PowerSense

Yes it does! The PowerwoRx is designed to go into any home with a single-phase circuit breaker panel with breaker switches. For homes with the old screw in type fuses, the unit will work but additional hardware will be required. The “energy savings” from PowerwoRx comes from how it deals with inductive loads or to put it in more common terms, how it deals with motor driven appliances. If you say "yes" to only two or more of the following then you could be saving money on your electric bill right now!

Is your central air conditioner / heat pump unit 3 years or older?
Is your forced air furnace 3 years or older?
Do you have a pool?
Do you have a well?
Do you use an air conditioner?
Is your refrigerator / freezer not EnergyStar rated?
Do you have more than one refrigerator / freezer?
Is your washer / dryer not EnergyStar rated?
Do you have a hot tub or a Jacuzzi?
Is your dishwasher not EnergyStar rated?Is your home over 2500 Square feet?

PowerwoRx e3 must be installed by a licensed electrician (or equivalent in areas which do not issue licenses) or the 10-year Warranty is void. The PowerwoRx e3 mounts next to a standard 100A or 200A single phase power panel. The unit’s two supply wires (L1 and L2) are connected into a dedicated 220V, 20A or 30A breaker, ideally located at the top of the panel but can be installed anywhere an opening exists. The neutral and ground are connected to their respective busses. Questions regarding proper attachment and wiring should be directed to the electrician who can verify local and state codes are being complied with. The Installation Guide which accompanies the product can be found at the end of this document.

Some specific questions from Electricians…..

1. A standard 200 Amp service has 1-Panel with a 200 Amp main breaker, usually located 3-5' from the meter. Should the PowerwoRx e3 be tied in on the line-side of the main breaker or can a separate branch breaker be installed and hook it up there? Could it even be installed to an existing 240 Volt breaker? ANSWER: The PowerwoRx e3 is always installed on the switched side of the MAIN 200A breaker through a dedicated 20A or 30A double-pole breaker. If the panel is full or there is not a double space available to add a double-pole breaker, space can be made available by using two split, slim-line or “piggyback” breakers.

2. Does the 20A or 30A dedicated double pole breaker need to be at the top of the panel – there have been some manufacturers who say it must? ANSWER: The dedicated double pole breaker can be installed in any open slot that will accommodate a 240V breaker, regardless of whether it is at the top or bottom. The reason some have suggested the breaker MUST be installed at the top of the panel is the assumption that a surge or spike will only be stopped if it reaches the PowerwoRx e3 first. This is not true. The PowerwoRx Surge and Spike protection will activate as soon as the line voltage exceeds the rated voltage +20%. Yes, it does take more time for the voltage to travel to the bottom of the panel and then out to the PowerwoRx e3 then if it were connected to the top slot in the panel. Regardless of location, the Surge or Spike will be stopped or arrested long before it can travel out from the panel on branch circuits to appliances and electronics in the building.

3. Some areas require a 200A disconnect be mounted at the meter and from the disconnect run a line to a 200A Main Lug Only panel inside the home. In that application, should the PowerwoRx e3 be located at the exterior disconnect. ANSWER: In all cases, the PowerwoRx e3 is always installed on the switched side of the MAIN 200A breaker through a dedicated 20A or 30A double-pole breaker, not on an exterior disconnect.

4. Many times the panel in the home is in a bedroom or other “living area” where people may not want to look at this “green box” on the wall. Can it be located elsewhere, like in a closet in the attic, and if so how far from the panel is this permitted? ANSWER: The PowerwoRx e3 can be remotely located in a closet or some other less-conspicuous location. Distance from the panel should be minimized. Keep in mind that the two indicator lights are the only indication that the PowerwoRx e3 is operating properly. Consequently the unit should be located in an area where the lights can be checked. An inaccessible attic would not be the ideal location.

5. If there were enough room in the panel could the PowerwoRx e3 be placed inside the panel box? ANSWER: Because the two indicator lights are the only indication that the PowerwoRx e3 is operating properly and code does not permit the cover of the power panel to be modified, locating the unit inside the panel would not be the ideal location.

