ECN Forum
Posted By: Chris Paul Monitoring KWH usage - 03/29/02 11:27 PM
Hello everyone,
I was wondering if anyone had any idea on where I can get a CT for a 3000 amp service. I'm trying to monitor the KWH consumption for my facility and the largest CT I can find is a 2000 amp. Maybe if no one knows of any CTs that big they can give me some info on how I might accomplish my goal. These pulse inputs are going back to a monitoring device called a gateway which can be accessed anywhere through a modem. Thanks for any help.
Chris
Posted By: Redsy Re: Monitoring KWH usage - 03/30/02 02:04 AM
Could you monitor one of a parallel group and have your software multiply the results by the number of conductors?
(Forgive my ignorance)
Posted By: JBD Re: Monitoring KWH usage - 04/01/02 02:39 PM
Check out a company called Flex-Core at http://www.flex-core.com. They make all sorts of different CTs, including split core styles for mounting on existing cables.

Square D also lists window style units up to 6000:5 ratios and split cores to 5000:5
Posted By: bgautreau Re: Monitoring KWH usage - 04/02/02 03:15 PM
Chris,

Most CT's will have a "rating factor" (RF). For instance, if the CT was a 2000 amp unit with an RF of 2, then the thermal capability would be 4000 amps.

Because of this, it is not always necessary to "match" the CT size to the service size.

Feel free to email me if you have more questions.

Bob
Posted By: JBD Re: Monitoring KWH usage - 04/03/02 03:37 PM
While bgautreau is technically correct concerning "rating factor", you must still take into account your transformer ratio.

In your case a 2000:5 CT is a 400 to 1 ratio, so when it is used on a 4000A service it will provide an output of 10A. Your measuring equipment may not be able to deal with this large of a value.

The rating factor should only be used to allow for momentary overcurrents (i.e. motor start-up)which do not need to be be measured accurately
Posted By: HotLine1 Re: Monitoring KWH usage - 04/04/02 01:26 AM
Try National Meter Industries www.national-meter.com
or 1-800-325-6674
They have any ct's and are very helpful

John
Posted By: Bill Addiss Re: Monitoring KWH usage - 04/04/02 01:42 AM
Chris,

You can ask the "Meter Guy"
at: http://www.themeterguy.com/splash.htm

Bill
Posted By: Bjarney Re: Monitoring KWH usage - 04/15/02 04:09 AM
They're around but the freight might be stiff.
http://www.geindustrial.com/cwc/products?pnlid=5&id=insttran

Assuming window CTs with big enough windows, how about a pair of 1500:5 units in series?
© ECN Electrical Forums