proper hybrid/grid tie inverter and CT wiring

[empowered]

just wanted to get some feedback on if i have my stuff wired up correctly
the way my system is wired is the following:
from my meter, main wiring going into a separate 200amp breaker box, then there was a manual transfer switch, previous owners had a generator.
so the grid 'input' to the inverter is hooked up on the home side of the 200a breaker box, using line side taps, so the inverter is not intercepting the grid power, just tapping into it. and here is where my CT clamps are installed, on the 'grid' side of the line side taps, with arrows pointing towards the 'home' side, as well as inverter side.
then my 'load' breaker 'output' from the inverter taps into the house side of the manual transfer switch.
is this wrong?

 

[timselectric]

Sounds right.
As long as the inverter is connected where the generator used to be, then it is right.

 

[empowered]

Sounds right.
As long as the inverter is connected where the generator used to be, then it is right.

not quite in the same spot, its T'd in before the manual transfer switch.

 

[empowered]

i'll take a video when i get home from work

 

[kscessnadriver]

What are you trying to measure? Sounds like the way you have it, it'll measure total in/out to the grid.

 

[empowered]

What are you trying to measure? Sounds like the way you have it, it'll measure total in/out to the grid.

i'm not trying to measure anything specific, trying to figure out if i have my wiring 'correct' as well as if my CT leads are measuring the right thing they're supposed to be, in order for the inverter to do its job properly.

 

[empowered]

i'm so confused now...

its currently exporting 5.5kw to the grid, while SA says that priority is set to utility first...


my brain is complete mush at this point, none of this makes ANY sense.

 

[timselectric]

I'll wait for the video, before commenting further.

 

[empowered]

I'll wait for the video, before commenting further.

appreciate all the input you've provided so far!

 

[empowered]

another thing i'm noticing, i'm producing 6600w from PV, but only exporting 5500 to the grid, where's the other 1100 going? my emporia vue app is showing a 360w draw on my entire main panel so thats my appliances idling. still leaves 740watts unaccounted for. dafuque

 

[timselectric]

another thing i'm noticing, i'm producing 6600w from PV, but only exporting 5500 to the grid, where's the other 1100 going? my emporia vue app is showing a 360w draw on my entire main panel so thats my appliances idling. still leaves 740watts unaccounted for. dafuque

Some of it is inverter losses and some could be measuring discrepancies.

 

[empowered]

Some of it is inverter losses and some could be measuring discrepancies.

I'm reading from posts here that inverter losses can be up to 200w, so rest must be discrepancies. Worth chasing them down or just live with it?
I'm heading home now so will have a video of my layout soon

 

[timselectric]

I'm reading from posts here that inverter losses can be up to 200w, so rest must be discrepancies. Worth chasing them down or just live with it?
I'm heading home now so will have a video of my layout soon

I would be curious about anything over a couple hundred watts, that are un counted for.

 

[empowered]

I would be curious about anything over a couple hundred watts, that are un counted for.

How would you go about tracking down the missing watts?

 

[timselectric]

Take readings of the voltage and amperage going in and out of the inverter. To compare to what is reported.

 

[empowered]

ok here's the video!

 

[timselectric]

I Don't like the inverter output tapped into the transfer switch.
It allows multiple sources to be connected together.
It should be landed on the second position (generator) in the transfer switch.
The purpose of the transfer switch is to select between sources and not allow the sources to be connected together.

The CT's are located in the right place.
I can't say if the arrow is right, because every inverter is different.

 

[empowered]

I Don't like the inverter output tapped into the transfer switch.
It allows multiple sources to be connected together.
It should be landed on the second position (generator) in the transfer switch.
The purpose of the transfer switch to select between sources and not allow the sources to be connected together.

The CT's are located in the right place.
I can't say if the arrow is right, because every inverter is different.

but if i have it on the gen side of the switch, i cant backfeed excess PV into the grid, right? at that point i'm relying solely on pv/battery to power the house.

lets take safety concerns aside for a second, look at it from the functionality point of view, is there anything about how i'm wired currently that wouldnt allow the inverter to function correctly?
and CT wise, what is their purpose, what are they supposed to do?

 

[timselectric]

but if i have it on the gen side of the switch, i cant backfeed excess PV into the grid, right? at that point i'm relying solely on pv/battery to power the house.

Exporting to the grid, happens through the bidirectional grid connection on the inverter.

and CT wise, what is their purpose, what are they supposed to do?

It measures what is coming and going to and from the grid.

 

[timselectric]

lets take safety concerns aside for a second

Never

 

[empowered]

Exporting to the grid, happens through the bidirectional grid connection on the inverter.

It measures what is coming and going to and from the grid.

oh wait, you're saying the "LOAD" connection on the inverter should go to the bottom position in the transfer switch?

RE: CT's, something is just way off on the CT's, because right this moment, the app from my power company, that reads from the meter, is showing i'm feeding it 6.7kw, while SA is saying i'm producing 8kw pv, and showing total of 7kw on the load/grid side combined.

i really dont even understand whats the point of having 2 input/output breakers vs one

 

[empowered]

Never

i hope you know what i mean, i'm not trying to neglect safety, just meant from a functional/theoretical point of view, lol

 

[timselectric]

oh wait, you're saying the "LOAD" connection on the inverter should go to the bottom position in the transfer switch?

Yes, it's only purpose is to feed the loads (house).

 

[timselectric]

Looking at the video again. I have to ask, what size wire did you use?
It looks awful small.

 

[empowered]

Looking at the video again. I have to ask, what size wire did you use?
It looks awful small.

where?