6. Can the wires coming from the PowerwoRx e3 be shortened or lengthened and if so do they need to be the same length? ANSWER: Yes the wires can be shortened to whatever length is necessary and no the wires do not need to be the same length. Continental Power allows the lengthening of the wires to accommodate mounting the unit further away from the panel than the current wiring allows. As a general rule, the length of the wires should be kept as short as possible and electricians should follow standard electrical code regarding adding wire to the unit.

7. Can PowerwoRx e3 be mounted horizontally rather than just vertically and why does it have to be mounted at least 12” from the main panel? ANSWER: Due to the way the PowerwoRx is assembled internally, the ideal mounting orientation is vertically (as instructed in the Installation Instructions) with the wires coming out the bottom. Continental Power allows a horizontal mounting orientation with the cover on the top side and the wires coming out on the right. In addition, the 12” requirement is being removed from the installation instructions.

8. Many "Custom" homes have one 400A meter and run from there with a line to each of (2) 200A panels in the home with main breakers. If we locate one PowerwoRx e3 in just one of the panels are both panels protected? ANSWER: One PowerwoRx e3 per 200A panel is required. If only one PowerwoRx e3 is installed, only one panel is protected. In this case installing two PowerwoRx e3’s is recommended, one per 200A sub panel.

9. If a home or small business has two 200-amp main panels, does a PowerwoRx e3 need to be installed on both panels? ANSWER: Typically one unit is recommended for each 200A panel. One reason you may want to only install one unit is if the boxes are located next to each other, and the total electrical usage is low – typically in the $200-$300 per month range. If the electrical usage is well above this level or the panels are not side by side, the only way to adequately treat the panels and protect the attached appliances and electronics is to have a unit on each panel. The PowerwoRx provides adequate treatment for typical home electrical usage, in other words for typical inductive loads. If the electric bill is quite high – over $500 per month, a single PowerwoRx will not provide the expected results.

10. If a home or small business has a 200 amp service and a 100 amp sub panel either next to, or in a remote location, does a PowerwoRx e3 need to be installed on both panels, or one of the panels, & if so which panel? ANSWER: If the 100A sub panel is located close by and total electrical usage is no more than $200-$300 per month, one PowerwoRx is adequate. If the 100A sub panel is 100 yards away in another building, a second PowerwoRx on the sub panel is suggested to insure the sub panel has adequate surge & spike protection, harmonic filtration, and PF reduction. Of course it is also dependent on what reactive loads are tied to the sub panel. If there are little or no reactive loads, and there are few appliances or electronics to protect, a unit on the sub panel would not be warranted. Conversely, if there are a large number of reactive loads being powered by the sub panel, a separate PowerwoRx will be needed.

It has a predicted lifespan of over 20 years and comes with a 10-year warranty. This claim is based upon the synergy between the three components which protect each other and lessen the derating of components which is typical in “capacitor in a box” type products.

The warranty on PowerwoRx e3 is the best in the industry – a full 10 year! The patent pending design and the quality of the components used in the PowerwoRx e3 Whole House Energy Management System lets us offer this industry leading warranty. No other manufacturer comes close. Even if the PowerwoRx e3 performs as it should in the event of a lightning strike nearby, and the Industrial rated MOV’s which absorb the energy sacrifice themselves, Continental Power will repair or replace the unit.

In addition, a $25,000 warranty on the homeowners appliances AND electronics is included! For more details on this warranty see the policy at www.continentalpowerworx.com website. It should be noted that the PowerwoRx only protects against surges on the electrical lines, not on the Telephone or TV Cable. For 100% protection Telephone and Cable surge protectors are needed.

Note: The $25,000 warranty on the homeowners appliances AND electronics applies to the residential PowerwoRx e3 only. A PowerwoRx e3 installed in a commercial facility is not covered. The commercial 3-phase PowerwoRx have the same industry leading 10-year product warranty, but do not have the appliance/electronics warranty. This is not a liability insurance policy. The PowerwoRx, along with all products offered by Continental Power are insured by a multi-million dollar manufacturer’s liability insurance policy.

The PowerwoRx e3 is designed for 240V and 200A which is typical for residential applications. The PowerwoRx cannot be damaged if used on an application which would be better served by a larger unit. The only down side would be the inability to store as much reactive current required for the motors being used, which means that current must come from the utility. In addition, where harmonic filtration is needed for larger “Commercial” applications, a line of 3-Phase Commercial PowerwoRx e3 units is available through Continental Power.

