PZEM-022 Power Meter for Circuit Breaker & Generator Install!

[@KenTraining]

Thanks for showing that you put BOTH of the generator hot conductors through the CT to measure the entire generator output for 240V generators! I am doing this project at home and I forgot I could do that. Thank You!!!

[@58Alpha]

No worries. It doesn't make much sense to me to separate it for generator usage. I want to know the total amount of load is on the generator anyway. Thanks for watching!

[@TheWilferch]

Hint for others ( 7:00-7:20)..... adding wire length to the CT's ( current transformers....the "doughnut")....is typically not a problem, just use same gauge or thicker wire. CT's work by measuring current such that any (very small) voltage drop affect by adding CT wires is of very little influence...... go for it.

[@TheWilferch]

How do you fit the closure plate on your main panel?....seeing that the new meter panel alongside has 2 wire-tunnel projections placed right over the flange-face?

[@58Alpha]

I actually made a cut out for it with a Dremel

[@WilliamBaran]

I understand the need for meter hot lead on the breaker to get power, voltage reading. But isn't that 'double tapping' and against code ( doubtful the breakers designed for two wires ) ??? I guess only other option is two new breakers for A and B phases.

[@58Alpha]

What is double tapping? The breaker was all installed before I moved in. I'm sure it's to code

[@WilliamBaran]

@@58Alpha Double Tapping is having Two Wires under one screw of the breaker. Only a few breakers are designed for more than one wire.

[@TheWilferch]

Nice install.....especially since you are "reading" each 120V leg of your city 240V supply. Question: now that you are monitorong the 2 x 120V legs on city power......why didn't you use a duplicate set of 2 meters for the generator? In my view, the "health" of each individual generator 120V leg might be more important to check if it's good....compared to the need to check each 120V leg of city power.....no ?

[@58Alpha]

That's a good point but I figured I'd want to know the total voltage at the generator and I also don't use the generator every day.

[@josephasuncion3163]

Good to know that connecting the generator ctu to both wires would display total watts for the generator.

[@58Alpha]

@@josephasuncion3163 Yeah, I mean the I care more about the total watts from the generator since it's rated for an overall rating of 7500W.

[@JALBANESE5]

Nice job putting it all together. Question: In your setup with both generator lines passing through a single transformer, are you sure you're measuring the total current? It seems more likely that you're reading the net current, not the sum of the currents from both lines. Since the currents in the lines oppose each other, the transformer would show the difference between them, not their combined total. IOW, the neutral wire carries any imbalance between the line currents, so when both line wires pass through the transformer, it measures the net difference, not the total current.

[@58Alpha]

​@@JALBANESE5​@JALBANESE5 probably but I'm mostly concerned with wattage because I don't want to exceed the wattage of my generator. I haven't seen it in action really since I haven't used the generator in a situation yet.

[@josephasuncion3163]

What size wire did you use for powering the meters?

[@58Alpha]

I used the standard electrical wiring that is used in the electrical box and throughout the house that feeds your outlets and switches. Should be 14 gauge, 14-2.

[@itninja9503]

You really should move your 100A Breaker to the top of your panel and install a Generator Interlock Kit. That is required as code everywhere I have ever checked, as well as will ensure you don't hurt someone by forgetting to kill you mains when you use this.

[@58Alpha]

I do have a generator interlock kit. It's on the faceplate of the panel cover. You cannot see it when the faceplate is off.

[@GlenWilliams-o5l]

Great video, thanks! One question...where did you wire the power source for the bottom CT measuring the generator power?

[@58Alpha]

The white to the normal usual bus bar, the black from the circuit breaker that the generator is on.

[@GlenWilliams-o5l]

Thank you!

[@homayoonjoudat3713]

Nice job! but could we get the power for the monitors from sources other than the main circuit breaker panel ... like from the plugs on the wall?

[@58Alpha]

From an individual plug? That's gonna be different since many outlets are on the same circuit, and you could check the whole circuit that runs the plug you are curious about. Other than that, I'd recommend something like this which I use for individual plugs: amzn.to/3SebDEG I've used this for a couple years now and it's been awesome.