Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Allan Sindelar via RE-wrenches]

In my experience, trackers have never made sense in off grid residential applications. In general terms, an expensive dual-axis Wattsun tracker offers a ~35% potential increase in daily solar gain around the summer solstice, and only a 10-15% gain in winter, due to seasonal sunpath variation. Any off grid residence has maximum load in winter, not summer - for most folks summer produces an excess, if sized well for winter loads. If you need more solar input, add panels rather than a tracker.  With specific exceptions, I would design for winter loads, with a pole top rack for easy (and usually one-person) seasonal adjustment. I also advised clients to set the PT rack tilt angle to latitude from around the 10th of February to the 10th of November, and latitude +15 degrees for the six weeks either side of the winter solstice, December 22. This was instead of adjusting tilt angle on the equinoxes. My installations were in the desert southwest but the principles apply anywhere. Also, my experience with Solar Rackworks has been top tier for decades. Jeff Randall cut his teeth at Zomeworks in solar’s early days, was the engineer who designed Direct Power and Water’s racks, waited out his non-compete after PLP bought DP, then started SR with 30 years’ production experience. And he was always willing to modify a design for a specific client or project. Allan Sindelar Fully retired, finallyNABCEP & Journeyman licenses expiredOn Mar 8, 2024, at 3:50 PM, Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar via RE-wrenches  wrote:Spendy for the right client, Jeff and Kyle still support/sell the best trackers out there.
https://www.wattsun.com/
Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
  https://offgridsolar1.com/ 
e-mail  offgridso...@sti.net
text 209 813 0060
On 2024-03-08 3:27 pm, Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches wrote:



Another one out there that is worth looking at is MT Solar. 
Cheers,
Dave

On Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 5:51 PM Kent via RE-wrenches  wrote:

Jeremy,I think the Solar RacksWorks TPMs are virtually identical to the DPW TPMs. My go to TPM is General Specialties; They are a solid design and I think they are easier to assemble. They also have UL listed TPMs but they have top mounting clamps, and for the life of me I don't understand the logic of of a top mount clamp on a TPM.Kent OsterbergBlue Mountain Solar
On 3/8/2024 2:30 PM, Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches wrote:

With news that PLP has dropped the TPM line, what are you all recommending for a good mount for up to 8 modules , 400 w range. 
I looked in the archives, but no luck. 
I thought there was someone formerly at DPW that was making them. 

Jeremy Rodriguez 
Solar Installation / Design
All Solar, Inc.
1453 M St. 
Penrose Colorado 81240

Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand. 
_
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Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Sam Haraldson via RE-wrenches]

Adding in my vote for MT Solar.  Quality product, quality customer service.
I saw someone mention Wattsun as well but their product is trackers not
simply pole mounts.  They too have superb customer service but not for
static racking.

- Sam
OnSite Energy, Inc.
Bozeman, MT
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Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Chris Daum via RE-wrenches]

Hear hear!  www.mtsolar.us  Great folks with whom to 
do business.
 
Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309 or 4321
406-777-4309 fax
www.oasismontana.com   
 
 
From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of Dave 
Tedeyan via RE-wrenches
Sent: Friday, March 8, 2024 4:28 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Dave Tedeyan 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search
 
Another one out there that is worth looking at is MT Solar. 
Cheers,
Dave
On Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 5:51 PM Kent via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > 
wrote:
Jeremy,

I think the Solar RacksWorks TPMs are virtually identical to the DPW TPMs. My 
go to TPM is General Specialties  ; 
They are a solid design and I think they are easier to assemble. They also have 
UL listed TPMs but they have top mounting clamps, and for the life of me I 
don't understand the logic of of a top mount clamp on a TPM.

Kent Osterberg
Blue Mountain Solar
 
On 3/8/2024 2:30 PM, Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches wrote:
With news that PLP has dropped the TPM line, what are you all recommending for 
a good mount for up to 8 modules , 400 w range. 
I looked in the archives, but no luck. 
I thought there was someone formerly at DPW that was making them. 
 
Jeremy Rodriguez 
Solar Installation / Design
All Solar, Inc.
1453 M St. 
Penrose Colorado 81240
 
Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand. 
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Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Ray Walters via RE-wrenches]

Here's another mount at the edge of failure, from the same system. 
Hardware is tight.  Like many, I had lots of love for good ol' fashion 
bottom mounting vs top mount, until this happened about 5 years ago.


