Connecting to the house.

[wellusee]

Now that I have my wind turbine complete and all systems working fine.

There is now the problem of connecting to the house. Is there some sort of switch that will automatically turn off the power company when my inverter is on?

Paddy.

[pyrocasto]

Its been a while since I've been around the electric aspect but people often make a switch and do it manually. One breaker to disconnect the grid from the house and another to connect the inverter in. seen some tied together to turn one off and one on at the same time, so there's no accidents.

If you don't intend to power the whole house at all times with the mill, figure which breakers you can. Disconect them from the rest of the house and wire those to the inverter.

[Hilltopgrange]

I use a switch very similar to this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BREMAS-20-Amp-4-Pole-Panel-Mount-Change-Over-Cam-Switch_W0QQitemZ170393706635Q
QcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET?hash=item27ac41a08b

I have it set up that position 1 is the grid position 0 is off and 2 is inverter output it is not automatic but works well.

Russell

[tanner0441]

HI

I use a 30A relay as a change over.  The moving contacts go to the house, the normally closed contacts go to the grid. The normally open contacts go to the inverter, the armature winding go to the inverter, when the inverter is on it pulls the contactor in and connects the house to it.  In the event of the battery going down or the inverter failing the system drops to the grid automaticaly. You have to switch the live (hot) and neutral conductors to make sure there is no chance of the inverter feeding the grid.  This would most likely destroy the inverter but it makes sure your not back feeding up some poor electrical engineers fingers.....

Hope this helps, also make sure your relay, cable type and size is suitable for the voltage and power.

Brian.

[wellusee]

 Is 20amp enough for the house?

P.

[Hilltopgrange]

The switch I use although similar to this one is rated for 80A at 230v I ment the type of switch as an example, you can get them in various sizes and ratingsto suit your needs .

Russell

[TomW]

As a ferinstance on what you may see around a salvage or surplus yard:

This puppy is rated for 60 amps and 600 volts 3 phase manual. Retail around $500 or more new. Got it used for $50. Don't need it yet but I will one day. 16 inches square and about 6 inches deep.

I think it would do what you want manually but may be overkill on common house circuits.

Tom

[tanner0441]

Hi

Is 20 amp enough?

What's the output of your inverter?  Watts divided by Volts = Amps........

Is the relay or switch rated for the voltage? If it's a relay does it have an AC armature?

If you don't understand these questions, don't go DIY and get someone qualified, may cost you a bit of money, but it wont cost you your house........

Brian.

[wellusee]

Thanks Brian the inverter is 3000w

P.

[wellusee]

 Have the idea now, Youno I could almost make one loke that!

P.

[windspeed]

What did you use for a dumpload

Windspeed