No, if anything, your motors will run about 10% cooler, which is good because heat is the enemy of a motor. PowerwoRx e3 reduces I2R line losses which improves voltage stability, improving motor performance.

PowerwoRx e3 is UL listed and tested (PowerwoRx UL certificate is under the UL 508 “Industrial Control Equipment” category, UL Certificate # E320259, dated 3/27/08).

The technology is also recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy.

That depends on many factors. The size of your home, the amount of inductive motor load, and the amount you are paying per kilowatt-hour for electricity, harmonic noise on your electrical lines, surge & spike issues, etc. Based upon customer feedback by far the majority of users are seeing a savings but it is important to point out that some users have seen no energy savings based upon initial power factor above 95%, low harmonics and other factors.

A few states have electric utilities which are beginning to penalize residential electric customers for poor power factor as implementing charges for peak demand. In these locations the opportunity for savings by installing the PowerwoRx is increased significantly due to the PowerwoRx ability to eliminate Power Factor penalties and reduce peak demand.

Looking strictly at Energy Savings the product can pay for itself within 2-4 years. This of course depends on individual circumstances, number of appliances and age, electrical costs and usage patterns, the homes power factor as well as other criteria. The other benefits can turn out to be the biggest benefit of all! Consider Surge & Spike Protection, as well as the harmful effects of harmonic distortion. These invisible but very real threats to all electrical appliances and electronics in the home can and will cause premature failure. Considering the significant investment in these appliances and electronics, often totaling in the 10’s of thousands of dollars, the protection provided by PowerwoRx e3 could be the biggest money-savings benefit of the product.

Yes, but the PowerwoRx e3 must be installed by a licensed electrician or qualified electrical installer in areas where electricians are not required to be licensed. Qualified installers can be HVAC contractors. It is ultimately the responsibility of the Continental Power distributor to insure the installer is qualified. Continental Power does not evaluate installers as to their qualifications and only in the event of a warranty claim will the qualifications of the installer be questioned. If the installer is determined to not be qualified based upon local standards, and the product failure is attributable to improper installation, the product warranty will be void.

Installation requires opening up of the electrical panel, exposing potentially dangerous high voltage wires. The unit comes with complete installation instructions and installs in about 15-30 minutes as long as there is space to add a 20A or 30A double pole breaker.

That’s easy; two words “cost effectiveness”. Up until recently, electric rates throughout America were cheap, costing us 2, 3 or 4 cents per kilowatt-hour. Now, electric rates are 8, 10, 12, 14, and 19 and in some cases New York City is 22 cents per Kwh, and Hawaii is 33.5 cents per Kwh. At the cheaper rates the PowerwoRx e3 didn’t make sense, but at the current rates, it makes all the sense in the world.

One of the most important features of the PowerwoRx e3 is the ability to protect the entire home against power surges. No longer is there a need for so many individual surge protectors in the home. The PowerwoRx e3 provides a broad range of protection for hardwired appliances and most home electronics such as appliances, televisions, satellite equipment, entertainment systems, etc using Industrial-Rated MOV’s. The unit protects from power line surges as well as spikes caused by internal wiring problems, loose connections and fluctuating demand from large motors such as vacuum cleaners, heating and cooling equipment, etc.

PowerwoRx e3 is not Energy Star rated because this type of product does not fit into the Energy Star rating system.

Resistive loads are equipment like incandescent lighting, electric resistant heating, electric hot water heaters and electric ovens and ranges. These devices require no “magnetic power” or “reactive power” to operate; consequently they have no negative impact on Power Factor. The energy savings capability of PowerwoRx e3 is achieved by storing the reactive power which is typically wasted, and making it available for reactive loads as required. There is no energy savings from PowerwoRx e3 being attached to a purely resistive load.

The PowerwoRx e3 will not cause the electric meter to turn on its own. The product does not “Use” energy – it captures energy from reactive (motor) loads and then provides it back to the motors when they need it.

The PowerwoRx e3 is designed to be SURFACE MOUNTED only due to its size (5” deep) and the surface mount mounting flange. Even if the 200A Power Panel is recessed and therefore flush mounted, the PowerwoRx e3 must still be surface mounted. With several feet of wire to tie into the power panel, the PowerwoRx e3 can be mounted in a less obvious location. Continental Power is developing a Flush Mount PowerwoRx e3 which will be released in mid 2009.

