Energy Matters Forums

[Gordon-Loomberah]

Cost would no doubt depend on the particular installation, ease of access, switchboard space etc.
It's generally just a matter of installing the CTs, wifi transmitter/power supply, and the display unit.

https://www.energymatters.com.au/compon ... y-monitor/

[Privatteer]

Something I came across while searching for some other info.
I've no idea of the accuracy ofthis article being based in WA and it being a couple years old.

I do know that I have worked on at least one house with 3 phase that only had the inverter on blue phase so that they go the full 47c rebate for every kW they exported.

[engineern6719]

I came accross that article when first looking at solar.How would you know how your system is wired.Have tried to find a manual on the Elster A1100 meter to try and understand how it’s wired plus internals.

[davidg]

Elster A1100 meter to try and understand how it’s wired plus internals.

It's what known as a "polyphase" meter.

Which means it does not matter if all Kwh's are exported on one phase and the other 2 are importing, the meter nets off the total export against the total import, if there is more total export than total import then you get credits if you import more than the total export then you get charged it's really is that simple.

All the cute attempts to do better do not the slightest bit of difference.

[engineern6719]

Household energy monitors ... also makes obvious any problems with the PV system.

I came across the Efergy Engage hub online energy monitor available from Reduction Revolution Sydney and would appreciate any thoughts on whether this would be suitable for my purpose.

[australsolarier]

engineern6719
you might have to do a bit homework yourself. like for example google. check an online manual or read up on the specifications.
there are millions of youtube videos of diy solar installations.

all the best
urs

[engineern6719]

[Moderator - there is no need to continually quote entire previous posts, please read the forum guidelines]


I am an electrician of sought ( retired LAME avionics) and had a look at the back of the meter board today.I can see where the three phase comes in through the meter to the load but with the solar I can see where it comes into the board to it’s own isolater cb but couldn’t see where it connects into the system.What bus would the solar be normally be connected?I had the impression that it was connected directly to the Elster A1100.Seeing it’s not how does the meter calculate whether to export energy or not?

[Gordon-Loomberah]

...how does the meter calculate whether to export energy or not?

It doesn't. It just measures what is imported or exported, which happens automatically.

[Privatteer]

couldn’t see where it connects into the system.

The other side of the circuit breaker has to be connected to one of the supply phases otherwise the inverter would shutdown.

[davidg]

I had the impression that it was connected directly to the Elster A1100.

To expand on Gordon's comment and I am sparky and have more than enough solar PV systems.

Std LV electrical systems are not done the same way as systems in aircraft and I've designed á couple of those for experimental aircraft the requirements are different.

A poor but simple explanation, the Solar main CB load side is connected to the load side of main switch "bus" does not matter where in the load side but it will be or the system would not work.