Can the Gen2 Vue be installed on a breaker larger than 15A?

[Emporia Support]

Yes, you can use a breaker larger than 15A to power the Gen 2 Vue.

If you are going to tap into an existing breaker, the short black 14 gauge wire we supply in our accessories kit is only rated for 15A. If you choose to power the Gen 2 Vue with a larger amperage breaker you will need to use the appropriate gauge wire for the tap.

If the breaker is unoccupied then there is no need to use the wiretaps included with the installation kit, the Vue’s wire harness can be installed directly into the unoccupied breaker.

[7_2kW_in_Mesa_AZ]

The vendors response is through and complete, I just wanted to add I am using 2 20A (unoccupied) as I already had them in my panel.

Do not use a tandem or two pole breaker.

[grunthos503]

Do not use a tandem or two pole breaker.

Why not?  Doesn’t it need to go into each phase, and isn’t that what a tandem breaker provides?

[jstjohnz]

A 2=pole breaker is fine, but a breaker that fits two breakers into a single space won’t work because both breakers would be on the same power leg.

[Emporia Support]

Please find the below illustration showing the different phases (L1 & L2 or ‘A’ & ‘B’) of a typical North American Panel.   The Gen 2 Vue should have the black and red wires terminated on different phases.

[electroman00]

North American Panels we color…

A = Black

B = Red

Please don’t mislead a home owner…we have more then enough problems with them being mislead these days!

Thanks

[emporiacs]

Yes our colors are to highlight the phases of a panel and shouldn’t be used for anything other than installing our sensors.

[yyzguy]

Is their a way to sync the inverter to the grid so they are locked into the same phase?

[NavyLCDR]

Why can’t you use a two pole breaker? It supplies both phases.

[emporiacs]

Hi,

NavyLCDR,

You can certainly use a 2-pole breaker. If it is larger than 20amps please use the correct gauge of wire to hook into.
Tandem breakers are on the same phase so we will only capture voltage from that phase.

[emporiacs]

We do not recommend hooking into a breaker larger than 20 amps.

Correction (02/08/24): We recommend using the bridge wire we send only if you are going to do pigtail hook-up into a 15A Breaker, for breakers larger than that, please use the correct wire gauge

 

• This reply was modified 9 months, 4 weeks ago by emporiacs.

[daklein]

If there are really no 15 breakers available, the monitor could be wired with an inline AC fuse from a larger breaker.  For example, Bussmann Fuse Holder BP/HMK-RP.   With an AC rated fuse of 2 to 5 amps is more than needed to power the monitor and shouldn’t affect the voltage measurement.   But certainly, the easiest is to 15a existing breakers.

[scottymacatbrac]

Emporia staff says, “We do not recommend <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>hooking into</span> a breaker larger than 20 amps.” Emphasis added.

I’d like to clarify what “hooking into” means in this context. I take that to mean “tapping in” to a used breaker.

I’d like to know if it’s okay to use the put the red and black wires directly into an unused two-pole 40A breaker.

 

[emporiacs]

Thank you for your details and questions. The statement we previously replied with “We do not recommend hooking into a breaker larger than 20 amps.” was erroneous. We’ve updated it to “we do not recommend hooking into a breaker larger than 15A with the included bridge wire.”

You can use a breaker larger (or smaller) than 15A to power the Gen 2 Vue Energy Monitor. If you are going to tap into an occupied breaker larger than 15A, then the short black 14 gauge wire we supply in our accessories kit should not be used (it is only rated for 15A) and you will need to use the appropriate gauge wire for the tap. If the breaker is unoccupied then there is no need to use the wiretaps as you can install the wire directly into the breaker.

More information: https://help.emporiaenergy.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408885176855-Wire-Harness-Breakers-larger-than-15-Amps

Now, for your first question: Yes, by “hooking into” we meant what you’re referring to (and as we’ve referred to above) as “tapping into.” We’re saying “hook into / tap into” mean the same thing because we’re just talking about the mechanical connection of a wire somewhere with those terms. “Tie-in” is another word you might see us use.

(We understand the confusion: that connecting the Vue within a pigtail may seem more akin to “tapping into” whereas connecting directly to a breaker may seem more akin to “hooking up.”)

Next, some additional context here for your next question about what’s okay to do with the red and black wires:

To hook the wire harness into a breaker (a.k.a what we might also say as “tap into” here) means to physically connect the wires into the breaker, inside the breaker, literally. You open the breaker slot and put the black wire from the wire harness there, and close it, making sure it’s properly attached.

If the breaker is occupied you need to pigtail, and that’s when you need the bridge wire we include. If it’s larger than 15A you’ll need to source an appropriate gauge of wire to meet the higher needs.

Additionally, if you have an empty dual pole 40A breaker to terminate the wire harness, excellent! And same as before, if need to pigtail you will need the correct wire gauge for the bridge wire which will not be the one included with your Vue.

If you have any other questions let us know and we’re happy to help.

 

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