Does sense need its own breaker?
Although the Sense monitor only draws 4W, it must be installed on a 240V breaker for device detection purposes. Sense needs to monitor the voltage across both phases of your electrical system. Installing on a 240V breaker ensures that this is done correctly.
What do you do if your breaker box is full?
If your home’s electrical service panel (breaker box) is full and you need more room to add new circuits, installing a subpanel might be the way to go. Subpanels certainly can add convenience and plenty of room for installing new circuits, but your current system must have enough capacity to support a subpanel.
Can I install sense myself?
Installation. Installation is pretty easy and you can do it yourself if you’re not scared of opening up your electrical panel to expose the primary power lines coming into your home from your utility. Power for the Sense unit can be directly tapped inside the breaker box—just be sure to cut the power before doing this.
How do I make more space in my breaker box?
Install tandem breakers to increase the number of circuits in your fuse box. Add tandem breakers to expand the available circuits in your fuse box (more accurately called a breaker box). But be careful. Only certain breaker slots will accept them.
How do I increase the capacity of my electrical panel?
As household electrical needs increase, families often run out of these and/or the electrical panel can run out of places to put new ones. If you need more 15- or 20-amp breakers, a simple solution is to install a tandem breaker.
How do you set up sense?
Install the Sense app by visiting sense.com/app. Click “Get Started” and follow the on-screen instructions. The app will guide you through the Wi-Fi setup and account creation process. Sense is a home energy monitoring device.
What is double tapping in electrical panel?
What Is a double tap? If your home has a double tapped circuit breaker, this means that two wires (conductors) are connected to one specific circuit breaker or one terminal on the same circuit breaker. You may also hear this condition referred to as a “double lug.”
Is Double lugging against code?
Double lugged neutrals are a defect, were never up to code, and should be corrected. The good news is that it should take an electrician about 1 minute to fix it!
Is the sense monitor worth it?
Cool device and very accurate at detecting overall energy usage but individual device detection is hit & miss at best. I have had it for 3 months and it helps me monitor my overall home electricity usage in real time. It does an ok job detecting some appliances but a poor job detecting others (more on that below).
What electrical panels are compatible with the sense home energy monitor?
The Sense Home Energy Monitor is compatible with most split-phase 120/240V OR 400A split-service residential electrical panels in North America. Individual panels up to 200A are compatible. Your panel must have enough space to fit sensor clamps with HxWxD dimensions of 3.375″ x 2″ x .75″ (85.73 x 50.8 x 19.05mm), and an inside diameter of 1”.
Can sensesense monitor a busbar or subpanel?
Sense can monitor subpanels, provided that the monitor is installed in the main panel and the subpanels are downstream of this panel. Busbar panels must have enough clearance for the current sensors to clamp around the busbar.
Do I need an electrician to install sensesense?
Sense should only be installed by a licensed electrician. Installation itself is quick and easy, but it requires opening up your electrical panel and connecting current sensors to the service mains. These wires are live, even with your main breaker switched off, and are thus very dangerous.
Can sense be used with a recessed panel?
Sense is compatible with recessed panels. You can read more about the installation process here. Sense is designed to monitor traditional homes in North America with split-phase 240V service, but it can also successfully monitor two out of the three legs of three-phase 208V service.