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Posted by Pete C. on January 10, 2008, 10:42 pm
Please log in for more thread options Neon John wrote:
>
> I have two neon pilot lights, one for each leg, connected directly to the
incoming
> terminals of my main breaker. Simple and direct. They're wired with very
light
> gauge wire. If something in the pilot light itself ever faults then the wires
act as
> fuses. Since everything is enclosed securely inside the panel, no fire hazard.
I did almost the identical thing, I just put the indicators in a metal
box connected with an offset nipple instead of in the panel itself. The
22ga wire of the pilot lights should vaporize in milliseconds should a
fault develop and again, all enclosed in metal so no hazard.
>
> The only complication is making the connection to the incoming main. I have
the
> proper equipment to work it hot so that's what I did. I just opened the main
to
> remove any load, donned my hot gloves and loosened the cable clamps on the main
> breaker. I slid the small wire under the clamps and tightened them back down.
If
> you don't have hot gloves then you might want to pull the meter.
Yep, had the meter pulled. Would do it hot if I had to, after all it's
only 120V and doesn't exactly require hot sticks, but still better to do
it cold.
>
> The power meter is another option. If it is the old electro-mechanical type
then you
> can hear the hum from the potential coil if you put your ear up to the glass.
If it
> is the new electronic type then if the display is visible then the power is
on. The
> one exception to this is a fairly rare critter that uses electronic sensing but
> drives an odometer-style mechanical dial. No hum from those.
>
> Many meters, particularly the new self-readers, also contain pilot lights. If
your
> does then that's a perfect indicator.
And go out in the crappy weather to check? Hell no! Going out to fire up
the generator in the crappy weather is enough thank you...
>
> We have a power outage here at least once a week. Even when I don't fire off
the
> generator, I open the main breaker because surges during power restoration are
a way
> of life up here in the mountains. The neon lights let me know when the power
is back
> on and stable.
For some reason 2-3 second outages have become a regular feature here a
couple times a week. Fortunately the UPSes take care of the important
stuff.
>
>
> >Hello
> > I am looking for an easy and legal way to know if the power has been
> >restored to my service panel after we have a power outage , we usually have
> >several brown outs etc. before the power is lost completely , during the
> >morning hours we can see the neighbors and street lights , after the sun
> >comes up , the only way I can know if we have line power is to turn on the
> >Main Breaker and see , in this area it's bad news to leave main on and a lot
> >of work to turn off all the 20 amp. breakers every time we loose power , any
> >idea would be appreciated .
> >Thanks
> >Phil
> >
> --
> John De Armond
> See my website for my current email address
> http://www.neon-john.com
> http://www.johndearmond.com <-- best little blog on the net!
> Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
> If we aren't supposed to eat animals, why are they made with meat?
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