www.garagejournal.com
+1 Looks great to me.
The OP wants to monitor power on the unfused line side of the main breaker. Much safer to use the product linked in post #3Had a similar need, and solved it with the parts you see in this post:
Compressor safety, it always bears repeating
found a twist it for 10-60 minutes run time switch that could handle the amp load. I just had a thread on here, using a spring wound timer for a small compressor at the Volunteer warehouse , so the little pancake compressor to run our carton stapler can't get left on .
That connection point would indicate the generator is providing power. The OP wants to see when commercial power is restored. Upstream of the main breaker which is turned off when his generator is on.
I had that exact one ( before I got a whole house generator). Worked perfectly and easy to install.
Yes, but here in the country all the neighbors in eye sight (Only 3) have generators also. I purchased an LED strip that I was going to remove the buzzer and install it to be seen from the house. Not sure if it is going to work. But for around $20 if it don't I'm not out much.
How does that work if the main is off?
OK, now I've re-read the original post and see that he wants to monitor "street power" ahead of the main breaker. Agree, a capacitive pickup device like post #3 link is best here, you want nothing contacting said conductors.
When the light goes out, the generator is out of gas.
No issue if there's an interlock.
How does that work with the main disconnect being open/shut off?
Why not just look at your meter every so often? If its a smart meter it will be on when power is back (the screen will display your usage). If its an old school meter it will be spinning.
So is walking to work every day, but it's not as convenient as driving.
Not quite the same analogy.So is walking to work every day, but it's not as convenient as driving.
Well said.
Does it alarm when the grid is off, or on?
It alarms when power comes back. I just realized it has a switch. You turn on the device when you hook up your generator. So outside of that, it just sits idle.
It alarms when power comes back. I just realized it has a switch. You turn on the device when you hook up your generator. So outside of that, it just sits idle.
Its almost like they thought this through...
Do it
There would be no current on the grid feed if the house was powered by the generator.
Since the house is still powered by the generator let’s hope the meter is not spinning.
If he has a generator sub panel then he would have severed the connection between his main breaker and the generator sub panel. The meter can, and will, spin once grid power comes back on,.. or. If its a smart meter the display will illuminate and display usage.
The simplest way to connect a generator is an interlock kit, assuming one is available for your panel, which means the whole panel is shut off. Doing a multi circuit transfer switch is definitely doable, but not nearly as easy.
Doesn't current needs to be flowing for a CT to work?
I think you're right, back to the drawing board
I found a couple circuit designs, you're not far off.
I have this installed at my main panel. It's perfect. It does exactly what I want it to do. I do not store the batteries in it while not in use.... Alkaline batteries are notorious for leaking acid into whatever device they're installed in.
Not a bad idea regarding the batteries. That got me to this thought. What if you got a 9V battery eliminator, and plugged it into a source that's only on generator, and used that to power the gadget. Then you could leave the switch on, and it won't scream unless your generator is putting out power AND utility is working. So, it will tell you when utility comes on, but may also scream while you're exercising your generator, depending on how you hook it up.
I like the idea, but how to implement it? How do you get a receptacle setup that is only generator fed without running another cord from the generator? Only thing I can think of would be to tap into the generator feeder, but then you are (generally) looking at a 30a circuit
Most generators have outlets on them. You can plug a wall wart into that and then carry the 9VDC in whatever cheap wire you want. Thermostat wire, heck ethernet cable would do the trick.
Oh yeah, I get that. It's just another cord to run