There are over a dozen manufacturers of products that “look” similar and make similar claims as PowerwoRx e3 regarding energy savings. These products are in many cases less expensive so what is the difference? The numerous “Power Savings Devices” on the market today consist of two electrolytic capacitors in a box. The PowerwoRx e3 contains:

‐ 2 Electrolytic Capacitors
‐ 2 Harmonic Filters
‐ 2 MOV’s for Surge/Spike protection
‐ Additional electronics

A comparison of the two products is like comparing a golf cart and a sports car. They are both considered transportation, but the sports car has a lot more capability. As far as the literature goes, we all know that companies make all kinds of claims. The PowerwoRx e3 has: 1. The best warranty in the business (10 years)
2. A patent pending product developed by a team of MIT PhD’s with no other product like it in the market
3. True Harmonic and Noise Filtration
4. True Surge & Spike Protection thanks to Industrial MOV’s
5. $25,000 warranty on connected appliances & electronics (see the end of this document).
PowerwoRx e3 is a premium product that has premium features. Consequently there is no comparable product on the market today that combines all these features together.

There are several products on the market which provide individual features much like the PowerwoRx e3: • Leviton 51120-1 Whole House Surge Suppressor, 1-Phase - single feature only for a home: $190
• Panamax MAX In-Wall Powerkit-Pro electronic Noise reduction unit, single feature only- but not a whole-house unit: $299
• Facility Management Solutions Inc. Power factor correction device, single feature only for a home: $349. Total cost of all 3 units: $838 and does not have many of the features and benefits of the PowerwoRx e3 PowerwoRx e3 by Continental Power Corporation - One unit, One installation and One low price!

No. The PowerwoRx e3 stores and supplies energy to the electrical appliances in the home, it does not directly consume electricity. Consequently, if an amperage meter (current probe) is placed on the electrical lines leading to the PowerwoRx e3, a reading of 2.5-3 amps will typically be shown. Even when no appliances are on, and therefore no electricity is being consumed, there will still be current flow showing on the current probe. Most assume this translates into 400W of energy being “used” which on an annualized basis will cost the homeowner well over $100 per year at current electric rates. The truth is the PowerwoRx e3 “uses” no energy. This is easily proven by turning off all electrical loads and going to the Electric Meter and reading the consumption – the meter will not be turning.

Another interesting test is to power a typical motor load like a bench grinder. Use a current meter to measure the inrush current at start-up as well as the steady-state current draw with and without the PowerwoRx e3 in the circuit. With PowerwoRx e3 activated the current draw at start-up and steady-state is typically reduced by over 30% thanks to the storing of the reactive energy by the PowerwoRx e3.

EcoQuest International was granted exclusive distribution rights of the PowerwoRx e3 in June 2008. In March 2009 EcoQuest was foreclosed upon and another company purchased their assets. Because the new owners chose not to continue with EcoQuest’s original contract, the new EcoQuest no longer has rights to the PowerwoRx product line, Trade Mark or any intellectual property. Any product EcoQuest may be selling under the name PowerwoRx or another name is not based upon the 15 year history and the thousands of satisfied customers.

Continental Power and its President Ed Kimmel has been a Power Conditioning solutions provider for over 15 years. Continental Power owns the intellectual property for PowerwoRx and there is only one way to obtain the original PowerwoRxbrand, and that is through an authorized Continental Power Distributor.

The following response was provided by Ed Kimmel, President of Continental Power:

I have fifteen years worth of data that I have shared with many engineers that have made the same statement as above. I can tell you with 100% confidence that our systems do reduce kWh and kW usage as well as reduce or eliminate power factor penalties and reduce harmonic distortion.

As you know, no two electrical systems are the same, and no two utility companies bill their customers exactly the same. There are electric utility companies that charge more for kW and kWh usage than others. There are electric utility companies that penalize a customer for poor power factor. We see much larger reductions in usage in less efficient electrical system. This is to be expected. We also see shorter payback periods and larger ROI’s on electric utilities with higher rates than others.

