Can I use a power meter like this?

[BioHazard]

I'm installing a subpanel and it would be nice if attached to that subpanel I had a submeter. Since most electric co's are going to "smart" meters, older analog meters are cheap and abundant. I'd like to just install a regular meter before the new subpanel.

Problem: I have three phase power. (208Y) The new panel is only getting 2 phases. Will a normal single phase, 120/240 analog meter work with my 120/208v setup?

 

[mrb]

I dont think it will read correctly since they operate on 240v. Might want to look into an emon-dmon, theyre like $300 though.

I also dont think you can stick a normal electric meter before your subpanel. Arent most meter cans listed as "suitable only for use as service equipment"

 

[JBurgess]

The normal 120/240 meters are 4 jaw. The 120/208 meters are 5 jaw.

You need the 120/208 meter to read correctly.

 

[BioHazard]

I dont think it will read correctly since they operate on 240v. Might want to look into an emon-dmon, theyre like $300 though.

I also dont think you can stick a normal electric meter before your subpanel. Arent most meter cans listed as "suitable only for use as service equipment"

Damn...going for cheap here. I'm not sure how the meter sockets are "listed", but I don't necessarily care either. I was actually thinking about a meter/breaker box combo, but I haven't shopped around yet. There's a local demolition/recycle place I need to go dig through, they have TONS of cheap building materials, but you literally have to dig to find what you want...

The normal 120/240 meters are 4 jaw. The 120/208 meters are 5 jaw.

You need the 120/208 meter to read correctly.

Right...but a normal 3 phase meter is metering 3 hot lines. I only want to measure 2/3 of that.

I don't know, maybe I can find a cheap 3 phase analog meter...

 

[Torque1st]

The single phase meter may work for what you want to do. Find some EE and see if he can come up with a correction factor.

 

[JBurgess]

Right...but a normal 3 phase meter is metering 3 hot lines. I only want to measure 2/3 of that

The three phase meter takes a 7 jaw socket, the 120/208 "network" you want to meter takes a 5 jaw socket, line and load for the two phases plus a neutral connection is the 5th jaw.

I see used meters at one the local surplus stores (Phoenix) on a regular basis for about $100.

 

[Torque1st]

He is only using two "Hots" and a Neutral plus Ground on the sub panel.

 

[JBurgess]

He is only using two "Hots" and a Neutral plus Ground on the sub panel.

Like this as I understand

The meter requires a neutral connection that a 120/240 does not.

 

[Norcal]

Here is a meter online: http://www.hialeahmeter.com/s12sa1513.html

More info avail from the Hialeah meter site,as JBurgess has said, a standard 1Ø meter is not going to work on a 120/208 network.

 

[BioHazard]

Still not quite sure I understand. A normal 1 phase meter just measures two hots. 120 in/out times two. But they run on 240v? How does it measure if you're only using a 120v load? I thought they metered each line seperately.

I can get an old analog 4 jaw meter for about $20 and the socket for $15-30. I could probably find a cheaper 5 jaw meter, but the socket is going to be the *****...(no such thing as "cheap" 3 phase stuff!)

 

[BioHazard]

Actually I guess the 5 jaw socket isn't that bad...
http://store.hialeahmeter.com/4msb5t100r.html

 

[BioHazard]

Ok, nevermind what I said earlier.

Could I use two of these:
http://www.hialeahmeter.com/eawame.html
($17.50)

with two of these:
http://store.hialeahmeter.com/metersocketa.html
($10.50)

Having one on each 120v line? (obviously add them together)