zz

HotDrop User Manual Revision 1 .1 - Apri l 2025

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 2 www.vutility.com HOTDROP USER MANUAL

Table Of Contents

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS PAGE 03

INTRODUCTION PAGE 04

HOTDROP SCOPING PAGE 05

HOTDROP DEVICES PAGE 07

HOTDROP INSTALLATION PAGE 08

TROUBLESHOOTING PAGE 11

HOTDROP SPECIFICATIONS PAGE 12

APPENDIX A / APPENDIX B PAGE 13

DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY PAGE 16

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 3

This manual and labels on the device provide important safety warnings to be read and always observed.

YOUR SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHERS IS PARAMOUNT

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

This is the attention symbol, pertaining to safety, which alerts users to potential risks to themselves and others

Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided may cause serious injury.

DANGER

Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided may cause injury or damage the device.

WARNING

This device should only be installed and serviced by a licensed electrician. This device should only be installed and serviced by a licensed electrician.

•• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) rated for the electricalUse appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) rated for the electrical source.source.

•• Risk of fire or explosion: Device is not rated for use in explosive or flammableRisk of fire or explosion: Device is not rated for use in explosive or flammable atmospheres.atmospheres.

•• Risk of electric shock: Device is not rated for use in wet or condensing humidityRisk of electric shock: Device is not rated for use in wet or condensing humidity environments.environments.

•• Risk of electric shock: High voltage, do not open or disassemble. The deviceRisk of electric shock: High voltage, do not open or disassemble. The device contains no user serviceable components.contains no user serviceable components.

•• Risk of electric shock: Use only approved accessories and cable harnesses.Risk of electric shock: Use only approved accessories and cable harnesses.

•• Risk of electric shock: Phase cable harnesses must be disconnected from de-Risk of electric shock: Phase cable harnesses must be disconnected from de-vice before servicing GND connection.vice before servicing GND connection.

DANGER

• Ensure that GND lug screw is present before attempting installation.

• Follow installation procedures, ensure that GND is connected before connecting phase input cable harnesses.

• Do not exceed maximum voltage ratings. The device is not designed for delta type circuits, including those with a neutral line.

• Do not exceed device temperature ratings.

• The device contains magnets. Exercise caution around pacemakers and other medical devices.

• Do not drill screw mounting point in a live electrical panel.

• Do not insert foreign objects or use excessive force on connectors.

Do not use this product in a manner that is not specified in this manual. Misuse of the VoltDrop may impair the user’s protection.

Note: Per NEC Code a Disconnecting Means/Overcurrent Protection must be installed on all electrical systems. It is the customer’s responsibility to meet all applicable codes. VoltDrop is intended to be installed downstream from Disconnecting Means/Overcurrent Protection on the circuit being monitored.

WARNING

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 4

INTRODUCTION

This document provides operating, maintenance, and installation instructions for Vutility’s HotDrop.

HotDrop is a wireless, self-powered, current transformer (CT) intended to monitor amperage, maximum amperage, minimum amperage, and amp-hours on any current carrying conductor up to 600V AC. HotDrop is intended to be installed and is rated for indoor applications.

HotDrop has six sizes including the 300A (15.7mm D), 400A (1.25” x 1.25”), 1000A (2” x 2”), 1500A (3.1” x 3.5”), 4000A (4” x 6”) and 4000A XL (5” x 7”).

HotDrop uses LoRaWAN for long range, wireless communications. An 11-byte packet is transmitted which provides the highest probability that the data will make it from inside a metal enclosure to a LoRaWAN gateway.

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 5

HotDrop Scoping

1. Circuit Determine the circuit where the HotDrop(s) will be installed.

Note: Count the conductors to determine if the circuit is a two-wire single phase (one HotDrop), three-wire single phase (two HotDrops) or, three or four-wire three phase circuit (three HotDrops) to determine the number of HotDrops required.

Note : Vutility recommends a HotDrop on each hot conductor.

2. One-Line Electrical Drawing

Vutility will provide scoping of HotDrops for our customers. To do this, Vutility requires one-line electrical drawings and pictures of the conductors. If possible, the pictures need to show the conductor size and insulation type. (See below.) Note: On circuits above 600A there can be multiple conductors paralleled to the breaker which will require a larger sized HotDrop.

The correct HotDrop for the given conductor(s) can be determined once the conductor size that the HotDrop will be installed on is determined. Using the table below and the conductor(s) size, select the appropriately sized HotDrop. Note: This table only includes THHN and THW insulation. Different insulation will have different diameters, and this must be considered. The window size can be used to size HotDrops for multiple conductors.

3. Location

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 6

HotDrop Scoping

Note: All applicable electrical codes and best practices must be followed when scoping HotDrops.

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 7

HotDrop Devices

400A, 1000A, 1500A, 4000A HOTDROPS

300 A HOT DROP

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 8

Onboard the HotDrop via Vutility’s InVU Application with an internet-connected device [ex-ample: IOS or Android].

If a VoltDrop is being used with the HotDrop(s), onboard the device via Vutility’s InVU application with an Internet connected device [example: IOS or Android].

HotDrop Installation Note: It is recommended that a licensed electrician install the HotDrop.

Tools for Installation

Color Codes - Table 1

Identify the conductor to install the HotDrop on. Cables are grouped by Phases: L1, L2, L3.

Table 1 below shows the phase color codes for different countries and voltages. It is the installer’s responsibility to confirm the correct phases.

Required Tools:

• Proper PPE is a must!

