What is exaclty is the “Balance” value telling me?

[neilfoskey@gmail.com]

Hello, I have searched all around and can not locate any info . I am sure I am missing it so please excuse this post if it has been covered.

 

Also , sorry to post a question in this forum but the support forum does not accept new posts.

 

Thanks

neil

[djwakelee]

The balance is the power consumed by all the circuits not monitored by CT clamps.  For example, if you have the Vue2 bundle with 16  CT clamps and your electrical panel has 24 circuits, the balance would be the power of those unmonitored circuits (24-16=8 circuits in this example).

[kvblakely]

Actually, the answer above doesn’t seem to work with my numbers. I only have 15 circuits, so if the balance was unmonitored circuits, then my balance would always read 0.

By analyzing my actual numbers, it appears the “Balance” should really be titled “Total Production”. If you add “Total Usage” and “Net Production” together you get “Balance”. If your total usage was 2000 and your net production was 3000 that means your total production (Balance) is 5000.

For me, the label “Balance” is not accurate which is why there is so much confusion.

Here are a couple of screen grabs from my actual setup. Keep in mind, I have NO unmonitored circuits.

[djwakelee]

With your balance being green (and not blue), that indicates that you have unexpected production of 3.268 kW.  Your net is also green, indicating you have 1.897kW going back to the utility.  So it appears you have some un-monitored solar generation in the system.  Or one or both of your mains clamps are backwards (assuming this is a US 240/120V system).

[kvblakely]

The main clamps are correct. I’m not sure what you mean by “unexpected solar”. If I check my solar output (from my inverter app) it reads exactly what the “Balance” reads… so for me balance=total solar production. If you take the “Total Usage” and you subtract it from the “Balance” you get “Net Production”.

Where exactly would “expected” solar show anyway.

 

• This reply was modified 3 years, 3 months ago by kvblakely.

[djwakelee]

If you don’t have an Emporia Vue 2 circuit clamp on the solar, it will be an unmonitored circuit and behave as you are seeing.  The inverter and Emporia don’t speak to each other, so you need a clamp for the Vue 2 to know what your solar is generating.  From your screen shots, it doesn’t look like you have that?

As mentioned on the other thread, a photo of setup would be helpful since there are a few ways solar can be wired (and monitored).

[djwakelee]

Also, you may want to check the Solar Supplement guide.  It shows the two ways the solar is typically connected – and monitored with clamps…

https://www.emporiaenergy.com/Gen%202%20Solar%20Supplement.pdf

[kvblakely]

Thanks, you are correct. I do not have CTs on my solar inputs. I did not see that on any of the install instructions or videos I watched. It does actually seem to give me accurate information since it’s measuring the mains in both directions. Unfortunately, I don’t have any unused CTs, right now. May be able to remove a low-use circuit from the sampling and steal the CT.

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