Frequently Asked Questions

A meter socket adapter (MSA), also called a meter collar, is a device that is installed between an electric meter socket and a utility billing meter. MSAs offer safe, NEC compliant means for interconnecting DERs such as solar, batteries, EV chargers, heat pumps, etc to the home’s electrical network. They can also provide energy data acquisition and transfer, load management, and whole home isolation from the grid. Collectively, they are the fastest and most effective way to safely interconnect the growing list of residential distributed energy resources (DERs).

Our base IslandDER™ model with analog communication is compatible with battery systems from FranklinWH, Lunar Energy, EcoFlow, and Fox ESS. It includes a hard-wired analog communication cable that comes pre-attached to the connection module of the meter socket adapter. This cable plugs into the battery system's "meter socket adapter controller" component (exact component name varies by company).

Our SolarEdge Nexis IslandDER™ was engineered end-to-end for exclusive integration with the new SolarEdge Nexis battery storage system. It does not include a hard-wired, pre-attached analog communication cable. Instead, it uses a digital communication protocol and has an ethernet port on the meter socket adapter base. A standard ethernet cable connects from the IslandDER™ to the Nexis battery (specifically, the inverter module). The ethernet cable is not included with the SolarEdge Nexis IslandDER™. With this setup, there is no "meter socket adapter controller" required—making for a tidy, clean install with even fewer components on the wall.

The main difference is that our Solar MSA Data Out model has built-in Current Transformers (CTs) and a CT output port/cable. It is only compatible with SolarEdge inverters. The added CT benefit means less work for installers, who otherwise would have to manually place CTs separately, which can lead to errors like reverse polarity and additional service truck rolls.

EV MSA supports up to 125A, single phase electrical services. It is compatible with ring type or ringless meter sockets and both ANSI Form 2S (120/240V) and 12S (120/208V) electronic (i.e. AMI) and older style electromechanical meters.

The EV MSA combines multiple critical functionalities into one universally compatible device that makes it easier for electricians, and more affordable for homeowners, to hardwire an EV charger into the home, specifically for homes with 100A or 125A service. Components like a built-in circuit breaker, smart load sensing, automatic disconnect, and consumption monitoring minimize the amount of work an electrician must do, and in turn minimize the cost to homeowners. By taking the installation away from the main panel and to the existing utility meter on the exterior of your house, the EV MSA provides a plug-and-play connection point for the EV charger without an expensive main panel replacement or service upgrade. It also keeps the install outside your home, by avoiding the need to cut through drywall or ceiling to get to your main panel (more surprise costs!)