I thought others might find this information useful.
I was able to install a Sense unit on this 400a (well technically “class 320” meter whatever that means) this weekend.
Now technically there are a few challenges with this installation:
- You need power company cooperation since these CT’s are in the locked side of the meter can
- The Sense CT’s are technically only rated for 200a - it is unclear how things will look when current goes over 200a - this will be rare, but on this install it certainly could happen
- The Sense unit is probably not technically rated for installation in an outdoor cabinet - we will see how durable it is temperature wise - while this is a nice tight enclosure, it could get hot in the summer and cold/humid in the winter
For those that might find it useful: The Sense CT’s fit just fine over the 350 MCM Aluminum cable that the power company used to feed the meter pan.
Note that we did use a snap in plastic bushing between the two sides of the meter can so as to not abrade the CT wires.
It is working perfectly so far!
I ran a ton of load last night as a test. I could have fired up another 40kw worth of furnace heat strips, but I figured that would be really mean to the power companies 25kVA transformer.
I would love it if Sense made some CT’s that were actually rated for 400a, and perhaps options for larger CT’s as well such that you might be able to get multiple cables through the same set of CT’s in some installation situations.
Also, this installation might be able to be accomplished (without having to get into the power company side of the meter pan) by using two sets of 200a CT’s - perhaps one plugged into the main CT jack on the Sense, and the other plugged into the Solar CT jack on the Sense? Not sure if the two jacks are calibrated differently or anything, but that could be a slick way to support 400a services in some situations.
Oh, and we did clean up the install before we were done, I just wanted to show the part where the meter can was open.