Power factor is just one third of the technology incorporated in the PowerwoRx Systems. We also install PowerwoRx for noise reduction and protection, using MOV’s for surge and spike protection and harmonic filtration for noise reduction.

In my fifteen years of installing our equipment I have never had a dissatisfied customer. This I have done by being honest and upfront with every customer I have had. We do reduce kW and kWh usage!

Ed Kimmel, President Continental Power Corporation

Most Power Companies do not charge a penalty for poor power factor. States currently charging a residential Power Factor penalty include California and Texas with several others adding this provision in 2009. Regardless of power factor penalties, PowerwoRx can and does save energy, but is important to understand that the amount of saved energy is dependent upon an almost infinite number of factors so being able to predict what the savings is not possible.

Some of the factors which can lead to power savings beyond reducing reactive current by improving power factor include reductions in harmonicas as well as surges & spikes. Feedback from customers has shown that the majority of homeowners are seeing a savings on their electric bill, which is beyond the benefits provided by increased equipment life from reduced harmonics and surge and spike protection.

The PowerwoRx e3 could potentially qualify for a tax credit under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for tax year 2009. On September 17, 2008, The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 was passed by congress as part of the $700 Billion financial bail-out plan. For a complete summary of the bill see: http://www.finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202008/091708%20Staff%20Summary%20of%20the%20Energy%20Im provement%20and%20Extension%20Act.pdf ) Here is the summary of the provision which could potentially benefit homeowners:

§ 302 Extension & Modification of Credit for Energy-Efficiency Improvements to Existing Homes The bill extends the tax credit for energy-efficient existing homes for 2009 under Section 25C, and includes energyefficient biomass fuel stoves as a new class of energy efficient property eligible for a consumer tax credit of $300. The proposal also clarifies the efficiency standard for water heaters. AUDIENCE: Consumers – Residential Homeowners

See IRS form 5695 http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf: What’s New for 2008 - Non-business energy property credit expired. You cannot take the non-business energy property credit for property placed in service in 2008. What’s New for 2009 - Non-business energy property credit available. The non-business energy property credit will be available for property placed in service in 2009. The credit is available for items such as high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, water heaters, windows, doors, and insulation. The amount of the credit will be limited by the amount of any non-business energy property credit you took in 2006 or 2007.

Taxpayers should consult their tax professional or accountant for how the PowerwoRx e3 can qualify for the Tax Credit and how much of the purchase price and installation costs apply. Continental Power makes no claim regarding an individual’s ability to receive a tax credit.

The standard PowerwoRx e3 case is a NEMA 1 and therefore cannot be mounted outdoors or where exposed to moisture.

For exterior mounting order the PowerwoRx mounted in a NEMA 3 enclosure

Considering the Harmonic and Noise Filtration technology used in the e3, this is a good question. Continental Power Corporation has found that the harmonic filtration capability of the e3 WILL cancel out the X10 and other control signals generated to communicate over the AC line. Other systems include UPB (Universal Powerline Bus), CEBUS, Insteon and LONWORKS to name a few. Consequently PowerwoRx e3 should not be used in buildings where the AC line is being used to transmit lighting control, telephone, TV or any other signal. A special PowerwoRx may be available in the future which has the harmonic filtration removed. For now, contact customer support and request a custom unit with the filters removed.

Note that most newer control systems are no longer using powerline data transmission. This includes Insteon although they still provide downward compatibility with X10 if necessary. The PowerwoRx will have no impact on radio frequency (RF) control signals.

Understanding that the ideal power factor is 1, and that poor power factor makes for an inefficient electrical distribution system which translates into higher kVA as well as higher KWh. A common question is “how can this device work in every home”? Some companies promote having an electrician come out to a home, measure power factor and then create a custom unit designed for that home. There are several reasons such a process is not recommended:
1. The power factor will vary depending upon what appliances are running at any given time. If the goal is to measure power factor, what appliances should be turned on?
2. Years of experience has shown that the configuration of PowerwoRx provides the optimum solution for the majority of homes. To produce a custom solution adds significant cost and provides little if any payback.
3. Some are concerned that adding too much capacitance will put the home into a lead condition (where the current waveform will lead the voltage waveform). Again, this will be dependent upon what appliances are running at any given time.

