Power Indicator Light

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

I have my generator fully functional and will be utilizing a manual transfer switch.

My question is can I mount a small light on my meter panel to indicate when line power is restored?

I do own this panel it is a meter panel / transfer switch I installed for the generator hook up.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Looking at these components.

http://www.grainger.com/product/41D...XN&[email protected]&RIID=121962401

http://www.grainger.com/product/20C...XN&[email protected]&RIID=121962401

 

[ishiboo]

Not sure what you intend to do with the first component, you only need the second link (the lamp) and perhaps a fuse/fuse holder. I would go with a LED indicator, your issue is that you have no means of shutting off utility power to replace the bulb/etc.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

yeah I see what your saying.....

Any suggestions on how to install an indicator lamp?

 

[offroadsteve]

Has the transfer switch already been installed, or will be installed?

You'd already have the power off to do the transfer switch. Otherwise, you need a way to isolate line power to the transfer switch so you can wire up your indicator light. Main breaker upstream of transfer switch?

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

The meter panel is already installed, my electrician did a hot tap when he installed it and re-ran the power lines from the transformer.

 

[KiltLifter]

I know this isn't a lamp but this would do it:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reliance-Controls-PowerBack-Utility-Power-Return-Alert-THP108/202216506

 

[Mustang51js]

What's your set up, is it a whole house or partial, I've done the second link you have to one of my friends house,but it's not legal because there's no breaker on it, but the wire is small enough that if anything happened it would melt quick and break off.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

I have a whole house transfer switch built into the meter socket panel on the pole from the street.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

I like the Reliance PowerBack unit, but my connection would be above the meter on the pole outside.

Any experience in extending the leads on this unit? I will need to mount it inside out of the weather and run the leads through my conduit to the meter panel.

 

[rockwithjason]

Yes you can do that but you must protect the light with a fuse or breaker

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

So if I installed the following in the garage where my generator will be hooked up.

http://www.grainger.com/product/22N...XN&[email protected]&RIID=121962401
http://www.grainger.com/product/1CV...XN&[email protected]&RIID=121962401

Wiring through existing conduit out to the meter socket.

 

[Mustang51js]

It's kind of a gray area because it would be in the meter pan and your not suppose to run anything else in there. But since that one thing looks like it just detects current without being attached I don't think it will be a big issue.

 

[95blklsc]

I put one of these utility return alarms in since I can't see my neighbors from my house. Although it is looking like they are out of stock. The nice thing is I can be anywhere in the house and I should be able to hear this thing going off.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KREORA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Grainger may have it: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/RELIANCE-Generator-Alert-Monitor-13V403

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

The problem with the monitor is it's not rated for outdoors.
The only place I will have power to detect from the Utility is outside on the pole above the meter.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

I wonder if one could modify the alarm mentioned above to drive a light instead of the buzzer.

This I could mount on a 3R box outside on the pole with a simple LED indicator lamp and a weather tight switch.


This I may have to dig into further.

 

[Mustang51js]

Any reason why it won't fit on the line side of your transfer switch

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

My transfer switch and meter socket panel is one and the same.
I will have to get the unit and see how it installs before I can answer that.

Ordered one this afternoon, will provide a response once tested.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Received the PowerBack unit today,, I should be able to install the sensor wire on the feed below the meter where it feeds my manual disconnect.

Next to figure out what light and power I have to use.
Since the unit is designed to be installed indoors and is not weather rated I will have to install it inside the panel, and fire a light mounted in the panel side.

I should be able to steel power off the connection for the buzzer as it is quite loud and i don't think the small LED will draw enough to bother the circuit.

Got some testing to do.

 

[davidlee]

I know you said a light and I was thinking of the same thing a while back but our power company installed a new smart meter (digital) so when the power is out the meter is blank and when the power is restored the meter comes back to life. My problem was solved with no help from me.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

#0 years ago I made a suggestion to the power company that I worked 38 years for to have 2 green LED lights in the meter to indicate incoming power. They didn't like the idea.

 

[Westly]

You could just connect a bulb like one of these across the two legs that you want to monitor. The bulbs are about the size of a pinto bean and were the standard thing for doing this. No other components needed. They give a pinkish-orange color. Also, they last virtually forever and use negligible power.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NE-2-Neon-Glow-lamp-miniature-bulb-indicator-trigger-/110945541212

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

If it was me only, my options would be much easier and open.

But I need to have this all set up so my wife can easily switch it on.
I have an LED strip coming that will be mounted on the exterior of the box driven by the power monitor linked to above. I am leaving the buzzer installed also so I will have a visual (from house) and audible indicator outside.

The lite meter would be nice but in the sticks here I don't see those coming soon.

 

[The mean fish]

My meter can, generator transfer switch and outdoor primary panel is on a pole about 20' away from my house next to my water well house and generator pad. I installed 2 green 120V LEDs on the shore power input side of the transfer switch and 2 more yellow LEDs on the generator input side of the transfer switch each with their own small fuse inline. I mounted them in the side of my transfer switch housing in a place where I can see them from the house out the kitchen window. They look a lot like what you posted from Grainger back in post #1.

With a simple glance out the window I can see if I'm getting power on both hot legs from the transformer on the pole or I can see if I'm getting power from both hot legs of the generator.