Best way to tell when power is restored?

[csheath]

Power just went out so I started up the generator. Last time I requested a call back when power was restored the utility company didn't call for 8 hours after I had power back on so that method is unreliable at best.

What method are some of you using?

I thought I could use a no contact indicator but the main breaker has power on the back feed side and the supply side is shielded by the interlock. Funny thing is I read no power on the generator breaker and I know it's live on both sides so reading through a breaker is not a given.

I am reluctant to try hooking up a lamp on the supply side since there is no telling when it will become live. My only choice right now is to go out and look at the smart meter every so often to see if it has a display.

 

[Scar59]

Auto transfer switch, keeps everyone safe, you and the utility linemen.

 

[natrgatr]

Check some of the transfer switch companies. I saw one from Siemens, I think, that was a stand alone alarm using a snap on CT on the main to sense for power. You get an audible alarm after a power outage when the power comes back on.

 

[Triple Jim]

The Reliance Controls Corporation THP108 POWER BACK Mains Return Alarm works well.

https://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Controls-Corporation-THP108-Return/dp/B003KREORA

It has an antenna wire that needs to be wrapped around any lead on the supply side of the main breaker, if you can get to one. It seems to use capacitive coupling, so you could probably even add an extra insulated wire stub to the input of the main breaker just to wrap the antenna around if you needed to.

 

[csheath]

Thanks for the replies. Just ordered the THP108 from HD.

 

[Triple Jim]

Just don't be near it when it alarms, it'll bust your eardrums.

 

[csheath]

Just don't be near it when it alarms, it'll bust your eardrums.

So how am I supposed to turn it off? I guess I better keep hearing protection in the house when I use it.

 

[Triple Jim]

You could keep a Kleenex in your pocket, and jam a couple balls of it in your ears when the alarm goes off.

 

[csheath]

We usually have fresh bananas in the house. I could stick a banana in each ear.

 

[rhurey]

And wrap every last inch of the detection cable around the input wire. Doesn't take much missing for it to refuse to alert.

 

[CMPPhil]

Hi
I went simple, when I put in my transfer switch I wired in a out side light socket near the generator connection on the garage where the generator lives, it is wired into the utility side of the transfer switch with a 15amp screw in fuse. When the utility power is there the light is normally on. To keep it from being on all the time it has a switch to turn off the light. So when the power goes off, throw power transfer switch, turn on utility avaliable light switch going to the blub, start generator let it warm up then throw in load breaker and the generator is suppling the power to house.

Every now an then look out the window and see if the light has come on. I've even put a plug on the utility avalible leg after the switch so I could plug in a radio tuned into some load music but never have bothered.

Cheers Phil

 

[Triple Jim]

And wrap every last inch of the detection cable around the input wire. Doesn't take much missing for it to refuse to alert.

I didn't find that to be the case, but I'm sure every installation is different. I actually extended my antenna with some RG-58 coax. There's a sensitivity adjustment inside the housing, but they don't tell you about it.

 

[DieselAddict]

I was going to say when my neighbors lights came back on.

Where I live the power company will send you a text when the ticket your outage is on is closed out. There will be an hour or two lag sometimes.

Otherwise I glance at my meter to see if the display is on.

 

[csheath]

I was going to say when my neighbors lights came back on.

Where I live the power company will send you a text when the ticket your outage is on is closed out. There will be an hour or two lag sometimes.

Otherwise I glance at my meter to see if the display is on.

Can't really see my neighbors from my house. And the call back offered by our co-op may have an 8 to 10 hour lag. When I called in today's outage the system didn't offer the call back option so it may no longer exist.

This little doodad I ordered should do the trick for me. I will get the $35 investment back in saved fuel.

 

[Light in the Dark]

I bought one of those Reliance units on Amazon a few months back... any day now I'll install it. Got my father-in-law one as well (I refurbed an 803A for him) and he has already put his in, and said it works perfectly.

 

[doghead]

A hand held tester like these, would be a simple solution if you cant see your neighbors and you don't mind checking yourself occasionally.

Simply touch it to your service cable...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUw79RJMj-g

 

[dependable]

I installed one of those Powerback alarms a while ago. Works fine, use zip ties to secure sensor wire, I did it with tape the first time and it came loose enough not to work.

 

[DieselAddict]

If any DIYers feel like they want to roll their own.

http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/jamecofavorites/non-contact-AC-voltage-detector.html

 

[csheath]

A hand held tester like these, would be a simple solution if you cant see your neighbors and you don't mind checking yourself occasionally.

Simply touch it to your service cable...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUw79RJMj-g

The main power feed is not accessible in my case. It passes into a flush mounted panel in the garage through conduit. My garage walls are finished and insulated like the rest of the house. In my original post I stated that I tried this method on the main breaker but it wouldn't work.

I will sign off with my latest selfie taking a break from not doing much.

 

[glcaines]

I went the low-tech route. I have a cabin on my property that is not serviced by my MEP003A (yet). I leave the cabin porch light on that I can barely see from my house. My EMC doesn't notify us when the power is restored, even if requested to do so. I'm using a manual transfer switch.