• Standard hand tools necessary to remove the electrical panel cover

Recommended Tools:

• Impact Drill

• 10-in-1 Multi-tip screwdriver

• Assorted nut drivers

Onboard HotDrop

Onboard VoltDrop

Identify Cable

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 9

HotDrop Installation

It is highly recommended that the HotDrops be pre-charged before installing them in a panel. Pre-charging the HotDrops allows data to be sent to the Vutility Cloud (or customer system) to verify that the HotDrop works correctly. Pre-charging along with reading the amperage in the conductor with a clamp-on ammeter allows the customer to know that everything is working correctly. Pre-charging can be done using a USB-mini cable plugged into the HotDrop core’s USB-mini port.

i. Plug a USB wall charger into an outlet.

ii. Plug the USB cable into the USB wall charger.

iii. Plug the cable into the USB-mini port on the HotDrop.

iv. The HotDrop will join the Vutility Cloud or the customer LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS) within one minute of plugging the USB charger into the USB port on the core. Charge the HotDrop for at least three minutes before removing the USB cable if you want to have the HotDrop operate off of the capacitors.

v. Observe the LED on the top of the HotDrop core. Once the HotDrop is powered, the RED LED will begin blinking a series of 20 blinks as the core boots up. After the boot-up, the de-vice will attempt to Join the LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS). While trying to join the LNS, the LED will have (3) RED blinks. When the HotDrop joins the LNS, the core LED will blink 2 RED Blinks. This is the normal operation state for the HotDrop. LoRaWAN packets with minute-by-minute circuit data will start flowing. Once joined to the LNS and data flow is confirmed (Step 17), the installation has been completed successfully.

Note: Most cellphone battery chargers will not pre-charge a HotDrop. HotDrops draw so little amperage that the battery charger doesn’t detect a load and shuts off.

Test the conductor with a clamp-on ammeter to determine what current is flowing through the conductor. This will allow the installer to know what value should be seen on a visu-alization application like ReVU. If the amperage limit is below the minimum amperage for normal operation this indicates that the HotDrop is in low power mode and will probably not communicate on a regular basis.

Pre-charge HotDrop

Test the Cable

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 10

Ensure that the HotDrop antenna is oriented in a position parallel to the gateway’s anten-

na. A perpendicular orientation may cause communication issues.

Repeat steps 2 - 7 for phase L2 and L3 (if required).

Using ReVu (or third-party visualization), view the data for the HotDrop to make sure that correct data is transmitted.

HotDrop Installation

Use the HotDrop tool to open the latch (300A HotDrop) or press the buttons on each side of the 400A, 1000A, 1500A or 4000A HotDrops to open the split-core HotDrop.

Note: 300A latch can break if forced open, be gentle!

Install the HotDrop over the conductor to be measured and clip the latch or split-core HotDrop closed.

6 Prepare HotDrop for Installation

Install HotDrop

Repeaty for Other Phases

Position Antenna

Verify Data

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 11

Troubleshooting LED Status & Diagnostic Patterns The LED diagnostic conditions described below is on the Core which contains the radio antenna and uses a Red LED to communicate status (including the device’s LoRaWAN status). The blink patterns described in Table 9.1 are displayed on the Core during operation.

Note: HotDrop periodically sends a LoRaWAN LinkCheckReq which means it could take up to 2 hours for it a LinkCheckReq fail, power-cycle and attempt to rejoin a network .

Additional Troubleshooting Information

• Using ReVU, ensure that the SNR is a positive value, and that RSSI is greater than -115.

• For cellular backhaul, make sure that the signal is strong enough. Note that bars on a phone do not always give a true indicator of the cell signal.

• Make sure that there is enough current flowing in the conductor. Using ReVU or another visualization tool, check to make sure that the supply voltage (capacitor voltage) is above 3.4V. The chart below shows the HotDrop capacitor voltage (supply voltage) power levels for full operation, low power transmit, measurement only, and non-operational.

LED Pattern Condition Device State

1 Red Blink or Solid Red Low Power Mode Core has lost power and will eventually stop transmitting. Check that the core is seated securely in socket and that the retaining ring is latched into position.

2 Red Blinks Normal Operation The device is functioning as expected.

3 Red Blinks Join Attempt In-Progess The device is functioning as expected.

20 Red Blinks Power-On Initialization The device is functioning as expected.

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 12

Specifications

Device Operational Characteristics

Min Typical Max Unit

Voltage 85 - 305 VAC

Frequency 47 - 63 Hz

Operating Current (277

VAC)

- 0.015 0.12 A

Temperature Range 2 - 80 °C

Humidity - <60 80 %RH

Overvoltage Category CAT III 300 VAC

Pollution Degree 2

Operational Altitude 2000m

Mechanical Characteristics

Weight

IP Degree of Protection IP51 (indoors)

Window Size 300A - 0.625" x 0.625" [16 x 16 mm] 400A - 1.25” x 1.25” [32 x 32 mm] 1000A - 2” x 2” [51 x 51 mm] 1500A - 3.1” x 3.5” [80 x 90 mm] 4000A - 4.1” x 6.1” [105 x 155 mm]

Communications

Interface Standard and Protocol LoRaWAN specification 1.0.2

LoRaWAN Regional Specification 1.0.2B

Frequency US915/EU868/AS923-1

LoRaWAN Class Class A

Warranty

One year from date of purchase.

NOTE: Repair is by the manufacturer only. Opening VoltDrop voids the warranty.

300A - 2.3oz 400A - 8.7oz 1000A - 1 lbs. 4.3oz 1500A - 2 lbs. 7oz 4000A - 5 lbs. 11oz

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 13

Appendix A – HotDrop Minimum Amperage for Normal Operation Below are the minimum amperage flows for each HotDrop.

Appendix B – Time to Charge

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 14

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah Page - 15

Vutility 986 W 9000 S, West Jordan, Utah

Date Revision Changes

02.22.2024 Initial release

Document revision history

A.01 Cleaned up formatting and removed unnecessary verbiage.

Removed information on ReVU and InVU.

04.29.2025

Page - 16