Data Scientist / Software Engineer / Crypto Enthusiast
May 4th, 2021
Power Meter Build - Influenced by Space Goats and Red Panda
Disclaimer: I'm not a licensed electrician, build at your own risk and consult a professional for installation
Item List
- Multi-Function Digital Meter (D69-2058) by Droking
- 30A 250 Volt Receptacle (2620) by Leviton
- 6x6x4 Junction Box (1000403716) by Carlon
- 1/2" Cable Gland (WC-CG-1/2-20) by MGI
- Double (2) Pull 30A Breaker make sure it fits your panel
- Spray Paint (Black)
- 10 / 2 Wire (Rated for 240+ volts, 2 Hots, 1 Ground)
- Single Wire (Rated for 240+ Volts) - used to power meter
- Crazy glue if needed
- 2 bolts and 2 hex nuts to mount the receptacle
Tools
- Dremel w/ bits to cut plastic
- Power Drill w/ bits, used to drill 2 holes for the receptacle
and 1 hole for the cable gland
- Wire Cutters
- Voltage Tester
- Utility Knife
- Screw Driver(s)
- Flashlight
Installation
- Take the lid off the junction box
- Position meter and receptacle on lid and trace
- Use Dremel and Drill to cut holes, take it slowly on this step you do
not want to over cut!
- Position cable gland on bottom of the box, trace and drill hole
- If everything is cut and fits move to a ventilated area and start
painting with your desired colour!
- After paint dries install the cable gland, take the top nut off and
mount into the box, secure with the nut
- Take your 10/2 cable and feed it through the gland, give yourself enough cable
to work with inside the box
- Remove the cable casing in the box to reveal the 3 cables (2 hots, 1 ground)
- Strip the ends of the hots
- Now that the cables are ready, install the receptacle into the box, use the two
bolts and nuts to secure it to the junction box
- Attach the ground (bare cooper) wire to the receptacle ground (normally green)
- Take your single wire for the power meter, measure and cut into 2 equal lengths, strip each end
- Attach one hot of the 10/2 wire to the receptacle (separate slots)
- Attach the cut wires to each power on the receptacle
- Push in the meter it should snap in if sized correctly, if not use crazy glue to mount
- Connect the two single wires to the green side of the meter for power
- Loop the ring around the unconnected hot wire and connect to the receptacle
(Wiring sketch on the left)
- Secure everything and close up the box.
- Mount your box to a secure location and run your cable to your electrical panel
- Turn off your main power, and follow the diagram below.
Notes
- Make sure to wear PPE and BE VERY CAREFUL, do not work with electricity if your
not comfortable!
- If you are going to run this line a further distance from your panel.
I would recommend a heavier gauge wire and you might need to
make some modifications to the sizing of the cable gland.
- Be careful cutting the plastic and make sure not to melt it,
the fumes from PVC are toxic
- Do not use two single pull 30A breakers, this will not work as
expected
- Don't install your meter display upside down! Reset button is on the right.
- Make sure your main power is off and you have room in your electrical panel
- When installing a 30A breaker make sure to place connectors on both bus bars
- You may also try other box designs and tweet them out to me
Good Luck and Happy Mining!
Any donations are greatly appreciated.
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