This is how we learn.

On 3/8/2024 5:15 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches wrote:


I've had several modules pull off of bottom mount racking in high 
winds, but never top mount racking.  Newer modules have much thinner 
frames, but are much more surface area than the old days.



Ray Walters
Remote Solar


On 3/8/2024 3:50 PM, Kent via RE-wrenches wrote:
and for the life of me I don't understand the logic of of a top mount 
clamp on a TPM.


Kent Osterberg
Blue Mountain Solar___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Ray Walters via RE-wrenches]

I've had several modules pull off of bottom mount racking in high winds, 
but never top mount racking.  Newer modules have much thinner frames, 
but are much more surface area than the old days.


So to answer Kent's question:

Ray Walters
Remote Solar


On 3/8/2024 3:50 PM, Kent via RE-wrenches wrote:
and for the life of me I don't understand the logic of of a top mount 
clamp on a TPM.


Kent Osterberg
Blue Mountain Solar___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Roy Butler via RE-wrenches]

MT Solar is very much in business.

Anyone going to the NABCEP Conference later this month? They're at booth 
#34.
Hope to see some of you there, I'll be around booth 38 and registration 
most of the time.


Roy Butler
Four Winds Renewable Energy, LLC
8902 Route 46, Arkport, NY 14807
607-324-9747

Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you 
don’t.

“The less people know, the more stubbornly they know it.”

Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message,
a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.




On 3/8/2024 5:40 PM, Nathan J. Stumpff via RE-wrenches wrote:
It’s been a few years since I bought these but it looks like they are 
still going, I always thought it was a good product when I bought in 
the past:


https://www.mtsolar.us/

Cheers,
-Nathan

On Fri, Mar 8, 2024 at 2:31 PM Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:


With news that PLP has dropped the TPM line, what are you all
recommending for a good mount for up to 8 modules , 400 w range.
I looked in the archives, but no luck.
I thought there was someone formerly at DPW that was making them.

Jeremy Rodriguez
Solar Installation / Design
All Solar, Inc.
1453 M St.
Penrose Colorado 81240

Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand.
___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar via RE-wrenches]

Spendy for the right client, Jeff and Kyle still support/sell the best 
trackers out there.

https://www.wattsun.com/

Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
   [2]https://offgridsolar1.com/ [3]  [2]
e-mail  offgridso...@sti.net
text 209 813 0060

On 2024-03-08 3:27 pm, Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches wrote:


Another one out there that is worth looking at is MT Solar.
Cheers,
Dave

On Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 5:51 PM Kent via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:

Jeremy,

I think the Solar RacksWorks TPMs are virtually identical to the DPW 
TPMs. My go to TPM is General Specialties [1]; They are a solid design 
and I think they are easier to assemble. They also have UL listed TPMs 
but they have top mounting clamps, and for the life of me I don't 
understand the logic of of a top mount clamp on a TPM.


Kent Osterberg
Blue Mountain Solar

On 3/8/2024 2:30 PM, Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches wrote:

With news that PLP has dropped the TPM line, what are you all 
recommending for a good mount for up to 8 modules , 400 w range.

I looked in the archives, but no luck.
I thought there was someone formerly at DPW that was making them.

Jeremy Rodriguez
Solar Installation / Design
All Solar, Inc.
1453 M St.
Penrose Colorado 81240

Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand.
___
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Links:
--
[1] https://www.generalspecialtiesmfg.com/
[2] http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
[3] https://offgridsolar1.com/___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches]

Another one out there that is worth looking at is MT Solar.
Cheers,
Dave

On Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 5:51 PM Kent via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Jeremy,
>
> I think the Solar RacksWorks TPMs are virtually identical to the DPW TPMs.
> My go to TPM is General Specialties
> ; They are a solid design and I
> think they are easier to assemble. They also have UL listed TPMs but they
> have top mounting clamps, and for the life of me I don't understand the
> logic of of a top mount clamp on a TPM.
>
> Kent Osterberg
> Blue Mountain Solar
>
>
> On 3/8/2024 2:30 PM, Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches wrote:
>
> With news that PLP has dropped the TPM line, what are you all recommending 
> for a good mount for up to 8 modules , 400 w range.
> I looked in the archives, but no luck.
> I thought there was someone formerly at DPW that was making them.
>
> Jeremy Rodriguez
> Solar Installation / Design
> All Solar, Inc.
> 1453 M St.
> Penrose Colorado 81240
>
> Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand.
> ___
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>
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>
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> settings:http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
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> other:https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
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>
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>
> ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Kent via RE-wrenches]

