Monitoring House voltage.........

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

chevyx92

Senior Member
Location
VA BCH, VA
Trying to think of a code compliant install to do the following in a house.

Customer has a manual generator transfer switch. It's one of those interlock kits that go on a main panel and you can select whatever circuits you want to turn on when generator is running.

When they are on generator power they often don't realize when normal power comes back on and run the generator longer than needed. They want an audible alarm to sound when normal power is restored.

Question:

How would you do this?

I'm thinking I can tap main, install fuse block, from fuse block run wiring to a switch, from switch to an audible alarm. They would have to turn switch on when the power goes out and then shut it off when power is restored. I can't think of much else to do without of course spending too much money. Any other ideas?
 
Normally customers who want such things go for a completely automatic generator and ATS. Imho, if you have a manual generator, you might lose power once or twice a year for half a day, max, and concern about running a bit of extra fuel when POCO power is restored is a non-issue.

Something like this:

https://sense.com/

might be able to be configured to do what you want, tho I've no idea on price or user friendliness.

Little Bill said:
Either that or watch for the neighbors lights!:p
Click to expand...

You joke but that is probably what I'd do or recommend.
 
chevyx92 said:
I'm thinking I can tap main, install fuse block, from fuse block run wiring to a switch, from switch to an audible alarm. They would have to turn switch on when the power goes out and then shut it off when power is restored. I can't think of much else to do without of course spending too much money. Any other ideas?
Click to expand...

An ATS has a delay timer to make sure utility power is up for a long enough period before switching back. Your alarm won't, so it may sound intermittently in certain situations. They may end up turning off the alarm and watching the neighbor's lights anyway. You could aim a photocell at neighbor's window I suppose. :) (I'm channelling Rube Goldberg now.)
 
Last edited:
You would need to comply with 230.82 if you want a tap on the line side of the service disconnect.
 
Coppersmith said:
An ATS has a delay timer to make sure utility power is up for a long enough period before switching back. Your alarm won't, so it may sound intermittently in certain situations. They may end up turning off the alarm and watching the neighbor's lights anyway. You could aim a photocell at neighbor's window I suppose. :) (I'm channelling Rube Goldberg now.)
Click to expand...
A delay timer can fix that issue.

Tapping the main service conductor will mean you need an additional service disconnecting means and not just a fuse holder for such an indicator if you want it to be NEC compliant, unless you can find something listed for that sort of purpose.
 
chevyx92 said:
Trying to think of a code compliant install to do the following in a house.

Customer has a manual generator transfer switch. It's one of those interlock kits that go on a main panel and you can select whatever circuits you want to turn on when generator is running.

When they are on generator power they often don't realize when normal power comes back on and run the generator longer than needed. They want an audible alarm to sound when normal power is restored.

Question:

How would you do this?

I'm thinking I can tap main, install fuse block, from fuse block run wiring to a switch, from switch to an audible alarm. They would have to turn switch on when the power goes out and then shut it off when power is restored. I can't think of much else to do without of course spending too much money. Any other ideas?
Click to expand...

Why at the service? Just cut into a branch circuit not selectable for generator power.
 
infinity said:
Does that connect to the line side of the service disconnect?
Click to expand...
That device just has a voltage sensor (the black wire) which is to be wrapped around one of the ungrounded conductors, and a ground connection (the green wire) which is to go to the equipment ground. So does it count as "connected"? That also explains why it needs a battery.

Cheers, Wayne
 
I have been considering a generator w/ a manual transfer switch. My plan was to not have the hall lights on one of the transferred circuits, and when I do the transfer, turn on the hall light switch.

I had a similar thing at my house when there was a power outage. I didn't realize when the power came back on, just kept reading by flashlight.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top