What's this?

[Richard G. Gilman, Jr.]

Any ideas what this is above the meter? I've never seen one before. Thanks for your help?

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by rgilman1

Any ideas what this is above the meter? I've never seen one before. Thanks for your help?

WAG-a photo eye to control power to a water heater for a reduced rate at nighttime hours.

[Buck Hartley, CMI]

I would ask the local power company.

[Marc D. Shunk]

That's one of the old water heater load management relays that ran on the old 720hz signal. Most of these have been abandoned. I recognize that particular model, and it is one that contains a heck of a lot of mercury inside the big tilt switch. Here's an interior view:

[Richard G. Gilman, Jr.]

Thanks for the input, learn something new every day!!

[Justin D. Schlueter]

Originally Posted by Marc D. Shunk

That's one of the old water heater load management relays that ran on the old 720hz signal. Most of these have been abandoned. I recognize that particular model, and it is one that contains a heck of a lot of mercury inside the big tilt switch.

Marc,

Do you have any other info on how something like this worked? I've heard of such a thing before, but never really understood it. Did the power company transpose a signal on the normal distribution line that would be picked up by the load management device?

Thanks.

[Marc D. Shunk]

Originally Posted by Justin D. Schlueter

Marc,

Do you have any other info on how something like this worked? I've heard of such a thing before, but never really understood it. Did the power company transpose a signal on the normal distribution line that would be picked up by the load management device?

Thanks.

You got it. In most cases, that signal was at 720Hz.