Jeremy,

I think the Solar RacksWorks TPMs are virtually identical to the DPW 
TPMs. My go to TPM is General Specialties 
; They are a solid design and I 
think they are easier to assemble. They also have UL listed TPMs but 
they have top mounting clamps, and for the life of me I don't understand 
the logic of of a top mount clamp on a TPM.


Kent Osterberg
Blue Mountain Solar


On 3/8/2024 2:30 PM, Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches wrote:

With news that PLP has dropped the TPM line, what are you all recommending for 
a good mount for up to 8 modules , 400 w range.
I looked in the archives, but no luck.
I thought there was someone formerly at DPW that was making them.

Jeremy Rodriguez
Solar Installation / Design
All Solar, Inc.
1453 M St.
Penrose Colorado 81240

Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand.
___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Bryan Norkunas via RE-wrenches]

Try Solar Rack Works


[Description: Description: PV-Cables_Logo_Transparent_Bkgnd_140x140]

Bryan Norkunas
PV-Cables Inc.
989 Milton Ave Ste 1D
Ferndale CA 95536
(707) 923-3000 office
www.pv-cables.com


 [cid:image002.jpg@01DA17CF.578FC540]  Please print only if necessary.

NOTE: This email message and any attachments are for the sole use of the 
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From: RE-wrenches  on behalf of 
Nathan J. Stumpff via RE-wrenches 
Sent: Friday, March 8, 2024 2:40:20 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Nathan J. Stumpff 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

It’s been a few years since I bought these but it looks like they are still 
going, I always thought it was a good product when I bought in the past:

https://www.mtsolar.us/

Cheers,
-Nathan

On Fri, Mar 8, 2024 at 2:31 PM Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
With news that PLP has dropped the TPM line, what are you all recommending for 
a good mount for up to 8 modules , 400 w range.
I looked in the archives, but no luck.
I thought there was someone formerly at DPW that was making them.

Jeremy Rodriguez
Solar Installation / Design
All Solar, Inc.
1453 M St.
Penrose Colorado 81240

Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand.
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Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Nathan J. Stumpff via RE-wrenches]

It’s been a few years since I bought these but it looks like they are still
going, I always thought it was a good product when I bought in the past:

https://www.mtsolar.us/

Cheers,
-Nathan

On Fri, Mar 8, 2024 at 2:31 PM Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> With news that PLP has dropped the TPM line, what are you all recommending
> for a good mount for up to 8 modules , 400 w range.
> I looked in the archives, but no luck.
> I thought there was someone formerly at DPW that was making them.
>
> Jeremy Rodriguez
> Solar Installation / Design
> All Solar, Inc.
> 1453 M St.
> Penrose Colorado 81240
>
> Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand.
> ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[William Miller via RE-wrenches]

https://solarrackworks.com/top-of-pole-racks.html

Jeff Randall has been in the business for years and he is as solid as they
come.  He started DPW.

William

Miller Solar
17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
805-438-5600
www.millersolar.com
CA Lic. 773985


-Original Message-
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On
Behalf Of Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches
Sent: Friday, March 8, 2024 2:31 PM
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Cc: Jeremy Rodriguez
Subject: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

With news that PLP has dropped the TPM line, what are you all recommending
for a good mount for up to 8 modules , 400 w range.
I looked in the archives, but no luck.
I thought there was someone formerly at DPW that was making them.

Jeremy Rodriguez
Solar Installation / Design
All Solar, Inc.
1453 M St.
Penrose Colorado 81240

Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand.
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[RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches]

With news that PLP has dropped the TPM line, what are you all recommending for 
a good mount for up to 8 modules , 400 w range. 
I looked in the archives, but no luck. 
I thought there was someone formerly at DPW that was making them. 

