Wiring the CTs into an elecrical panel

[ericvsmith]

[Apologies if this appears twice. I thought I posted it, but now I can't find it.]

I'm in the US. 200A split phase residential electrical panel (no sub-panel). How do you get the CT wires from the main board, sitting outside of the panel, into the electrical panel? Would it be something like an Arlington Industries strain relief cord connector? How many CTs can you fit through one connector? I think the 1/8" jack would be the limiting factor, although I'm willing to cut those off, run the wiring, then solder them back on. Or maybe I'd put different terminal connectors on the Circuitsetup board and skip the 1/8" jacks altogether.

Or do you just snake the wires in between the panel and the cover? I can't say I love that idea.

Thanks in advance!

[kaijk]

Maybe you found a solution since February. Anyway, that solution will likely depend on your panel configuration, whether flush-mount or surface-mount, and if you have access behind the panel.

For monitoring the utility mains in my surface-mount panel on the garage, I ran two 200A CT leads through a rear panel knockout, then through the insulation and drywall into the garage, and mounted the boards in their Circuitsetup enclosure to the inside garage wall. For AC power, I used a 15A double breaker wired to a two gang 120V box in the garage, again wired behind the panel, each phase wired to its own device with separate neutrals and grounds, but disconnected together by the breaker. Then, a separate AC wall wart for each panel phase.

Frankly, I wouldn't bother with phase specific power sources again. Mine are pretty well balanced and there is a BIG utility managing voltage ahead of my panel.

For the sub-panel, again flush mount, I had access behind the panel under the house and did the same.

I have the parts, but I have not installed circuit-level CTs on the main panel. Its quite full. I'm considering for 15/20A circuits to install a weathertight box outside next to the main panel and use WAGO Lever connectors to loop the leads into the external box with the CTs and back to the breakers. The CT leads then go through the wall into the garage. I don't have room in the panel for a bunch of even small CTs.