CT Sensors - Bi-directional current detection

The 200A CTs are able to detect bi-directional energy flow, but the 50A CTs are not capable yet. 

NOTE! This limitation is actually on the device ports, not the sensors. Using a 200A CT in a side-port on the device (rather than top port) will not provide bi-directional current detection.

We are working on this firmware update in the future to make the functionality available for all our sensors/ports, but right now the 50A CTs are not able to see energy flow in both directions.

This limitation causes the following discrepancies: 

1.) This can cause a small issue on the Emporia app where the 50A CTs monitoring a solar line will detect a few watts of energy production at night when no energy is being generated. This false production comes from the solar inverter consumption that still pulls some power to function at night, and it's wrongly shown as generation because the 50A CTs are not bi-directional.
2.) Batteries - the 50A CT will see both charge and discharge behavior, but will only be able to tag all usage as either production or consumption.
3.) Sub-panels/downstream solar which causes bi-directional current flow through branch circuit lines monitored w/ a 50A CT. If you're monitoring sub-panel feeder lines from a main panel where the solar can "backfeed" into the main panel, then the reversed flow of current will be tracked as consumption. 

Feedback and Suggestions

This knowledge base is pretty new for the Emporia team. Our goal is to provide all of the information we can to help you manage your energy in better ways. If this article wasn't helpful, or we could be more clarifying on any points please reach out to the Customer Support team and we'll certainly work to improve these guides.