Jeremy Rodriguez 
Solar Installation / Design
All Solar, Inc.
1453 M St. 
Penrose Colorado 81240

Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand. 
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Clamping CTs Around Live Conductors - White Paper References and/or Anecdotal Information Requested

[Kent via RE-wrenches]

Sam,

As long as the CT leads are properly terminated, opening or closing the 
clamp-on CT core is nothing different that what a clamp-on ammeter is 
doing. Make a mistake and pull the leads out of the multimeter and you 
may have a high voltage arc. There are other problems with using a 
multimeter in this manner: 1) that the current ranges are usually fused 
and the fuse may not clear a high voltage arc, and 2) switching current 
ranges may temporarily open the circuit.


Kent Osterberg
Blue Mountain Solar


On 3/8/2024 8:29 AM, Sam Haraldson via RE-wrenches wrote:

Dear Wrenches,

I'm trying to determine whether or not it is acceptable to clamp 
monitoring CTs around hot conductors.  For this question please assume 
the CT wires are landed in their proper terminals and that proper 
PPE/safety protocol is employed. The monitored currents in question 
are residential services of 600A or less. Is there harm to the CT by 
clamping them around a hot conductor?


The physics of a CT from my brief research states that,/"...the 
secondary of a current transformer should not be disconnected from its 
burden while current is in the primary, as the secondary will attempt 
to continue driving current into an effective infinite impedance 
potentially generating high voltages and thus compromising operator 
safety." /This begs the question how I can use my DMM clamp meter w/o 
causing damage or is the italicized text related to very high current 
applications from the world of medium and high voltage equipment and 
not as pertinent to the residential and light commercial world I work in?


I suspect this is a no-brainer answer for the seasoned professionals 
on the list and I'll be most appreciative for any proof (no matter how 
brief) you wish to share.  Ultimately we wish to minimize the need to 
perform power shut downs and interrupt client service when installing 
load monitoring CTs to a home but only wish to do so if it is part of 
a safe and non equipment-harming process.


Sincerely,
Sam Haraldson

OnSite Energy 
 
	

SAM HARALDSON
Field Operations Director
(406) 551-6135
1515 N. Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715
Locally owned and operated since 2012
	B Corporation 
 




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Re: [RE-wrenches] Clamping CTs Around Live Conductors - White Paper References and/or Anecdotal Information Requested

[Glenn Burt via RE-wrenches]

The answer depends on the type of CT.If it has an internal resistor which 
converts the measuerment to a voltage, it is okay to clamp on live.If it is 
purely a CT that outputs a different current to be measured, then they can 
create an inductive kick ant shock and destroy.-GlennSent from my 'smart'phone, 
so please excuse typos and spelling errors.-- Original message--From: 
Sam Haraldson via RE-wrenchesDate: Fri, Mar 8, 2024 11:29 AMTo: RE-wrenches;Cc: 
Sam Haraldson;Subject:[RE-wrenches] Clamping CTs Around Live Conductors - White 
Paper References and/or Anecdotal Information RequestedDear Wrenches,I'm trying 
to determine whether or not it is acceptable to clamp monitoring CTs around hot 
conductors.  For this question please assume the CT wires are landed in their 
proper terminals and that proper PPE/safety protocol is employed.  The 
monitored currents in question are residential services of 600A or less. Is 
there harm to the CT by clamping them around a hot conductor?  The
 physics of a CT from my brief research states that, "...the secondary of a 
current transformer should not be disconnected from its burden while current is 
in the primary, as the secondary will attempt to continue driving current into 
an effective infinite impedance potentially generating high voltages and thus 
compromising operator safety."  This begs the question how I can use my DMM 
clamp meter w/o causing damage or is the italicized text related to very high 
current applications from the world of medium and high voltage equipment and 
not as pertinent to the residential and light commercial world I work in?I 
suspect this is a no-brainer answer for the seasoned professionals on the list 
and I'll be most appreciative for any proof (no matter how brief) you wish to 
share.  Ultimately we wish to minimize the need to perform power shut downs and 
interrupt client service when installing load monitoring CTs to a home but only 
wish to do so if it is part of a safe and non
 equipment-harming process.Sincerely,Sam Haraldson  SAM HARALDSON  Field 
Operations Director(406) 551-61351515 N. Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715Locally 
owned and operated since 2012
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Clamping CTs Around Live Conductors - White Paper References and/or Anecdotal Information Requested

