# Total newbie trying to work out what I need and how to setup

**URL:** <https://community.openenergymonitor.org/t/total-newbie-trying-to-work-out-what-i-need-and-how-to-setup/9108>\
**Category:** Getting Started\
**Tags:** emonpi\
**Created:** [11 November 2018 14:13 UTC](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/t/total-newbie-trying-to-work-out-what-i-need-and-how-to-setup/9108 "2018-11-11T14:13:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Robert.Wall](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/user_avatar/community.openenergymonitor.org/robert.wall/32/38246_2.png) [@Robert.Wall](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/u/Robert.Wall)\
**Post date:** [16 November 2018 17:32 UTC](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/t/total-newbie-trying-to-work-out-what-i-need-and-how-to-setup/9108/22 "2018-11-16T17:32:45Z")

</div>

> [@hpoom](#):
>
> It is the blue clip that is the Powerdiverter.

That “clip” appear to be a YHDC split core c.t, from the same family as our standard one.

Reading the installation instructions, the only way I can think that your device _might_ work is, it transmits an analogue replica of the current wave to the control box, and the relative phase of voltage and current are compared there, hence the direction of power flow can be inferred. I would imagine that, to have a decent battery life, that cannot be done continuously (as the diverters published here do) but it must be done on a sampling basis - maybe for only a few mains cycles every half-minute or something like that.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hpoom](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/user_avatar/community.openenergymonitor.org/hpoom/32/8261_2.png) [@hpoom](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/u/hpoom)\
**Post date:** [27 November 2018 23:50 UTC](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/t/total-newbie-trying-to-work-out-what-i-need-and-how-to-setup/9108/23 "2018-11-27T23:50:36Z")

</div>

> [@Robert.Wall](#):
>
> The key consideration is reliability. If you’re happy that it won’t get “borrowed” (and it sounds as if your “extension lead” is all but permanent), then that’s fine.

@Robert.Wall would something like this work, if I can guarantee it will not be “borrowed”?  
[https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pro-Elec-White-2-Gang-Extension-Trailing-Lead-1m-2m-3m-5m-10m/132398220659](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pro-Elec-White-2-Gang-Extension-Trailing-Lead-1m-2m-3m-5m-10m/132398220659)

Also I assume any extension I use needs to not have an indicator light on it? I assume an indicator light would mess with the readings, is that correct?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Robert.Wall](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/user_avatar/community.openenergymonitor.org/robert.wall/32/38246_2.png) [@Robert.Wall](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/u/Robert.Wall)\
**Post date:** [28 November 2018 00:03 UTC](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/t/total-newbie-trying-to-work-out-what-i-need-and-how-to-setup/9108/24 "2018-11-28T00:03:43Z")

</div>

I don’t see a problem with that - or it’s “power on” light. That will almost certainly be a neon lamp, with a running current of around 0.7 mA. You will never measure that with a 100 A c.t., so forget it.

[Previous page](https://community.openenergymonitor.org/t/total-newbie-trying-to-work-out-what-i-need-and-how-to-setup/9108.md?page=1)