Power Indicator Light

[HookWorse]

A question for the electrical experts out there. I live in a rural area where the power goes out more than I'd like. I have a back up generator for such occasions.
I would like to put a indicator light on my outside electric panel that is on whenever the power is on. When it goes out and I have my generator running, I never know when they turn it back on. I always have to go out and look at my digital meter to see if its on. I'd much rather be able to look out the window and see the light, then know I can go shut down the generator.
So, if I could find an indicator light I could install through the outside of the panel housing, that would be able to be seen from 100 feet, would be weatherproof, and last a long time, thats my goal. Possibly an LED with a pigtail would work.
Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

 

[ishiboo]

A question for the electrical experts out there. I live in a rural area where the power goes out more than I'd like. I have a back up generator for such occasions.
I would like to put a indicator light on my outside electric panel that is on whenever the power is on. When it goes out and I have my generator running, I never know when they turn it back on. I always have to go out and look at my digital meter to see if its on. I'd much rather be able to look out the window and see the light, then know I can go shut down the generator.
So, if I could find an indicator light I could install through the outside of the panel housing, that would be able to be seen from 100 feet, would be weatherproof, and last a long time, thats my goal. Possibly an LED with a pigtail would work.
Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

I'd check eBay, or Digikey for a waterproof panel indicator (120v). You could go with a 3 cent LED and a resistor, but if I were you I'd go with something completely waterproofed "just in case."

 

[pcmeiners]

Second Ebay idea, but add, you need to have an LED indicator which monitors both power power feeds (to neutral), basically two separate LEDs indicators to monitor both legs.
Just checked Ebay, found little, but Google search LED panel indicator waterproof 120 pulls up many, watch the color/brightness as daylight make visibility an issue.

 

[mrb]

ive got a bunch of these 120v LED weatherproof panelmount indicators, theyre bright but direct sunlight is a challenge for any led indicator.

the next question is where do you plan on connecting it? (and it needs suitable protection, you cant just connect an indicator light to the feeder suplying the panel....)

 

[HookWorse]

So...if the light is rated at 120V, what is the problem with connecting it to a feeder line? One side, of course.
Enlighten me.

 

[ishiboo]

So...if the light is rated at 120V, what is the problem with connecting it to a feeder line? One side, of course.
Enlighten me.

It needs to be protected by a fuse.

 

[HookWorse]

Ok, that's easy enough. Anything else I need to consider?

I could put a indicator on each leg, but my experience is, you either have power (both legs) or you don't. A light on one leg will tell me if it's on or not.

 

[mrb]

cant just use a glass fuse or something, whatever you use has to have an interupt rating equal to or greater than the available fault current (just match whatever the main breaker is, either 10ka or 22ka)

how do you currently have your panel and transfer switch set up?

 

[mrb]

So...if the light is rated at 120V, what is the problem with connecting it to a feeder line?

the fireball that would ensue if the light failed.

 

[HookWorse]

I have a manual transfer switch after my main 200A breaker on the pole. Which is why I'd like to know when the power comes back on. Feed to the house comes out of the transfer switch, no separate circuits out there. I am just careful to only run necessities when the gen is running.

How much are you asking for the indicators?

 

[mrb]

couple bucks ea. whats your zip code ill figure the total and pm you tomorrow. somewhere between $5 and $10 shipped for two. they go in a 22mm hole. i have to see how many of each color i have.

 

[pcmeiners]

"I could put a indicator on each leg, but my experience is, you either have power (both legs) or you don't."
In a power emergency situation, around my area, they will first get one of the legs going, then when time permits the get the other leg hot, noticed this during the last two outages here, during the last outage it was 24 hours, after the first leg came on, before they reinstated the second leg.

 

[mrb]

thats wierd and not normal. Everyone's 240v appliances are going to backfeed the dead phase. i doubt it was on purpose. most likely the primary to your transformer was out, and so was one phase of its secondary (or maybe the fuse on the primary blew from the secondary fault) they fixed the primary and either didnt notice the second problem or had to send another crew to fix it.

 

[bczygan]

"I could put a indicator on each leg, but my experience is, you either have power (both legs) or you don't."
In a power emergency situation, around my area, they will first get one of the legs going, then when time permits the get the other leg hot, noticed this during the last two outages here, during the last outage it was 24 hours, after the first leg came on, before they reinstated the second leg.

X2 (Here in Detroit)

 

[Joe92GT]

thats wierd and not normal. Everyone's 240v appliances are going to backfeed the dead phase. i doubt it was on purpose. most likely the primary to your transformer was out, and so was one phase of its secondary (or maybe the fuse on the primary blew from the secondary fault) they fixed the primary and either didnt notice the second problem or had to send another crew to fix it.

MRB is absolutely right. You are connected to a transformer on the pole that is 240v center tapped. The only way you'd ever have one leg on only is if there is a problem after that transformer. That would only effect you, and any neighbors tied to the same transformer. Otherwise power on is power on.

I'd put it on one leg, and when you turn the house on you will know right away if the other one is off, however slim the chance is.

 

[pcmeiners]

MRB is right, in the situations here, this happened within commercial buildings, not residential feeds.

 

[ddawg16]

This is a few more bucks....but....instead of just an idiot light....you can see the actual voltage....there are actually pretty cheap.....and you can see them in bright sunlight.

You can get them in both 120 and 240 Vac versions

http://www.simpsonelectric.com/main/index.asp?p=Products&id=18&sid=22

 

[Joe92GT]

This is a few more bucks....but....instead of just an idiot light....you can see the actual voltage....there are actually pretty cheap.....and you can see them in bright sunlight.

You can get them in both 120 and 240 Vac versions

http://www.simpsonelectric.com/main/index.asp?p=Products&id=18&sid=22

The problem with a volt meter is sealing it to the elements. We move thousands of meters a month of all kinds. A 240V analog meter is around 25 dollars, or 55 depending on manufactured. A sealed, weather proof one is 200+.

Go with the LED, it will show you the same thing for a fraction of the cost.

How about a power on flag? A solenoid that raises a small flag when power is on? Combine with the LED and you have night and day power on indicator.

Also, I can put you in touch with the company that makes these LED lights, uses as power on indicator for live rail systems, trust me you can see this during any light conditions. http://www.protran1.com/DualPowerProLight.htm