MONITORING INVERTER OUTPUT WITH WATTHOUR METER

moesoo · May 2015

HI ALL: I WAS TOLD ON THIS FORUM TO GET A WATTHOUR METER (THE KIND UTILITIES USE) TO CONNECT TO THE OUPTUT OF MY GRID TIE INVERTER TO MEASURE HOW MUCH ENERGY I WAS PRODUCING. I PURCHASED ONE ONLINE. IT IS SENSUS 240 VOLTS. MY INVERTER PRODUCES 120 VOLTS. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO CONNECT THE METER TO THE THE OUTPUT OF MY INVERTER.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW TO DO THIS AND GIVE INSTRUCTIONS. THANKS MOESOO.

BB. · May 2015

Usually, you purchase a meter socket, and wire that socket in series with your 240 VAC branch circuit to your GT inverter(s):

Attachment not found.

http://powersystemsloss.blogspot.com/2011/11/selection-of-kwhr-meters-for-different.html

You would purchase a meter socket that matches your meter type (4 jaw, 5 jaw, etc.) and would be easy to put into your wiring:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Eaton-125-Amp-Ringless-Overhead-Underground-Meter-Socket-UTRS101BE/202276738

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I am not an electrician... If this is not something you know about, you need to get a licensed electrician to install this for you (for safety, code, etc.).

-Bill

BB. · May 2015

Here is an example of a GT inverter setup with a second meter from one of our members (Solar_Dave):

http://forum.solar-electric.com/forum/solar-electric-power-wind-power-balance-of-system/solar-beginners-corner/19509-question-about-wiring-multiple-arrays-in-grid-tie-micro-inverter-system

fetch?id=318555

moesoo · May 2015

Thanks all for your input. the 2 inverters i want to monitor are grid tie plug and play 600 watt each. i have 2 watthour meters mounted. i am suspecting one of the inverters has gone bad, but don't know how to tell which one, hence the desire to meter. i have box with four jaw socket mount, but as i said inverters are 120 volt. my main grid tie inverter is an older trace which i have had for about 15 years. it is on a separate string of panels along with my wind turbine. i believe the trace is just fine.

more ideas???

SolarPowered · May 2015

There are numerous forms of monitoring/metering for grid tied systems.

Method 1:
Power Line Communications Data Logging and Monitoring solutions. Micro inverters use this type of metering and data logging to record each micro inverter and individual production out put. This type of metering uses both power line, and a wifi transmission to establish the accuracy of each micro inverter production. The power line signal authenticates each inverters individual algorythym, while the wifi signal offers the real time accuracy of each inverter. Once all the information is stored in the envoy communications, then envoy sends teh information through the enlighten gateway to enphase to record the life time of historical production data. Attachment not found.
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Method 2:
Uses standard meter and socket. The most common meters available for life time metering production used are the sqaure D/schnieder electric ION meters.
these meters do have communications portals and use their own data logging software for communications, and lifetime monitoring data. Attachment not found.
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For ease of use installation and costs. the micro inverter monitoring solutions are the most affordable under $420 and in some instances if you buy complete micro inverter packages the envoys are offered for free. The solutions are much easier to install and the hardware and software is inexpensive. with the square D meter socket type costs can rise upwards of $800 to $1000.

vtmaps · May 2015

moesoo wrote: »

Thanks all for your input. the 2 inverters i want to monitor are grid tie plug and play 600 watt each.

The most important input you need from this forum is that what you are doing is dangerous and illegal. That is the nature of "plug and play" inverters.

--vtMaps

moesoo · May 2015

i appreciate that bit of advice. i will immediately reconsider my idea and stay with my already installed and permitted trace inverter system. moesoo

MONITORING INVERTER OUTPUT WITH WATTHOUR METER

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