Suggestions for a simple audible alert when utility power is restored?

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Tim K

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Southeastern PA
I know Reliance Controls makes the "PowerBack" that wraps around a leg of the utility feed and sounds an alarm when power is restored, but that is really overkill. If I had an interlock maybe I'd go that route but with a manual transfer switch and a number of circuits that are still connected to the utility feed I am looking for something more basic. I really just want something to indicate that the power is restored so I can power down my generator and switch everything back over. Sure, I can leave a random light switch on, but if I am not in that room or if it is during the day I won't notice that. I really just want something that I can plug into a receptacle on a circuit supplied by utility power that will beep or buzz when power is restored. I've heard of people plugging in clock radios, but I don't have one and don't want to buy one just for that.

I searched the internet from end to end and couldn't find anything. I thought for sure there would be some kind of receptacle tester that had an audible sound or some kind of voltage tester, but I found nothing. I thought about trying to use a non contact tester and modifying it somehow but came up blank.....I don't think the batteries would last that long plus mine always shut off automatically after a few minutes. Back in the day I'd probably go into Radio Shack and the guy there would sell me some wires, a buzzer and a kit box to make something for $2 that would do it.....but Radio Shack is long gone now.

Anyway, I was just hoping with all the minds here that someone would have a simple cheap solution.
 
Tim K said:
I know Reliance Controls makes the "PowerBack" that wraps around a leg of the utility feed and sounds an alarm when power is restored, but that is really overkill. If I had an interlock maybe I'd go that route but with a manual transfer switch and a number of circuits that are still connected to the utility feed I am looking for something more basic. I really just want something to indicate that the power is restored so I can power down my generator and switch everything back over. Sure, I can leave a random light switch on, but if I am not in that room or if it is during the day I won't notice that. I really just want something that I can plug into a receptacle on a circuit supplied by utility power that will beep or buzz when power is restored. I've heard of people plugging in clock radios, but I don't have one and don't want to buy one just for that.

I searched the internet from end to end and couldn't find anything. I thought for sure there would be some kind of receptacle tester that had an audible sound or some kind of voltage tester, but I found nothing. I thought about trying to use a non contact tester and modifying it somehow but came up blank.....I don't think the batteries would last that long plus mine always shut off automatically after a few minutes. Back in the day I'd probably go into Radio Shack and the guy there would sell me some wires, a buzzer and a kit box to make something for $2 that would do it.....but Radio Shack is long gone now.

Anyway, I was just hoping with all the minds here that someone would have a simple cheap solution.
Click to expand...

There's this.

https://www.grainger.com/product/GENERAL-ELECTRIC-Buzzer-4ZZH2
 
Ideally, it would be installed in the transfer switch, wired to a set of auxiliary contacts that would connect it to the incoming POCO line when the transfer switch was in the "generator" position.
(yes, I do know that I opened up a big ol' can o' worms here)
 
drcampbell said:
Ideally, it would be installed in the transfer switch, wired to a set of auxiliary contacts that would connect it to the incoming POCO line when the transfer switch was in the "generator" position.
(yes, I do know that I opened up a big ol' can o' worms here)
Click to expand...

OP has an MTS.
 
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