[Blake Gleason via RE-wrenches]

Hi Sam,

The "secondary" of the CT is the side connected to the meter.  The primary
is the side that gets wrapped around the conductor or busbar on which you
are measuring current.  So yes, make sure that the secondary is connected
to its "burden" (the meter, or a shorting block) before inducing any
current in the primary.  With a split-core CT, or a handheld clamp meter
(as you noted), you can install the CT around a conductor while the
conductor is in service.  Just make sure the secondary is already
connected.  (I'm sure there is some exception for certain types of
sensitive meters, but I've never had a problem.  And yes, as you say, this
is assuming that you are using proper PPE, etc for working around live
circuits.)

Blake


On Fri, Mar 8, 2024 at 8:31 AM Sam Haraldson via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Dear Wrenches,
>
> I'm trying to determine whether or not it is acceptable to clamp
> monitoring CTs around hot conductors.  For this question please assume the
> CT wires are landed in their proper terminals and that proper PPE/safety
> protocol is employed.  The monitored currents in question are residential
> services of 600A or less. Is there harm to the CT by clamping them around a
> hot conductor?
>
> The physics of a CT from my brief research states that,* "...the
> secondary of a current transformer should not be disconnected from its
> burden while current is in the primary, as the secondary will attempt to
> continue driving current into an effective infinite impedance potentially
> generating high voltages and thus compromising operator safety."  *This begs
> the question how I can use my DMM clamp meter w/o causing damage or is the
> italicized text related to very high current applications from the world of
> medium and high voltage equipment and not as pertinent to the residential
> and light commercial world I work in?
>
> I suspect this is a no-brainer answer for the seasoned professionals on
> the list and I'll be most appreciative for any proof (no matter how brief)
> you wish to share.  Ultimately we wish to minimize the need to perform
> power shut downs and interrupt client service when installing load
> monitoring CTs to a home but only wish to do so if it is part of a safe and
> non equipment-harming process.
>
> Sincerely,
> Sam Haraldson
>
> [image: OnSite Energy]
> 
>
> SAM HARALDSON
> Field Operations Director
> (406) 551-6135
> 1515 N. Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715
> Locally owned and operated since 2012
> [image: B Corporation]
> 
> ___
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-- 

Blake Gleason, PE | Employee Owner
Director of Innovation and Technical Excellence
O: 510-845-2997 x128
C: 510-867-5878

1035 Folger Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94710
www.sunlightandpower.com
License #326203

 

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Clamping CTs Around Live Conductors - White Paper References and/or Anecdotal Information Requested

[Darryl Thayer via RE-wrenches]

I have done it many times. YES terminate the secondary first.  As an older
CT is a step up the voltage transformer and can generate thousands of
volts.  Many of new type Cats are low voltage output and are safe to work
with.

On Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 10:46 AM Jerry Shafer via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Wrenches
> Per manufacturer recommended installation procedures you must have the CT
> terminated befor the load connection can made and yes this can damage the
> CT. Depending on what you are connecting to there may also be a "short pin"
> to prevent component damage so keep that in mind when commissioning a
> logger.
> Regarding your question about hand heldsi have seen failures of cheaper
> units, l have Flukes and never had an issue with them
> Fun times
>
> On Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 8:30 AM Sam Haraldson via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> Dear Wrenches,
>>
>> I'm trying to determine whether or not it is acceptable to clamp
>> monitoring CTs around hot conductors.  For this question please assume the
>> CT wires are landed in their proper terminals and that proper PPE/safety
>> protocol is employed.  The monitored currents in question are residential
>> services of 600A or less. Is there harm to the CT by clamping them around a
>> hot conductor?
>>
>> The physics of a CT from my brief research states that,* "...the
>> secondary of a current transformer should not be disconnected from its
>> burden while current is in the primary, as the secondary will attempt to
>> continue driving current into an effective infinite impedance potentially
>> generating high voltages and thus compromising operator safety."  *This begs
>> the question how I can use my DMM clamp meter w/o causing damage or is the
>> italicized text related to very high current applications from the world of
>> medium and high voltage equipment and not as pertinent to the residential
>> and light commercial world I work in?
>>
>> I suspect this is a no-brainer answer for the seasoned professionals on
>> the list and I'll be most appreciative for any proof (no matter how brief)
>> you wish to share.  Ultimately we wish to minimize the need to perform
>> power shut downs and interrupt client service when installing load
>> monitoring CTs to a home but only wish to do so if it is part of a safe and
>> non equipment-harming process.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> Sam Haraldson
>>
>> [image: OnSite Energy]
>> 
>>
>> SAM HARALDSON
>> Field Operations Director
>> (406) 551-6135
>> 1515 N. Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715
>> Locally owned and operated since 2012
>> [image: B Corporation]
>> 
>> ___
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>
>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>>
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>>
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>>
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>> other:
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>> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Clamping CTs Around Live Conductors - White Paper References and/or Anecdotal Information Requested