There are dozens of meters on the market. At the high end are meters like the Fluke model 435 that sells for $7000+. Continental Power recommends a simple and basic Power Clamp Meter manufactured by Extech (P/N 380976) that includes the ability to measure Power Factor. This meter is available several on-line merchants including http://www.tequipment.net/Extech380976.html. Continental Power also recommends the Fluke 1735. For more information go to: http://www.transcat.com/Catalog/ and search on the Fluke model 1735

Typical “Energy Savings Devices” on the market contain capacitors which place 30 micro farads on each phase (60 micro farads total), potentially over correcting the system in many cases. The PowerwoRx e3 only has 30 micro farads total, so overcorrecting will be rare with the PowerwoRx e3. The advantage of the PowerwoRx e3 is the "synergy" of the 3 elements; surge and spike protection, harmonic filtering, and energy savings. These synergies are vital together. The biggest difference between the other devices and the PowerwoRx e3 is line conditioning. By cleaning up the power the motors are more efficient and not as wasteful. Competitor’s products overcorrect and in some cases no savings are realized. In these cases installing a PowerwoRx resolved the problem. In no cases have we experienced a customer’s electric bill going up due to the addition of capacitance. There have been instances where a customer was saving energy and then added a swimming pool and another unit was added to compensate, but never the other way around.

Here is an excerpt from a university about using capacitors to increase power factor:

"Adding too much capacitance can push the system from “lagging” to “leading”; for example, adding too much capacitance may change the power factor from 95% lagging to 95% leading. Although leading power factor does not harm equipment, purchasing excess capacitors is expensive and serves no useful purpose. In addition, some meters may read a leading 95% power factor as 95% lagging. If so, you would not get credit for the power factor correction from 95% to 100%. (Other utility meters would read a power factor of 95% leading as 100%). Because of these reasons, we recommend a conservative approach to power factor correction in which we never overcorrect the power factor past 100%".

PowerwoRx e3 provides protection from Surges and Spikes coming in on the main power line, as well as internal threats such as those originating on a branch circuit. Although electrical appliances and electronics in the branch circuit where the surge or spike originated are exposed, once it reaches the main power panel where the PowerwoRx e3 is connected the surge or spike will be arrested. Considering there are typically 15-20 branch circuits in a typical home, the risk exposure is minimal.

It should be understood there are two additional paths which a surge or spike can enter the home from which are NOT protected by the PowerwoRx e3. These two paths are your cable service and your phone service. The only way to protect a

“surge back feed” through cable and phone wiring is to provide surge protection on all three sources of entry that includes your electrical system, cable system and phone system. Cable and Phone surge suppressors are available from most electrical suppliers.

Surges can be classified as external and internal. External surges are generally more severe than internal surges while internal surges generally occur more frequently (about 80% of all surges are internal). External surges are frequently caused by storms and normal power company switching operations. Internal surges occur when equipment within the building is cycling on and off.

Very large surges occur infrequently (from a few times a year in medium exposure areas to 40 times a year in high exposure areas) since they are mainly storm induced (lightning and temporary interruptions due to storm damage), but surges over 1000 volts may occur many times a day since they are caused by normal equipment operation.

PowerwoRx is not a solution for brownouts or power interruptions which last more than a few milliseconds. Many customers complain of these types of power issues and the only solution for insuring an uninterrupted supply of electricity is a UPS, or uninterruptable power supply. These devises are much like what is used to power computers, just much bigger. The PowerwoRx would be able to help resolve issues with harmonics, noise, surges or spikes, but the PowerwoRx cannot help with power dropouts that last more than 2 cycles or 1/30th of a second.

It should be noted that the major risk in a power dropout or brownout condition is when the power comes back on. At the point at which power is restored, all inductive loads come on at the same time, creating damaging power spikes and distortion (noise and harmonics). The PowerwoRx provides protection for this damaging condition.

The surge & spike protection is accomplished by a device called an MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor). When the voltage rises significantly above the rated voltage (+20%), the MOV turns on and the voltage is shunted to ground, insuring the system doesn’t see the spike or surge. By definition this is considered a spike arrestor. The other components in the PowerwoRx, the harmonic filters and electrolytic capacitors act as suppressors by capturing the small surges and spikes that come down the line.

