We have a manual changeover switch to allow running the whole house from solar / battery when the mains is down. This works great except there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to check when the mains comes back so I can change back.
Is there an easy way to check for mains, or is it just a case of checking the distributor power cut website / if the neighbors have got their power back?
Omission
Had the same thought. Only had the system since start of April but we actually had a power cut and the manual eps worked! I think the cut lasted for about two minutes but as it was daytime it was hard to know when it came back and it tripped a couple of rcds in the auxiliary box when it was switched back to the grid. No idea why?
Omission Get a lightbulb and switch, or a switch with integrated light like a switched spur switch wired onto the main supply side of the manual changeover switch?
SimonClarke
get one of these and hold it near the incoming tails, it shrieks when there is mains voltage.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/kewtech-ac-non-contact-voltage-detector-pen-600v-ac/2566j
Would a smart meter show that the mains is off?
E.g. a message on the screen or an indicator?
That said I think I like the idea of a light bulb connected to the mains side the best, saves going outside all the time.
There's also check the neighbours houses, but if only one phase is affected it might be one in three houses off grid. So you'd have to work out who is on the same phase as you and hope they have some lights on that you can see. 🤣
geoffreycoan I thought about that, but I hoped there may be a more elegant solution
Omission We have a manual changeover switch to allow running the whole house from solar / battery when the mains is down. This works great except there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to check when the mains comes back so I can change back.
Is there an easy way to check for mains, or is it just a case of checking the distributor power cut website / if the neighbors have got their power back?
And you dont exceed the recommended inverter EPS draw?
https://kb.givenergy.cloud/article.php?id=12&oid=1
I have whole house EPS (manual change over). I simulated a grid failure. On the GE app powerflow diagram my grid symbol went grey with a diagonal line through it. When I simulated a power return the diagonal line disappeared.
This is only an observation so would be interested if others get the same and whether it's something that can be relied upon as an Indicator
I suppose that is a good point. The CT clamp & energy meter connected to the incoming mains tails will know the grid is down.
My system is just EPS sockets rather than full house.
My notifications in the web portal show "Electricity Meter Com Fail" because the energy meter itself had no power whilst the grid is down.
However I assume an energy meter that has power would read 0V, 0Hz etc?
So keeping an eye on the web portal might be the answer. Might take 5 minutes for it to update the status, but good enough?
I have posted schematics of how mine is wired.
EPS output permanently feeds essential distribution board all the time (fridge, freezer, router sockets, lounge power circuit, gas boiler controls and smoke heads - total load circa 500w).
Rest of house from house non-essential distribution board.
On grid failure, everything goes off, and then EPS circuits come back on after a few seconds.
When grid comes back on, rest of house comes back on
Waterski99 Thats interesting, if the Inverter knows when the grid is down maybe I can just keep an eye on the app.
TX200 I can see that notification, So that is something to watch for.
SteveCook The way our house is wired it would be too difficult to split the backup loads off from the non-essential and the Don't run without mains loads (Like electric showers etc) I will look to get an EPS socket near the Inverter to run the chest freezer so at least that is always covered.
Thanks all for the helpful suggestions
If the inverter can detect mains up/down I wonder if this is something that could be made more prominent, maybe in that 3rd party app?
My EM115 is connected to the mains where power comes into the house and glows green.
Here it is with mains on and cupboard light off
When grid fails it goes dark.
Photo not uploading , will keep trying
I too have a whole house manual changeover.
My solution to knowing when mains is restored was to ask the electrician to install an emergency light on the grid side that is not supplied in EPS situation.
In a powercut the emergency light is potentially useful for making the manual changeover. It will go out again once mains restored. However he installed it as part of the whole home - so goes out with EPS on and objective not quite achieved!!
But still useful to have the emergency light pre-changeover.
Others might have a view whether my proposed solution was practical as I could not be bothered to get electrician back.
The other way you will know is when the neighbours stop calling to check why you have power!!
Next time we get a cut I’ll pay attention to see what goes out and what stays on. The last and only time only lasted 2 minutes at the most so too short to notice much. Hope we get a few so I can gloat…