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Author Topic: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?  (Read 8838 times)

TimB

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Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« on: December 19, 2010, 07:50:16 PM »
I hate to ask this but Ive search for days and cant find an exact answer.  So here goes...

I have a 400 amp service with 2 panels in the basement. Should I install one XPCR in each panel or will this cause a conflict.  Next, is it better to install it across two single breakers or to one double breaker? Last, what size breakers? I plan to install the XPCR in the existing panels if I can fit them in. Home is around 5300 sqft. Two story with full basement.

Thanks,

Tim

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lodtrack

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Re: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2010, 08:14:39 AM »
There should only be need for 1 mounted in either panel. It doesn't matter what size breakers you attach to but the double breaker is the best spot. If single breakers are used from opposite phases, and only one is opened anyone working on the "open circuit" wiring could get a dangerous suprise.
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dave w

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Re: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2010, 12:14:17 PM »
Quote from: TimB on December 19, 2010, 07:50:16 PM
I have a 400 amp service with 2 panels in the basement. Should I install one XPCR in each panel or will this cause a conflict.  Next, is it better to install it across two single breakers or to one double breaker? Last, what size breakers? I plan to install the XPCR in the existing panels if I can fit them in. Home is around 5300 sqft. Two story with full basement.
Thanks,
Better to install on a double breaker. With the XPCR and certain ACT repeaters. Flipping off only one side of the 220V to the unit can cause power supply failures. A double breaker will prevent that. Also the unit should be sized with breakers that offer it some protection i.e. no larger than 15amp.

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TimB

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Re: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2010, 02:38:58 PM »
OK,  I'll install one XPCR on a 15 amp double breaker in one panel and give that a try. Thank you both for the help.

Tim
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TimB

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Re: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« Reply #4 on: December 23, 2010, 11:27:17 AM »
It's installed and everything is working great. I took a couple photos. Hope they help someone else out. Thanks again for the help.

Tim








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henryr01

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Re: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« Reply #5 on: December 24, 2010, 03:02:17 PM »
Thanks for the update Tim! I have the exact same problem.
By chance did you look at the Circuit Breaker type bridges? Just wondering...

Bob...
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lodtrack

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Re: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« Reply #6 on: December 25, 2010, 08:50:52 AM »
Glad to hear all worked out. I shudder when I see the size of your panels. Rural Hydro in Northern Ontario is at 21.5 cents a kilowatt. Those panels look like a gateway to a goldmine for the utility company  :)
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dominicv

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Re: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« Reply #7 on: December 26, 2010, 09:52:39 PM »
O.K. guys I'm confused.

In looking at the wired panel, I see the red wire from the XPCR hooked up on the lower part of the breaker and the black wire on top part of the same breaker.

I can't see how this setup can work, since you are only connected to L2 ( one leg only ), I could wrong, it wouldn't be the first time, but I believe that for the XPCR needs to be connected to both legs ( L1 and L2 ), the red wire on a breaker on the left side of the panel and the black wire on a breaker on the right hand side of the panel.

Can someone confirm this.

Dom
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TimB

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Re: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« Reply #8 on: December 26, 2010, 10:04:43 PM »
Every other breaker is on a different phase,  So the double breaker is connected to both phases. Black wire is on one phase,  the red wire is on the other phase. You can kind of tell how it works by looking at the 2nd photo right below he breakers. You can see how each side goes to the other side. Hope that helps.  Looking at an empty panel will make better sense.
« Last Edit: December 26, 2010, 10:09:37 PM by TimB »
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lainghk

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Re: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2011, 08:30:22 PM »
Is it okay to install TWO XPCR's on ONE 2-phase circuit panel?  Will two XPCR's running concurrently create any power/signal issues (power failure/signal cancellation, etc)?  I can always use one XPCR as a backup by keeping the circuit breaker off and manually turn it on only when the primary XPCR is not working.  However, if I can technically keep two XPCR's running at the same time, that would be ideal. 
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dave w

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Re: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2011, 09:55:02 PM »
Quote from: lainghk on June 21, 2011, 08:30:22 PM
Is it okay to install TWO XPCR's on ONE 2-phase circuit panel?  Will two XPCR's running concurrently create any power/signal issues (power failure/signal cancellation, etc)?  I can always use one XPCR as a backup by keeping the circuit breaker off and manually turn it on only when the primary XPCR is not working.  However, if I can technically keep two XPCR's running at the same time, that would be ideal. 
Oh, sorta like "simulcasting" in the radio world.

My W.A.G. is that they will not be in precise synchronization, which will probably result in distortion of the PLC signal and signal corruption.

Try it.

Rabbit trail: Why do you want to do that? If reliability is the intended result, I would get a XTBIIR. They put out a higher signal than the XPCR and they are built like tanks.
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TimB

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Re: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« Reply #11 on: June 21, 2011, 10:02:15 PM »
I think you will end up with commands being repeated over and over.
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Brian H

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Re: Dual Panels, Dual XPCR's?
« Reply #12 on: June 22, 2011, 06:03:14 AM »
Why would you ever want to run two XPCRs in the same panel?
It isn't gong to make the signals any stronger and may as other have pointed out. Cause garbage signal problems.

If you need stronger signals. The XTB-IIR is the best. Second choice would be the ACT CR234.

I have been doing some signal tests with a few different Repeater Couplers and hope to condense the findings to post them.
I have a branch circuit with six two way devices on it and the >9.99 volt XTB-IIR signal is like 1.25 at the end of the branch.  ::)
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