BigfootC Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 I have a 220V 20A water pump. I would like to detect when it starts running and when it stops. It has the standard pressure tank and is controlled by a Square D pressure regulator. I would like some ideas on how to achieve this. My ISY system supports Insteon and Z-wave devices.
Teken Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 (edited) What is your budget and are there any caveats to know about? The most direct route is to purchase a Aeotec smart plug that measures energy and you can take those metrics and send to the ISY Series Controller for tracking, email, and historic recall. If you want to measure water flow this will require more investment and other auxiliary devices. I personally measure everything from line voltage, power, current, PF, KWH, cycles, duration, costs, etc. Everything is tracked, graphed, and stored on site and off site to review and share to those I want to. NOTE: Since your system is 220 / 240 VAC a energy monitor is the most direct route. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited November 13, 2017 by Teken
apostolakisl Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 (edited) The easy thing to do is to use a 220v relay wired in parralel with the pump and then use an iolinc to detect if the relay is open or closed. These sorts of relays only cost a few bucks. Squre D senses dropped pressure -> Square D Switch throws closing 220v contacts -> Pump gets power AND relay gets power/closes contacts -> Contacts closing on relay sensed by iolinc -> ISY gets message from iolinc This of course does not confirm that the pump is actually pumping, only that it is being supplied power and should be pumping. If you want to confirm that the pump is actually pumping, you would need additonal flow switches on the outflow section. Also, if the pump were to run for an unusually long period of time you might surmise that it is not actually pumping. ISY could send you a text or blink a light or something if the pump were on for longer than some period of time that you chose. Edited November 13, 2017 by apostolakisl
ldb Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 If you want just on/off try Aeon Labs ZW097 Dry Contact Sensor with a current sensing switch like Dwyer Series CCS.
Teken Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 The easy thing to do is to use a 220v relay wired in parralel with the pump and then use an iolinc to detect if the relay is open or closed. These sorts of relays only cost a few bucks. Squre D senses dropped pressure -> Square D Switch throws closing 220v contacts -> Pump gets power AND relay gets power/closes contacts -> Contacts closing on relay sensed by iolinc -> ISY gets message from iolinc This of course does not confirm that the pump is actually pumping, only that it is being supplied power and should be pumping. If you want to confirm that the pump is actually pumping, you would need additonal flow switches on the outflow section. Also, if the pump were to run for an unusually long period of time you might surmise that it is not actually pumping. ISY could send you a text or blink a light or something if the pump were on for longer than some period of time that you chose. Exactly, this is why it's important to measure many facets because there are going to be conditions / scenarios which can't be seen without other monitoring methods. A similar conversation came up about tracking a fridge / freezer. My input was it was imperative to monitor as many things you could because each one addressed scenarios not seen by the other monitors. I.e. Temp, power, voltage, current. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
apostolakisl Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 https://www.ebay.com/itm/10A-AC220V-Coil-Power-Relay-LY2NJ-HH62P-8-Pins-2-Open-2-Close-With-Socket-Base-H/222673433519?hash=item33d85ef3af:m:mTQjslPNywaTezitgj4DhSQ $2.25 with free shipping. Plus of course the iolinc
MrBill Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 https://www.ebay.com/itm/10A-AC220V-Coil-Power-Relay-LY2NJ-HH62P-8-Pins-2-Open-2-Close-With-Socket-Base-H/222673433519?hash=item33d85ef3af:m:mTQjslPNywaTezitgj4DhSQ $2.25 with free shipping. Plus of course the iolinc that link to a relay with base is actually 99 cents with free shipping for me, at the moment. Shipping from China tho.
Teken Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 that link to a relay with base is actually 99 cents with free shipping for me, at the moment. Shipping from China tho. Hrmm, selecting the different options shows base is: $0.99, relay $1.29, base and relay is $2.25?
Brian H Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 You could also use a current sensor. To detect when the pump is drawing current running. I know a CT800 can trigger an I/OLinc http://cocoontech.com/forums/page/articles/_/tutorials/home-automation-tutorials/how-to-monitor-the-status-of-your-appliances-using-current-sensors-r58
apostolakisl Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 Hrmm, selecting the different options shows base is: $0.99, relay $1.29, base and relay is $2.25? Yeah, you definitely don't want to be rediculously cheap and not get the base/relay combo. Trying to wire it up without the base is just ugly and half-assed.
Teken Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 Yeah, you definitely don't want to be rediculously cheap and not get the base/relay combo. Trying to wire it up without the base is just ugly and half-assed. I can tell you if someone is so cheap they can't afford to spend $2.25 for what appears to be incredible value. Everything else they have in their home / lives is cheap and living on borrowed time . . .
LFMc Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 No one mentioned water flow sensing, so I thought I would throw in this inexpensive way to detect water flow, even if it is not needed in this case. I needed both pump on sensing and water flow sensing, so I used this for the latter. https://www.amazon.com/Lemonpool-Assembly-Replacement-Compatible-Generators/dp/B071SHJLN4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1510606504&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=flow+switch+assembly+with+tree+replacement&psc=1 $35 on Amazon and you can hook it up to any of the I/O Linc insteon unit. I had to use this to make sure I wasn't pumping from a dry hole, unprimed pump or clogged filter. (-:
smokegrub Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 I use the iolinc/relay approach and it has served me beautifully. My pump is 120v and I use an Insteon device to control the power to the relay. The location is a vacation home and, if the pump comes on when I am away, I get a notification. I then can cut the power to the relay and, thus, to the pump. I could automatically cut power to the pump using my ISY but I have decided to reserve that decision to myself.
stusviews Posted November 13, 2017 Posted November 13, 2017 Redundancy is really good for any critical application.One method of alert is good, two methods is better, more than two is best. I use that strategy even for some non-critical situation where feasible and the cost is not great
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