50A vs. 80A CTs

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nathanw
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Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 3:01 pm

50A vs. 80A CTs

Post by nathanw » Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:56 am

I'm looking at buying a GEM system (replacing a TED 5000; I want circuit monitoring and I'm tired of fighting power-line communication issues). I see that the micro-40 CTs seem to be gone (and don't sound likely to come back), and the default substitution is micro-80s. But looking at the specs, the micro-50s look like they're smaller and more accurate than the micro-80s. Assuming I'm willing to pay the cost difference, is there any reason for me not to get all micro-50s? (Plus the one clamp-100 for the utility feed).

I have one pair of 30A breakers (air conditioner), but everything else is 15A or 20A.
Teken
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Re: 50A vs. 80A CTs

Post by Teken » Fri Apr 28, 2017 11:09 am

Micro 40's are just out of stock but do expect them to come back. Many of the new users have opted to go with the Micro 50's as they offer higher accuracy / tolerances anyways.

RE: Utility Feed -> If your service is 100 amps you will require two Split 100 CT's to measure both sides of the split single phase electrical system in your home.
Teken . . .

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nathanw
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Re: 50A vs. 80A CTs

Post by nathanw » Fri Apr 28, 2017 11:20 am

Yes, sorry, I should have been clear that I meant a pair of the split-100s, as the various combo packages include.

I hadn't noticed that the micro-40s were also in the "3%, average 1%" accuracy range like the micro-80s. I think that seals the deal, and I can go with a bucket of micro-50s.
Teken
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Re: 50A vs. 80A CTs

Post by Teken » Fri Apr 28, 2017 11:29 am

nathanw wrote:Yes, sorry, I should have been clear that I meant a pair of the split-100s, as the various combo packages include.

I hadn't noticed that the micro-40s were also in the "3%, average 1%" accuracy range like the micro-80s. I think that seals the deal, and I can go with a bucket of micro-50s.
This is going to be a one time purchase so the added costs will soon be forgotten in a few months. The upside is the Micro 50's will track well to the Split 100's when you try to add up all the individual channels.

Keeping in mind there will be slight variances in wattage but there are several fine tuning methods you can perform to eek out that few percentages. You can review the details in my install thread under my signature for that insight.
Teken . . .

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ben
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Re: 50A vs. 80A CTs

Post by ben » Fri Apr 28, 2017 11:33 am

nathanw wrote:I'm looking at buying a GEM system (replacing a TED 5000; I want circuit monitoring and I'm tired of fighting power-line communication issues). I see that the micro-40 CTs seem to be gone (and don't sound likely to come back), and the default substitution is micro-80s. But looking at the specs, the micro-50s look like they're smaller and more accurate than the micro-80s. Assuming I'm willing to pay the cost difference, is there any reason for me not to get all micro-50s? (Plus the one clamp-100 for the utility feed).

I have one pair of 30A breakers (air conditioner), but everything else is 15A or 20A.

Yeah, Micro-50s are 1% across the board. If the price difference/size isn't an issue, they're the way to go in terms of accuracy.

We're definitely restocking Micro-40s as it's our smallest, most cost effective CT. The accuracy comes into play at the low/high end scales of the CT amperage handling.
Ben
Brultech Research Inc.
E: ben(at)brultech.com
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