Attn: Engineers- Best way to create 120v alarm for outages?

Trying to come up with a safe way of "power restoration alert", since I have uninstalled and sold my transfer switch panel and wired my system direct.

My way would be to put on some rubber gloves, build a wiring setup using battery clamps like the ones found on jumper cables, and clamp one directly to the main and the other to the neutral, hoping I don't get lit up in the process. I would then have to risk shock once again to remove said clamps after being notified by the alarm that the power was back on.

There's got to be a better way to do this, but my brain needs a little jolt ( pun intended ) in the right direction.

I see there are several products that can detect voltage without actually touching the conductor. There has got to be a way to make this system trigger a piezo buzzer, or a Buzz Bulb, or a school bell, or what have you. Seems like the safest way to go. Just wrap the sensor around the jacket of the main feeds and connect the other end to ground or neutral, and be done.

Any suggestions?

I've wondered the same.. My idea is to just check the main with a volt meter or better yet have one permanently installed so I could monitor voltage with less fiddling around. Other than that, you gotta shut off the breaker the generator is coming in on and throw the main on to see if there is power.

i use led indicator from elec supply house
drill and mount right in breaker box
mini aligator clip on mains before breaker

they come in green, red, ect cheap

Poconoeagle wrote:i use led indicator from elec supply house
drill and mount right in breaker box
mini aligator clip on mains before breaker

Great idea

I've wired up 12v piezo buzzers in my old cars to remind me the headlights were on when I turned the ignition off. I'd stick one end in the headlight circuit in the fuse panel, then ground it through the wiper circuit. The wiper circuit is also hot during key on, so no alarm. Key off, it becomes a ground ... so if headlights are on, the buzzer is on.

I'd like to achieve the same thing with my panel here. I can do it ... but I'd like to hear of safer ways to do it.

I actually have a green LED in the basement right now ... but it would be better to "hear" the power come back. Way down in the corner of my basement where the panel is, a light would go unnoticed.

using the same clip method one could use a timer relay. for a one shot buzzer alarm.....

look in MSC or mc master carr for ideas

Geez, I'd be careful.. That current would be "un breakered" and if there was a short it would surely catch fire..

use a 22ga wire or smaller

the smoke wouldnt last long

I could fuse it with a Maxi fuse out of the Jimmy ...

Reminds me of my hometown. They still sound that alarm during fires, and at high noon.

That would be awesome in the house. I'd have to test it on the wife - I think it's 160 decibles ...

AAFIREMAN - Dude, thats awesome

With an alarm, you would also need a switch to shut if off once power is back on.. Or an easy way to disconnect, as mentioned earlier with mini gator clips.. Actually the mini gator clips is probably the safest since they would only be applied while there was a power outage..

I still have a transfer switch on mine from the mid 50's

simple anal-log control

It could still be duplicated --- basically a double throw 100 amp knife switch - control is a line voltage solenoid that holds the switch of the back up gen set open - it drops on line failure closing the call to start, and the process begins - when the gen set is up it, powers another solenoid to pull the knife switch to internal wiring.

when power is restored - that call to start solenoid energizes - pushing against gravity and the generator is switched off - the hold in solenoid looses power and the spring load pulls the knife back to normal position

simple I don't even have to be home

Lightning wrote: Actually the mini gator clips is probably the safest since they would only be applied while there was a power outage..

But how do you know the power will not be restored while connecting the clips. Their are in line fuse holders, but I can't say what code is. And you need the power off to install 'em or Fuses/breakers are to protect the wires, not the appliances or the occupants. I have an inline fuse holder I'm going to hook to the manual transfer switch on mine, to power a light bulb when the generator runs, so I can see to flip the transfer switch. I'll look out the window to see when the power is on, by the neighbors ,or hear the peace and quiet when all their generators are turned off.