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Forum Index : Solar : 3 Phase Energy Monitors.
| Author | Message | ||||
| Phil23 Guru  Joined: 27/03/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1664 |
Just wondering about 3 phase energy meters and whether they could be treated as 3 channel meters on single phase. Some have external CT's while others loop Active thru the device. Get the impression they should work, particularly the CT ones, as long as the fact that the 3 CT's being phase sync'd is not an issue. Presume some phase/PF readings might be wrong but basic load per phase should be ok???? One with CT's.  One with Direct Connection.  Phil. |
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Madness Guru Joined: 08/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2498 |
I have a single phase version on its way that is the same brand with modbus like the bottom one above. You would be able to get current and voltage reading for each phase, if the meter does not like it all being the same phase you could do what you want with the data on a computer. I have ordered a single phase one to work in with my Zeversolar GTI's (via Zevercom device), it will even allow controlling the GTI's export. I will set it up so the inverter/batteries are the grid, I can then add multiple GTI's with as many panels as I want and always be able to keep the back feed via the inverter to level that the inverter is okay with. At least that is what the manuals tell me it will do. There are only 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary, and those who don't. |
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| Phil23 Guru Joined: 27/03/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1664 |
I've got 2 of that exact model sitting on the bench, no progress yet, but only had them a week. Did you find the Modbus Protocol document, or aren't you planning on implementing that? My intention is to monitor it with a Micromite, with a Wifi connection back to my PC's. Found the Protocol Document here. Cheers. Edit.... Missed the "via Zevercom device". (becoming guilty of a crime I accuse others of. NOT READING). Lol. |
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| Phil23 Guru Joined: 27/03/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1664 |
Just decided to have a look at the manuals for these. It appears that they may be able to be configured for single phase. I get the impression that would mean monitoring 3 separate circuits. Manual is a bit washy, but mentions it on Page 10, "to select the required system option: 1P2(W), 3P33P33P3(W) ,3P43P43P4(W)". If it is the case & it can monitor 3 individual circuits, it would make a great data logging device in CT form, when combined with a Micro. Phil. Edit, With these CT's, not the one above.  |
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| Madness Guru Joined: 08/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2498 |
They don't give away much, who knows what the software in it will do. Three of these would be the safer way to go. There are only 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary, and those who don't. |
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| Phil23 Guru Joined: 27/03/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1664 |
Yeah, Guaranteed to work. Appeal in the other is that when I can request a big chunk of data to get all live readings (As I'm doing with the SDM220's), but the response returned has 0's in every 4 out of six bytes, that's where the other phases data belongs. With 14 circuits leaving my meter box, a single device with 3 CT's would be a nice easy option to log some data 3 circuits at a time. Might search a bit more & see if it's worth taking a punt. $150 punt though for maybe one like this. Phil. |
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| Madness Guru Joined: 08/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2498 |
Have you considered building your own meters? Plenty of info on the net about that. There are only 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary, and those who don't. |
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| Phil23 Guru Joined: 27/03/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1664 |
Too hard/time consuming to give much thought to. It would be another addition to all my Work-in-progress projects..... This gives a few hints that the 3 phase meters can operate as 3x Single Phase. SDM630CT-2C 5A CT Operated Multi Channel Multi Function Power Analyser With RS485 Communication Trouble is their descriptions are not very good. This One, is another variation of the 630, that reads a bit like it can monitor 3 single phase circuits as well. Phil. |
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Revlac Guru Joined: 31/12/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1023 |
Have been looking at some of these energy meters myself, and the prices do vary quite a bit depending on specification's. I am after one to hook up to the 250KVA Genny just so I can see the load it is running and not overload it, I don't have a need for any data logging but most of them have it to some extent. This one looks neat and they sell the CT's for it as well, there is some comments about the communications (RS-485 MODBUS) not been correct? But that could well be down to the end user. Like to see what you end up with.  Cheers Aaron Off The Grid |
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| Madness Guru Joined: 08/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2498 |
250KVA WTF would overload that Aaron>?  There are only 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary, and those who don't. |
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| Revlac Guru Joined: 31/12/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1023 |
I will have to start a new topic on that when I have more time to work on the thing, Have some rather large electric compressors.  Cheers Aaron Off The Grid |
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| Phil23 Guru Joined: 27/03/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1664 |
Some of the Eastron meters should be able to cope. They have CT's rated up to 5000A according to their Site. Should just be a matter of matching the CT's to a compatible meter. Phil. |
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