Location: the grid connection point, every time
The CT clamps on the live conductor at the grid connection point — the main incomer. That is the only position where it sees the site’s total import and export in a single measurement. On a sub-circuit or load branch, the CT sees only the slice of current flowing through that one circuit. Every control decision built on that partial view is wrong — self-use logic, export limiting, and the display figures are all corrupted.Direction: arrow toward the grid — the universal Kent rule
On both Kent platforms, the arrow printed on the body of the CT points toward the grid. The Kent G3 source manual is explicit about the consequence: installed in the wrong direction, the hybrid cannot work normally.Prove it live — the convention-proof test
Arrow direction can be argued; what the display shows with the grid on and PV off cannot. Run this test at commissioning and after any CT rework:Confirm import on the display
The display must show the site importing from the grid. If it shows export or zero with loads clearly running, the CT is reversed or on the wrong conductor.
Step a heavy load
Switch on a high-current load (geyser, kettle, iron-class). The grid import figure must rise by the load’s wattage, same sign. Photograph the display.
The software direction settings — physical before digital
Both platforms hold a CT orientation item in their settings menus. The Kent rule is to fix the physical installation first. The software setting describes the truth — it does not repair a miswire.| Platform | Menu item | Correct physical install | Software fallback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent M1 | Meter CT orientation (towards the grid) | Arrow physically toward grid | Confirm in LCD Advanced |
| Kent G3 | CT direction → Forward / Reversal | Arrow physically toward grid | Reversal only when CT cannot physically be re-clamped |
Common mistakes
CT placed on a sub-circuit because the main incomer was hard to reach
CT placed on a sub-circuit because the main incomer was hard to reach
There is no workaround for a CT on the wrong conductor. The control logic is blind to the rest of the site. Reach the main incomer.
Arrow direction set from memory, not from the Kent figure, and never live-tested
Arrow direction set from memory, not from the Kent figure, and never live-tested
The live test is mandatory. A remembered convention is not a substitute.
Using Reversal in software while the real fault was location, not direction
Using Reversal in software while the real fault was location, not direction
Reversal corrects a physically reversed clamp. It does not correct a CT in the wrong place.
Three CTs correct on direction but swapped across phases
Three CTs correct on direction but swapped across phases
Direction right, phases crossed is still a fault. That failure mode is on Meter & Phase Matching.