CT Orientation For GEM

[OzTechGeek]

I'm getting ready to do my GEM install finally, and was reading through the manual and was a little confused on the CT orientation topic and had a couple of questions:

1. Split-200 CT's - On a 200A panel, which direction does the arrow go? Arrow inwards/downwards towards the rest of the breakers or outwards/upwards towards the panel frame?
2. Micro-50 CT's - Has a "dot" on the "shiny" side, does the dot/shiny side face the breaker or away from the breaker?
3. Micro-80 CT's - No arrow or "dot" but looks the same as the Micro-50 has a "flat" and "shiny" side, does the "shiny" side face the breaker or away from the breaker?

Also I read something saying that for 240V load, on one cable/circuit/black wire the arrow/dot/shiny side faces the breaker, and the other cable/circuit/red wire the arrow/dot/shiny side faces away from the breaker towards the panel frame. Is this correct?

I know technically it does not matter which direction the "arrow/dot/shiny side" faces since you can just swap the wire connections around at the GEM, but I would prefer to setup everything the correct way the first time around so everything is the same.

Also I have 4 Split-200 CT's that I will be connecting to the 2 panels feeding my house, Can I connect all 4 Split-200's to CH1 (Panel #1 CT #1 and Panel #2 CT #1 goes to pin 1-2 on CH1 and Panel #1 CT #2 and Panel #2 CT #2 goes to pin 3-4 on CH1) or must I split them across CH1 and CH2?

Thanks

[ben]

I'm getting ready to do my GEM install finally, and was reading through the manual and was a little confused on the CT orientation topic and had a couple of questions:

1. Split-200 CT's - On a 200A panel, which direction does the arrow go? Arrow inwards/downwards towards the rest of the breakers or outwards/upwards towards the panel frame?

Opposing eachother, one pointing up and one pointing down.

2. Micro-50 CT's - Has a "dot" on the "shiny" side, does the dot/shiny side face the breaker or away from the breaker?
3. Micro-80 CT's - No arrow or "dot" but looks the same as the Micro-50 has a "flat" and "shiny" side, does the "shiny" side face the breaker or away from the breaker?

Only really need to worry about orientation when installing 2 CTs onto one channel. 240V circuit CTs must face opposite directions, 120V CTs must face the same direction. It's so they don't cancel from each other.

Also I have 4 Split-200 CT's that I will be connecting to the 2 panels feeding my house, Can I connect all 4 Split-200's to CH1 (Panel #1 CT #1 and Panel #2 CT #1 goes to pin 1-2 on CH1 and Panel #1 CT #2 and Panel #2 CT #2 goes to pin 3-4 on CH1) or must I split them across CH1 and CH2

You'll have to put them in series, so for example:

CT1 lead 1 into Port 1, CT1 lead 2 and CT2 lead 1 twisted together, CT2 lead 2 into Port 2.
CT3 lead 1 into Port 3, CT3 lead 2 and CT4 lead 1 twisted together, CT4 lead 2 into Port 4.

(hard to put into words)

Ben

[scyto]

Ben,

Why doesn't it say to have the split 200 CTs in opposite directions anywhere that I could find? Have you thought about doing a quick start, I have to say I found the installation of just the 2 x 200 Split CTs and setting up the software VERY confusing.

Alex

[Teken]

Ben,

Why doesn't it say to have the split 200 CTs in opposite directions anywhere that I could find? Have you thought about doing a quick start, I have to say I found the installation of just the 2 x 200 Split CTs and setting up the software VERY confusing.

Alex

Hello Alex,

The Split 200 amp CT is marked with an arrow which identifies the correct orientation of the CT. Even if you made a mistake in orientation all you need to do is reverse the wires at the end.

[scyto]

But that's the point they have two go in opposite directions when being used on a single channel. Your install pictures threw me because you had them in the same direction. I think it's because you put each one on a different channel.

My point was is there is so much info I struggled to comprehend it all. I think they need a better QuickStart guide. But that comes after the new web site

[Teken]

But that's the point they have two go in opposite directions when being used on a single channel. Your install pictures threw me because you had them in the same direction. I think it's because you put each one on a different channel.

My point was is there is so much info I struggled to comprehend it all. I think they need a better QuickStart guide. But that comes after the new web site

You're absolutely correct! I don't believe there are too many people installing their primary CT's on two separate channels like I have.

I did this to ensure I was able to see the generated power, along with having a more granular view of which side of the home was using more power etc.

My apologies for the confusing!

[scyto]

Oh it was very sensible what you did. I already have an issue of 32 channels vs ~38 breakers so had to do some combining I guess I need ben to develop that expansion !

[Teken]

Oh it was very sensible what you did. I already have an issue of 32 channels vs ~38 breakers so had to do some combining I guess I need ben to develop that expansion !

Hello Alex,

If you have not added your voice to this thread please do!

http://www.brultech.com/home/community/ ... f=29&t=967