Help with a strange breaker issue

[dlmorgan999]

When I was installing my recently-purchased GEM I found something really odd. I have one small breaker panel on the outside of my house (right next to the power meter). This contains the main shutoff, and breakers for the air conditioner compressors and the furnaces.

The odd part is that one of the two air conditioners is on a breaker in this panel that is fed directly from the power meter (it doesn't go through the main breaker). Is there anything I can do from a configuration or CT perspective to let me get a true reading of my total power consumption in the DashBox software?

[ben]

When I was installing my recently-purchased GEM I found something really odd. I have one small breaker panel on the outside of my house (right next to the power meter). This contains the main shutoff, and breakers for the air conditioner compressors and the furnaces.

The odd part is that one of the two air conditioners is on a breaker in this panel that is fed directly from the power meter (it doesn't go through the main breaker). Is there anything I can do from a configuration or CT perspective to let me get a true reading of my total power consumption in the DashBox software?

If you have CTs on the A/Cs, I'd checkmark the "Main" boxes for both your main breaker, and the 2 A/Cs that are fed directly from the power meter.

[dlmorgan999]

If you have CTs on the A/Cs, I'd checkmark the "Main" boxes for both your main breaker, and the 2 A/Cs that are fed directly from the power meter.

Ok - that's easy. Thanks Ben!

[dlmorgan999]

I don't know if anything can be done about this, but now that I've checked the "Main" boxes for the additional circuits, they no longer show up on the "Highest consuming loads" bar chart on the Now tab and also on the list on the right side of the Calendar tab.

[Teken]

You have several choices which are either leave as it was before. Use the method outlined by Ben. Or use another set of CT's and GEM channel to monitor it separately.

It comes down to use case and preference. Since you already monitor the primary feeds in my mind I would rather monitor the AC as a independent load.


Ideals are peaceful - History is violent

[dlmorgan999]

I don't quite understand your answer. I am using Split-200 CTs to monitor the main feed to the house. I'm also using Micro-50 CTs to monitor every circuit on the outside panel (these are the ones that don't go through the main feed to the house).

I can see the power draw for all the individual circuits. The problem is that if I don't mark them as "Main" then I get an incorrect value for the "Consumption Now" gauge (the total doesn't include the air conditioner load, for example). Does this make sense? Am I missing something?

[Teken]

I don't quite understand your answer. I am using Split-200 CTs to monitor the main feed to the house. I'm also using Micro-50 CTs to monitor every circuit on the outside panel (these are the ones that don't go through the main feed to the house).

I can see the power draw for all the individual circuits. The problem is that if I don't mark them as "Main" then I get an incorrect value for the "Consumption Now" gauge (the total doesn't include the air conditioner load, for example). Does this make sense? Am I missing something?

In my view since you're already monitoring the AC via micro 50 CT's there is no reason to use the *Main* feature.

Your problem (correct me if I am wrong) is that the daily total isn't being accurately reported because the AC is directly being fed by the POCO's meter base.

Which is not at all common to say the least.

I know some of this may be semantics but you still have the ability to select that one channel say the AC and see all the charts, graphs, and KWH / $. That is from a individual load perspective but it doesn't address the fact the daily consumption now will be accurate because it won't unless you follow what Ben suggests.

Realistically, the AC should be rewired so it doesn't feed off directly from the meter base.

[dlmorgan999]

Ok - that makes sense. Thanks for the detailed response. I'll try various configurations and see which one I like best.

The whole breaker panel wiring thing really took me by surprise. After further testing, I determined that all the breakers on the outside panel appear to be fed directly from the POCO (setting them all as "Main" was the only way the "Consumption Now" gauge seemed about right).

I know a fair amount about electrical wiring, but this is weird. I may do some more research on the internet to see if I can get detailed information about this particular panel.

[Teken]

Keep us all in the loop as to what you ultimately decide to do. As I am sure someone a year down the road may find your set up a good solution for them!

Have a great week end.


Ideals are peaceful - History is violent

[dlmorgan999]

For now I've decided to check the "Main" box for all the appropriate circuits. I like having the "Consumption Now" gauge be accurate. Having said that, I've recreated that gauge on a dashboard.

I think I'll ask Ben if he could add a dashboard module that replicates the "Highest consuming loads" bar chart on the Now tab of the Summary page. If I had that as a module then I could uncheck the "Main" box for all those circuits and still have the both of those graphs, but I would also get back the missing loads from the Calendar tab.

Also, after talking with a friend today I now understand the outside panel issue. The power meter feeds the bus in that panel, which powers the six breakers that feed the furnaces, the air conditioner compressors, and a couple other circuits. In addition, there is a 200 Amp circuit (four breakers) that feeds the other panels in the garage.