 14 - Disable Amp Reports: Disable or enable electrical current reports sent from the plug.

Values: 0 – Amp reports enabled; 1 – Amp reports disabled. Default: 0.

Parameters for kWh Reporting

Kilowatt-hour readings track total energy consumed over time—perfect for monitoring monthly usage or comparing how much power different appliances use. Frequency reporting here isn’t very helpful since the total changes slowly. Threshold-based reporting (report after X kWh is used) or a long frequency interval (hours, not minutes) works best. If you’re not doing energy cost tracking, you can disable this to save bandwidth.

 

Parameter 12 - kWh Report Threshold: Choose when the plug will report kWh to your hub.

The number entered as value corresponds to the number of kWh the appliance needs to go over for the change to be reported. Value 1 equals 0.01 kWh and value 200 equals 2 kWh.
Values: 0 – trigger disabled; 1 – 200 (1 = 0.01 kWh and 200 = 2kWh) Default: 1 (0.01 kWh).

 

Parameter 17 - kWh Report Frequency: Decide how often the plug will report kWh data to the hub (in minute intervals). 

Values: 1 – 65535. Default: 60.

 

Parameter 18 - Disable kWh Reports: Disable or enable kWh reports sent from the plug.

Values: 0 – kWh reports enabled; 1 – kWh reports disabled. Default: 0.

Parameter for Volt Reporting

Voltage readings are mostly for troubleshooting power quality issues—like if you suspect your outlet is delivering unstable voltage. If you’re not diagnosing electrical issues, it’s safe to turn this off.

 

Parameter 16 - Volt Report Frequency: Decide how often the plug will report Volt data to the hub (in minute intervals).

Values: 0 – voltage reports disabled; 1 - 65535. Default: 60. 

 

Final Tips & Wrap-Up

Getting the power reporting just right on your ZEN05 is all about balance—you want enough data to be useful, but not so much that your Z-Wave network feels like it’s crawling through a traffic jam.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you fine-tune your settings:

• Start small, then expand – Begin with just the essential reports (wattage is usually the most valuable) and set a reasonable threshold or reporting interval. You can always add more detail later if needed.

• Test before committing – After you tweak a parameter, give it a few days. Check if automations are still snappy and if the data matches what you need.

• Watch your overall network traffic – Your ZEN05 isn’t the only device talking to the hub. If you’ve got other chatty devices like motion sensors or smart locks, make sure their combined activity isn’t clogging up your Z-Wave bandwidth.

• Consider Z-Wave Long Range mode – If the plug is far from other devices or your mesh is already busy, ZWLR can send reports straight to the hub and keep your other devices from getting slowed down.

Dial in that sweet spot, and your ZEN05 will give you the energy data you care about without creating delays—keeping your whole smart home quick and reliable.