Confusion often occurs because logic would say that the unit should be connected in series like a fuse or breaker, so when there is a surge or spike the PowerwoRx would open the line. This line of thinking is logical but that is not how this device or others like it operate.

Regarding the 12 gauge wiring, logic would also say that no wire that small could handle 40,000 amps (max rating of the PowerwoRx). What needs to be understood is the rating is based upon a very short spike, literally milliseconds in length which is occurs in a lightning strike. The product cannot handle a sustained over voltage but such occurrences are extremely uncommon.

Back-up power generators are becoming more and more common in home applications as well as commercial, often run off propane or natural gas as a protection for power outages. PowerwoRx is an excellent addition to a system which incorporates a back-up generator for several reasons:

‐ In the switchover process which is typically automatic, as the generator comes on line and the relay which connects the generator to the main panel is closed, typically a spike in power is induced. The PowerwoRx e3 will clamp this spike, thereby protecting appliances and electronics.
‐ Power supplied by back-up generators is typically not clean – meaning the noise and harmonic content is high. The PowerwoRx e3 will reduce the overall noise and harmonics.
‐ Back-up generators are typically not sized to run all appliances. In some instances loads will exceed the rated output. PowerwoRx reduces KVA demand from the generator by supplying the reactive power to inductive loads. This means that a customer can realize additional capacity from their generator they would not have had without PowerwoRx e3.
‐ PowerwoRx will help to reduce I2R losses when powering inductive loads. One note of caution: Most back-up generators are connected to a sub panel which powers a select group of circuits so as to not overload the generator. The installing electrician must take this into account. If the PowerwoRx e3 is placed on the main panel and a contactor to isolate a sub panel for back-up power loads is used, the PowerwoRx e3 will not be connected when the generator is engaged.

In no way will there be any detrimental effects to either the PowerwoRx e3 or the generator. We highly recommend the PowerwoRx e3 for emergency backup generator applications.

PowerwoRx e3 is an excellent addition to any solar panel/wind turbine installation regardless of the configuration including the use of Reverse Metering (where electricity is fed onto the grid by the user). Some common configurations are:

‐ Solar or wind is used to supplement the systems energy needs
‐ Solar or wind is connected to the grid via a bi-directional electric meter (Reverse Metering)
‐ The system is off grid and relies on 100% solar energy for all the energy needs All three of the PowerwoRx technologies benefit a system which incorporates solar and wind energy generation:
‐ Surges & spikes are more frequently internally generated than external. Solar Power Center protection is accomplished by a device called an MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor). When the voltage rises the PowerwoRx prevents the spike from potentially damaging the expensive electronics including the Inverter.
‐ Harmonics are more prevalent in a solar generated power system due to the nature of how the AC waveform is created by the Inverter. These Harmonics waste electricity, are damaging to appliances and electronics. PowerwoRx significantly reduces Harmonics and Noise in the system
‐ Improved Power Factor translates into reduced I2R losses, increasing system capacity and reducing energy use

The PowerwoRx is connected in parallel (not like a fuse which is in series) so in no case will the supply of electricity to the home be affected. If the home is hit with a surge & spike of great magnitude like what would occur from a lightning strike in the area, and the PowerwoRx e3 sacrifices itself, the result is the PowerwoRx will no longer be operational. This is indicated by:

1. One or both lights will no longer be lit.
2. There is typically a strong smell of a damaged electrical device. This is normal and indicates the unit has sacrificed itself in order to protect your homes electronics and appliances.

In either case it is just as if the PowerwoRx had been disconnected from the panel, meaning the home will no longer be completely protected and a replacement unit should be ordered immediately. Remember, PowerwoRx carries a 10-year warranty, and the only limitation is the product must be installed by a licensed qualified electrician.

Surges and spikes often come through paths other than the main incoming electrical line. The PowerwoRx is effective at arresting these surges and spikes but the owner must realize that the surge or spike must reach the PowerwoRx. This means that any electrical appliances or devices on the branch circuit where the surge or spike originates will potentially be damaged since they are located before the PowerwoRx. For this reason point-of-use surge suppressors should be incorporated on very costly or sensitive electronics.

