Pilot light for gutter warmers

[mike1061]

Anybody know of a pilot light that I could use in series with gutter warmers? Inside, dry location.
The problem with standerd pilot lights, is they go on when the switch is on. The heater could be unplugged and the light still works.
I want one that the current goes through the light, so if the warmer isn't working the light won't light. Like an old Christmas tree light.
Thanks
Mike

 

[winnie]

A simple lamp in series with your load would need to be very high current and low voltage. Better would be to use a current transformer with a suitable lamp on the CT output terminals, rather than a meter.

A search for the term 'current indicator' pulls up these possibilities:
http://instrumentation-central.com/CurrentLights/TenorCurrentLights.pdf
http://www.tempco.com/instrumentation/current_indicators.htm
https://www.relayspec.com/specs/002400/lcs10t12_Lpm.pdf

McMaster has 'current indicating rings'

Lots of choices.

-Jon

 

[mike1061]

Thanks
MIke

 

[SceneryDriver]

CR Magnetics has a wide selection of CT indicators. They're lower cost than many other CT's I've looked at as well.

http://www.crmagnetics.com/Products/CR2550-P13.aspx

The model I linked to will indicate at more than 0.75A draw. It has a capacity of up to 20A.



SceneryDriver

 

[kwired]

CR Magnetics has a wide selection of CT indicators. They're lower cost than many other CT's I've looked at as well.

http://www.crmagnetics.com/Products/CR2550-P13.aspx

The model I linked to will indicate at more than 0.75A draw. It has a capacity of up to 20A.



SceneryDriver

And with any CT type monitoring device - multiple passes of the monitored conductor through the CT can increase how low of a current is possible to be sensed. So if the linked model only is triggered by .75 A or more, and you only have a .50 amp load then looping the conductor twice through the CT will make it see 1.0 amps.

 

[SceneryDriver]

And with any CT type monitoring device - multiple passes of the monitored conductor through the CT can increase how low of a current is possible to be sensed. So if the linked model only is triggered by .75 A or more, and you only have a .50 amp load then looping the conductor twice through the CT will make it see 1.0 amps.

Good point. I had assumed that the gutter heaters would probably draw more than 0.75A. That information could come in handy though, if one had to sense a small current for some reason.


SceneryDriver

 

[mike1061]

Thanks a lot guys.
Mike