Talk to me about TED

[gregvet]

This is my panel. I am assuming it goes on the left and right cable and the white cable is the neutral.


What do I need to do in the inverter? Here are a couple pictures.

What I did was to put my CT's on the main lines going into the service panels (I have 2 service panels) and one set where the AC lines enter the power pedestal from the inverter orienting them as per instructions. Since the inverter is quite a ways from the power pedestal, I did not have to worry calculating the voltage drop from the inverter to the meter and my kWh readings have been quite consistent to my monthly bills.

[DanS26]

Whoa you guys....the TED does not connect in the inverters...close those things up!

Connect the TED CT's for solar production at the "point of common connection" with grid power. That is usually in the main distribution panel...that's the breaker at the bottom of the panel usually. Sometimes there is an AC combiner panel for more than one inverter, put the TED CT's in there. Other places would be the solar AC disconnect, but remember you have to get power to the MTU's....that maybe difficult to get in a disconnect box without violating some NEC rules.

[HX_Guy]

Haha, I don't have an inverter yet, that's an image I found online.


This is however a picture of the inside of my main service panel. Let's pretend the 60A breaker I have in there now was for the solar, can I just clamp the CT's around the two cables I pointed to? Would that be the best way?

[DanS26]

Haha, I don't have an inverter yet, that's an image I found online.


This is however a picture of the inside of my main service panel. Let's pretend the 60A breaker I have in there now was for the solar, can I just clamp the CT's around the two cables I pointed to? Would that be the best way?

Yes, that's correct except the breaker would be at the bottom of the panel per NEC rules.

[HX_Guy]

I'm surprised there wouldn't be interference from all the other power wires in such close proximity.

And good thing I have a couple slots open there at the bottom!

[bcroe]

I'm surprised there wouldn't be interference from all the other power wires in such close proximity.

And good thing I have a couple slots open there at the bottom!

A good (current) transformer only sees the current through the opening. Everything
else cancels out. Bruce Roe

[Mb190e]

Yes, close up the inverter no reason to poke around in there. This is how mine is set up 2 CT clamps on incoming mains 2 CT clamps on incoming AC from the inverters with 2 MTU's in the bottom right corner of main panel. I had my installer run a little extra wire around the panel so I could put my CT clamps in the bottom where there is more room. So I wasn't trying to squeeze it in next to a breaker or in my case next to the hot taps in the top the panel. For the powerline communication try to find the breaker that powers the receptacle you plan on plugging the gateway into. use that to connect power wires form the MTU the communication works so much better when you're on the same circuit.

[SunEagle]

Yes, close up the inverter no reason to poke around in there. This is how mine is set up 2 CT clamps on incoming mains 2 CT clamps on incoming AC from the inverters with 2 MTU's in the bottom right corner of main panel. I had my installer run a little extra wire around the panel so I could put my CT clamps in the bottom where there is more room. So I wasn't trying to squeeze it in next to a breaker or in my case next to the hot taps in the top the panel. For the powerline communication try to find the breaker that powers the receptacle you plan on plugging the gateway into. use that to connect power wires form the MTU the communication works so much better when you're on the same circuit.

I am surprised the electrical inspector allowed you to connect that #16 AWG power cable for the MTU's to a 20 amp breaker.

[inetdog]

I am surprised the electrical inspector allowed you to connect that #16 AWG power cable for the MTU's to a 20 amp breaker.

Sometimes appearances are deceiving. If the #16 wire is fixture wire type rather than building wire type, it may well be code to use it on a 20A breaker. And depending on the load of the power supply, the smaller wire may well qualify as a tap conductor.
If the power supply were cord and plug connected, plugging the cord into a 20A protected receptacle would not be an NEC issue.

However, seeing it inside the main panel is a little unusual to say the least. Splices are allowed to reside inside the panel, as are surge protectors and some other devices, but power supplies? Hmmm.

[Mb190e]

Here it is right from the installation guide from The Energy Detective website (TED) 15, 20 or 30 amp breaker.

[inetdog]

Here it is right from the installation guide from The Energy Detective website (TED) 15, 20 or 30 amp breaker.

If the equipment itself is UL listed, then the instructions that are included with the equipment become part of that UL listed product and, to the extent that the wiring is supplied with the product trump the rest of the NEC (as NEC applies to building wiring rather than internal product wiring.)

[RiggedCT]

I think I got it.

I think this is correct.

1zpptl2.jpg

[DanS26]

I am surprised the electrical inspector allowed you to connect that #16 AWG power cable for the MTU's to a 20 amp breaker.

Also most breakers are rated to only accept one wire. I don't know the rating on that breaker, but I'd be willing to bet its rating does not accept three wires.

[inetdog]

Also most breakers are rated to only accept one wire. I don't know the rating on that breaker, but I'd be willing to bet its rating does not accept three wires.

True. You would have to use a pigtail and wire nuts or other types of connectors to be compliant.

[fengshui]

BusBars suck

I am so jealous of you all with nice wired connections between the meter and the breaker grid. My meter connects direct to my breakers with bus bars, and there's no room under them to slip the CTs. Any ideas?