The PowerwoRx Demonstration Case is an excellent way to show exactly what the PowerwoRx is doing with regards to a motor load. When first turning on the demo case we see that the current coming to the case (what we call the SUPPLY side) is the same as what is going to the motor (LOAD side). Once the PowerwoRx in the case is turned on, the current coming into the case (supply side) drops, yet the current going to the motor (load side) is the same. This is because on every cycle of the AC waveform, literally 60 times per second, the PowerwoRx is storing reactive current and supplying it to the motor when it needs it. In essence the PowerwoRx is recycling energy which otherwise would have been wasted. When then the PowerwoRx in the demo case was turned off, the PowerwoRx in the home was storing this reactive energy and supplying it back to the motor. Since the motor always received the current necessary to run, approximately 1.2A, the meters don’t show any signs of a PowerwoRx in the home. A person would have to go back to the 200A electric panel and take an inductive current meter around the incoming power line at the top of the panel to see the effects of the PowerwoRx mounted in the home. This is a typical method to show that the PowerwoRx is not only working, but is having a very positive effect. But when the PowerwoRx is turned on in the demo case, now the PowerwoRx closest to the load takes over the responsibility to store and supply (recycle) the otherwise wasted reactive current, which is why we see a drop in the current in the demo case. Even if a home 5 PowerwoRx installed it would be the same, because the PowerwoRx in the case will always be the closest and therefore it will always be the device to recycle the current.

Adding capacitance will always change the amount of current coming into the electrical panel as long as there is at least one inductive load turned on. With inductive loads activated, the Power Factor will always change and there is never a case where the amount of current being drawn from the utility or generator will stay the same.

The confusion is typically where the measurements are made. A common mistake is placing the clamp meter around the wires going to a load like the Heat Pump. As the previous question details, the current on the load side will always be the same.

We suggest the installer verify PowerwoRx is properly operating. By reading the current being drawn on either L1 or L2, and then switching the PowerwoRx on and off will show a difference in current. The percentage difference between current draw with PowerwoRx on and PowerwoRx off is dependent on initial Power Factor and the number of inductive loads.

Using a typical current clamp meter measure the current going to the RED and BLACK wires on the PowerwoRx unit. An installed and operational PowerwoRx e3 unit should "draw" (but not consume) approximately 2.75 amps. Another way to show proper operation is using a Power Factor meter on the lines feeding the panel which the unit is installed. With inductive loads connected to the panel and running, turn the units breaker on and then off. You will see the overall current drop with the unit on due to a reduction in reactive current. You will also see the Power Factor (PF) increase with the unit on and decrease with the unit off. Be aware that if little or no inductive loads are operating when doing this test, the meter may show what appears to be a decrease in Power Factor. If you look closely at the meter, you will see that the Power Factor display is showing that the PF went from lagging to leading. We suggest turning on some inductive loads so the PF stays lagging but shows an increase.

It is important to remember that Power Factor measurements are a “snapshot” in time. On a residence, don’t be looking for the PF to go from 78% to 96%. The PowerwoRx e3 has a fixed amount of capacitance based upon average consumption for a typical 200A residential application. From studies of many homes, we know the PowerwoRx e3 will raise the average PF to approximately 95%. Some electricians have voiced concern that during their measurements, the Power Factor rose up only 5 or 10% and is still below 90%. Again, this is a snapshot, and in most cases the measurement was taken with the majority of inductive loads turned on. Our goal when using a Current Meter/Power Factor Meter to validate that the unit is working and to show the customer that when the unit turns on the current drops and Power Factor goes up. The amount of decrease/increase is inconsequential for the purpose of the test.

The e-CoMeter has been developed by Continental Power to show the overall harmonic and noise level on the AC line. The actual reading of 0-1999 does not correspond to any specific value such as volts or frequency, but should be considered a relative level of harmonics and noise. By taking an initial reading, the distributor can show the building owner or occupant the current reading - the lower the number, the better power quality. A good demonstration to the customer is to show what the current level is and then plug in a PowerwoRx e3 with a standard ‘B’ plug connected into the same outlet. You will typically see a reduction of 60-90%. If the meter reads 2---, or shows no numbers, the meter is in an “Over Range” condition, meaning the actual value is above the maximum displayable value of 1999. In these cases the distributor should point out to the customer that the Noise and Harmonics are exceptionally high and action should be taken to protect their electronics and appliances.