Arthur
Honorary Master
Anyone know where I can get a buzzer that sounds when mains power fails? Ideally a device that beeps/buzzes when power is off, and stops beeping/buzzing when power is restored.
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Mains power loss buzzer/alarm?
- Thread starter Arthur
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Albereth
Honorary Master
The alarm companies (Chubb, ADT etc) sell voltage drop detectors.
I could have spend thousands having one put in my UPS or a few rand having one connected to the mains. And we had it connected to the alarm panel so it could be turned off from that point.
I could have spend thousands having one put in my UPS or a few rand having one connected to the mains. And we had it connected to the alarm panel so it could be turned off from that point.
F
Fudzy
Guest
Like a circuit breaker with audible feedback or something that sits outside of the db?
Nope, when power fails there's no power to operate the audible buzzer.
Archer, I'm guessing you're looking for something to compliment your manual generator at home.
What I've devised at work is:
5A Circuit Breaker on the Live side of the main CB (client side of the meter) with a 220v Buzzer attached to it.
- When power goes out, I switch ON the circuit breaker (which will have no power on it)
- When mains is back on, but I'm running on generator power (mains CB is off) the buzzer will sound to let me know mains is back.
- When genset is switched off and I'm running on mains, I switch the CB back OFF to stop the buzzer.
Is that what you're looking for?
Arthur
Honorary Master
I have a 12kW MLT Drives PowerStar system before the main DB, so the entire property is on UPS. When the mains supply fails the system automatically switches over to battery + inverter. Currently (NPI) I have no way of knowing when there's a power cut, as the switchover is seamless - if the power cut lasts a longish time then my first indication is when the UPS trips and all power ends, which defeats the purpose of having a UPS in the first place. No-one here knows how to wire in my 6kVA electric-start Honda generator's auto-start, so I need an alarm to tell when the mains power fails so I can isolate high-load appliances and manually start the generator. I actually do have 220VAC available from the DC array + inverter to power a buzzer/alarm/light.
First prize is to wire in the genset's auto-start, but that's beyond my expertise as Honda won't release the wiring diagram.
What I need is:
MAINS POWER OFF ~ Buzzer sounds
MAINS POWER ON ~ Buzzer off
First prize is to wire in the genset's auto-start, but that's beyond my expertise as Honda won't release the wiring diagram.
What I need is:
MAINS POWER OFF ~ Buzzer sounds
MAINS POWER ON ~ Buzzer off
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Just wire in a relay (or 1ph contactor*) that is powered from your Mains (before it goes through your UPS). Now you say the PowerStar is wired in before your main DB, which confuses me because if your meter sits in your db, you are in fact paying Eskom/Munic. when running only on UPS. If that's the case, the PowerStar should have N/C; N/O auxiliary contacts on it which you can use to feed the buzzer.
If that is not the case and you're able to tap into mains PRIOR to feeding your UPS:
Then wire in a buzzer through the normally closed (N/C) contact of the Relay, which is fed from the UPS.
Mains ON = Relay pulls in, N/C breaks contact...no buzz.
Mains OFF = Relay collapses, N/C is closed and allows buzzer to receive power from UPS to let you know it's on UPS power only.
Make sure to add fuses or breakers to the lines though.
* a contactor will work on the same principle, but require a slight difference in wiring.
If that is not the case and you're able to tap into mains PRIOR to feeding your UPS:
Then wire in a buzzer through the normally closed (N/C) contact of the Relay, which is fed from the UPS.
Mains ON = Relay pulls in, N/C breaks contact...no buzz.
Mains OFF = Relay collapses, N/C is closed and allows buzzer to receive power from UPS to let you know it's on UPS power only.
Make sure to add fuses or breakers to the lines though.
* a contactor will work on the same principle, but require a slight difference in wiring.
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Arthur
Honorary Master
Thanks for the info, Voicy.
BTW, the PowerStar sits between the Prepaid Meter (60A) and the new main db.
Ok so you have:
Municipality -> Meter on your property -> PowerStar UPS -> New DB -> House wiring ?
If that's the case tap into the mains between the meter and the UPS to power your relay/contactor. If this is your config and you're still 100% sure on the wiring, I can make you a diagram if you'd like.
The fault current rating on residential supplies should be negligible so you can get away with 2.5kA CB's.
Municipality -> Meter on your property -> PowerStar UPS -> New DB -> House wiring ?
If that's the case tap into the mains between the meter and the UPS to power your relay/contactor. If this is your config and you're still 100% sure on the wiring, I can make you a diagram if you'd like.
The fault current rating on residential supplies should be negligible so you can get away with 2.5kA CB's.
wetkit
Expert Member
I am confused.
Who did this installation for you?
Surely the MLT should have an internal relay that can be programmed to activate on mains failure?
Then it would be easy for you to use that contact to power an alarm in your house, seeing that you still have power in there.
Then it is just a simple matter of walking to the genny and starting it.
Fot more details, look here.....
http://www.mltdrives.com/products/bi-directional-inverters.htm
Who did this installation for you?
Surely the MLT should have an internal relay that can be programmed to activate on mains failure?
Then it would be easy for you to use that contact to power an alarm in your house, seeing that you still have power in there.
Then it is just a simple matter of walking to the genny and starting it.
Fot more details, look here.....
http://www.mltdrives.com/products/bi-directional-inverters.htm
That's quite an informative site. Hopefully he can pull some wiring diagrams off there! I wasn't familiar with the MLT's but they look cool.
Let Voicy help you. He helped me design my DB circuit for my gennie switchover in my house.(Including mains power return alarm
)
Only because you promised me fondles, a debt which you still haven't settled.
Arthur
Honorary Master
Thanks, Wetkit - I know their site well.
MLT in fact have a buzzer that connects straight into an internal relay.
The problem is that the equipment is in the Utilities Room at the other end of the house from where my office is, ie beyond earshot. I'd like a little buzzer in my office so I know when the power's off so I can drift over and manually start the genny.
Great equipment. Apparently even the US Air Force is buying the PowerStars for certain applications. "Africa-proof". Happy user.