[Jerry Shafer via RE-wrenches]

Wrenches
Per manufacturer recommended installation procedures you must have the CT
terminated befor the load connection can made and yes this can damage the
CT. Depending on what you are connecting to there may also be a "short pin"
to prevent component damage so keep that in mind when commissioning a
logger.
Regarding your question about hand heldsi have seen failures of cheaper
units, l have Flukes and never had an issue with them
Fun times

On Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 8:30 AM Sam Haraldson via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Dear Wrenches,
>
> I'm trying to determine whether or not it is acceptable to clamp
> monitoring CTs around hot conductors.  For this question please assume the
> CT wires are landed in their proper terminals and that proper PPE/safety
> protocol is employed.  The monitored currents in question are residential
> services of 600A or less. Is there harm to the CT by clamping them around a
> hot conductor?
>
> The physics of a CT from my brief research states that,* "...the
> secondary of a current transformer should not be disconnected from its
> burden while current is in the primary, as the secondary will attempt to
> continue driving current into an effective infinite impedance potentially
> generating high voltages and thus compromising operator safety."  *This begs
> the question how I can use my DMM clamp meter w/o causing damage or is the
> italicized text related to very high current applications from the world of
> medium and high voltage equipment and not as pertinent to the residential
> and light commercial world I work in?
>
> I suspect this is a no-brainer answer for the seasoned professionals on
> the list and I'll be most appreciative for any proof (no matter how brief)
> you wish to share.  Ultimately we wish to minimize the need to perform
> power shut downs and interrupt client service when installing load
> monitoring CTs to a home but only wish to do so if it is part of a safe and
> non equipment-harming process.
>
> Sincerely,
> Sam Haraldson
>
> [image: OnSite Energy]
> 
>
> SAM HARALDSON
> Field Operations Director
> (406) 551-6135
> 1515 N. Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715
> Locally owned and operated since 2012
> [image: B Corporation]
> 
> ___
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>
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>
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>
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[RE-wrenches] Clamping CTs Around Live Conductors - White Paper References and/or Anecdotal Information Requested

[Sam Haraldson via RE-wrenches]

Dear Wrenches,

I'm trying to determine whether or not it is acceptable to clamp monitoring
CTs around hot conductors.  For this question please assume the CT wires
are landed in their proper terminals and that proper PPE/safety protocol is
employed.  The monitored currents in question are residential services of
600A or less. Is there harm to the CT by clamping them around a hot
conductor?

The physics of a CT from my brief research states that,* "...the secondary
of a current transformer should not be disconnected from its burden while
current is in the primary, as the secondary will attempt to continue
driving current into an effective infinite impedance potentially generating
high voltages and thus compromising operator safety."  *This begs the
question how I can use my DMM clamp meter w/o causing damage or is the
italicized text related to very high current applications from the world of
medium and high voltage equipment and not as pertinent to the residential
and light commercial world I work in?

I suspect this is a no-brainer answer for the seasoned professionals on the
list and I'll be most appreciative for any proof (no matter how brief) you
wish to share.  Ultimately we wish to minimize the need to perform power
shut downs and interrupt client service when installing load monitoring CTs
to a home but only wish to do so if it is part of a safe and non
equipment-harming process.

Sincerely,
Sam Haraldson

[image: OnSite Energy]


SAM HARALDSON
Field Operations Director
(406) 551-6135
1515 N. Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715
Locally owned and operated since 2012
[image: B Corporation]

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