Enphase Envoy-S metered - waterproof CT's for outdoor install

[Blacky1002]

Hello Everybody,

I have been working on finding a solution for a top feed situation and if the main panel doesn't allow for the install of the CT's.
Mine did not have enough space to add them inside the panel, and even if i had the space, the CT's are very loud depending on the whole house load.
They made such a noise that it was clearly noticeable in the bedroom that had the adjacent wall to the main panel.

Long story short, I was searching for a water proof solution that would allow me to install it on the incoming feed before it enters the house.
After some reverse engineering work and trial, I now have a working solution that works extremely well and I'm looking for feedback whether this is causes a
code problem or else the way its installed.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks
D
CT1.JPGCT3 installed.JPGCT2 installed.JPG

[bcroe]

How about, spray them with some insulating coating? Then put a weather hood over them, Bruce Roe

[brucet9]

What is a CT?

[max2k]

What is a CT?

Current Transformer? What puzzles me is why are they making noise.

[Mike90250]

If they are not tightly clamped down, they will buzz. Buzz = vibration = early death. And they are not likely weatherproof, the insulation and zipties will fail in a couple years of sun exposure.

[SunEagle]

If they are not tightly clamped down, they will buzz. Buzz = vibration = early death. And they are not likely weatherproof, the insulation and zipties will fail in a couple years of sun exposure.

I agree. They are not really made for outdoor use exposed to the elements. The sun will destroy those zips ties very quickly and water will find a way to get to the metal parts and cause corrosion.

[ButchDeal]

I have been working on finding a solution for a top feed situation and if the main panel doesn't allow for the install of the CT's.
Mine did not have enough space to add them inside the panel, and even if i had the space, the CT's are very loud depending on the whole house load.
They made such a noise that it was clearly noticeable in the bedroom that had the adjacent wall to the main panel.

Long story short, I was searching for a water proof solution that would allow me to install it on the incoming feed before it enters the house.
After some reverse engineering work and trial, I now have a working solution that works extremely well and I'm looking for feedback whether this is causes a
code problem or else the way its installed.

This seems like an advertisement...

CTs should NOT make any noise.
Even if you couldn't get regular CTs in you should have had no problem getting a Rogowski coil CT in on your MSP.

[SunEagle]

This seems like an advertisement...

CTs should NOT make any noise.
Even if you couldn't get regular CTs in you should have had no problem getting a Rogowski coil CT in on your MSP.

+1 on the Rogowski type CT. More expensive but very easy to install because it is flexible and you can thread it around the wire.

[Blacky1002]

Well, the original clip on CT's are certainly not weather proof. Its a low budget version that fulfills its purpose for many, but it didn't work for me.
The unit I'm using now has a full IP 67 rating. Don't get hung up on the zip ties. it was a test install to prove concept and function.

I looked into the Regowski type solution but couldn't find anything that would play nicely with the enphase Envoy-S. I didn't just want to build a metering system, but use the envoy to be ready for future battery installs. Also, during my research I found information that lead me believe its not code complaint to access or temper with the feed side of the main panel? Maybe you know more about this then I do, but that turned me away from trying to mess with it at all.

At this point, this is my concept and solution to fit my needs an I'm seeking feedback to insure i didn't miss anything vital.
Now, that is not to say I wouldn't consider making it available to people if there is interest, but that's not the intend of this posting.
I watermarked the pictures to avoid them floating around the net under other persons names, that's all.

[brucet9]

For the benefit of those who don't know as much as you guys, will someone explain what a CT does and why one would want to install same?

Thanks

[ButchDeal]

I looked into the Regowski type solution but couldn't find anything that would play nicely with the enphase Envoy-S.

The regowski CTs should work just as well with the envoy-S as any other CT.

I didn't just want to build a metering system, but use the envoy to be ready for future battery installs.

I don't see how any CT installed at the NET side of the MSP would be any different than any other CT for battery operation.

Also, during my research I found information that lead me believe its not code complaint to access or temper with the feed side of the main panel? Maybe you know more about this then I do, but that turned me away from trying to mess with it at all.

This means you can't open or tamper with the closed part of the panel that has the feed and meter on it. But you can put CTs or regowski coils all you want on the customer side. They should fit fine on almost any we have seen, even around the bus bars if need be.

[ButchDeal]

For the benefit of those who don't know as much as you guys, will someone explain what a CT does and why one would want to install same?

Thanks

The CT is a Current Transformer that is small and clamps on the lead wires to measure the current flowing through it. They are used with many production and consumption meter systems as is described in this thread. The OP has taken the extreme measure of using very large CTs and placing them over the distribution wires leading into the home form the pole when normally much smaller CTs are used over the wires in the MSP (main service panel). OP is looking to measure his consumption along with generation (the inverters give him generation).

[Blacky1002]

The CT is a Current Transformer that is small and clamps on the lead wires to measure the current flowing through it. They are used with many production and consumption meter systems as is described in this thread. The OP has taken the extreme measure of using very large CTs and placing them over the distribution wires leading into the home form the pole when normally much smaller CTs are used over the wires in the MSP (main service panel). OP is looking to measure his consumption along with generation (the inverters give him generation).

I'm using the enphase metering function which is using CT for production and consumption side to be most accurate.
It is then available in the enlighten app and accessible remotely in almost real time. I added a screen shot how this looks like on my system on a typical day.

enphase2.JPG

[Blacky1002]

This means you can't open or tamper with the closed part of the panel that has the feed and meter on it. But you can put CTs or regowski coils all you want on the customer side. They should fit fine on almost any we have seen, even around the bus bars if need be.

Didn't work on my Siemens load center.
Tricky part is to get the coils with the same specs on what the enphase expects on the input side.
Enphase doesn't quiet advertise the required coil size and burden numbers.
Based on what I found out, I'm pretty sure you wont get a matching coil unless its custom build?
If it exists though, I would be interested.

I feel going external has multiple advantages, especially if people are hesitant to work inside their load panel and feed side.
The out of the box enphase solution just isn't working for everybody

btw, this is the standard coil you get from enphase and how it might be installed if your panel has the space for it..
I borrowed those pictures, they are not from me.


..
enohase ct.JPGenohase ct2.JPG

[ButchDeal]

Tricky part is to get the coils with the same specs on what the enphase expects on the input side.
Enphase doesn't quiet advertise the required coil size and burden numbers.
Based on what I found out, I'm pretty sure you wont get a matching coil unless its custom build?
If it exists though, I would be interested.

What are the specs of the giant external CTs you used? they are not the standard ones from enphase, so how do you know they have the same current ratio?

I feel going external has multiple advantages, especially if people are hesitant to work inside their load panel and feed side.
The out of the box enphase solution just isn't working for everybody

You can't work on the feed side. you work on the customer side.
The suggested solution is not out of the box either with those large CTs on the power lines.