resposito wrote:
I am having trouble finding any electrician that has any experience installing GEM...or even knows what I am talking about when I tell them I want to install an energy monitor.
I live in Tarpon Springs FL 34688..
Thanks,
Rafaele
Wow, I'm not that far away in Bartow. I probably could help you out on a weekend if absolutely necessary or you ran into a problem, but I don't think you will.
I too was in your situation, not really wanting to work on the panel. But it can be done, if you're careful and plan everything out. Teken has an excellent presentation of his entire installation, where he shows working on the main panel. There are many other photos here in the forum too from people who've installed it.
Basically, as you've noted, you must turn off the main breaker. After that it is just a matter of logistics, making sure you run the correct CT on the correct circuit, and make sure the CT lead is identifiable, so it can be installed into the GEM in the desired location.
There are also "split-core" CTs, which you install without even removing the wire from the breaker. They are much more expensive however. I purchased several of these to use so I wouldn't have to remove several of the highest amperage wires. I probably would spend the extra money again, if for no other reason just to save a disconnect/reconnect of the wire in the breaker.
For lower amperage circuits, it really isn't difficult at all to unscrew the hold-down and remove the wire, they are much smaller than the high amperage circuits.
For all circuits, it is very important to tighten the wire back down correctly. I'm thinking Teken had an inch-lb torque wrench, and I tried with it too but instead I practiced with screws into wood and then went by feel. You can also tell when you're loosening the wire how much torque there should be, although I did find one circuit which wasn't really tightened correctly. So that was actually another benefit of installing the GEM.
It is a great system, I think everybody who purchases one is happy. Brultech and everybody there are great to work with. Ben from Brultech, Teken and others here on the forum are also very helpful. It is really a matter of deciding to do it, and once you're doing it you find that you really can do this.