Generator backfeeding into utility lines

[RonMar]

Or look into using a Generlink.

www.generlink.com

Cool concept, but when I looked into it a while back, it was nearly as expensive as putting in a dedicated transfer switch...

 

[timswi]

From what I have read about the Gulf Stream system it dosn't feed back it has a built in transfer between your shore power and the Gulf Stream generator.. If you walk into your trailer and turn a light on and it's not plugged into shore power the genny will start.. am I right on this ?? and if you walk in and turn on the same light and your plugged in the genny dosn't start,, " No Back Feeding involved"





There is nothing wrong with feeding a house with a generator that is sized for the house and has the proper transfer switch installed..

My MH doesn't have a transfer switch, the AC cable must be manually plugged into the generator recepticle...Mine's a little low tech in that department. Very similar to back feeding a house. It is a closed loop though.

 

[Redneck in training]

We need to get the terminology right.
It is FEEDING the house and BACKFEEDING the power grid. Feeding the house is what you want to do while backfeeding the grid is what you don't want to do. Transfer switch or "island" operation takes care of it.

 

[timswi]

We need to get the terminology right.
It is FEEDING the house and BACKFEEDING the power grid. Feeding the house is what you want to do while backfeeding the grid is what you don't want to do. Transfer switch or "island" operation takes care of it.

I don't disagree at all..Seems the terms became interchangable..I would NEVER backfeed the overheads, or even try. I feed my house, even though many call it backfeeding anyway.

 

[JB4310]

Backfeeding seems to be an acceptable term when referring to powering the house thru an existing outlet (female) Since the flow is in reverse on that circuit.

I spoke to a lineman last week, they have been working 16 hour days since the arboreal holocaust here in the North East caused 2 million outages.
I asked him if he heard of any lineman being injured or heard of any grid back feeding stories, he said no.

Not diminishing the threat, but there were more bozos running generators here than probably any other outage in history. I would of thought there would of been some instances of back feeding the grid making the news.

JB

 

[bjmsam]

Lots of good info in this old thread. Quick question below.

I too have 400amp service at a central farm distribution point. It was easier and cheaper to have my utility put in a special hook-up. Transconnect unit. Similar to the generlink, a special collar moves the meter out about 4 inches. It then has a special pigtail which connects another box. The other box has all the automatic transfer and disconnect circuitry. I have a full power plug (dual modular anderson 350amp gray with 2/0 pins) The same which is on the pto generator. This really works well for me. I have feeds going out from here to the shop, run-in shed, barn, and large house. Each with there own panels.:thumbsup:

I looked all over the place and the 400amp transfer switch is made of gold. A lot really depends on your utility. I am in Northern Virginia, and have Rappahannock Electric Coop. Here is there pricing page of switches REC Electrical Services Prices I talked with them and was able to bump up into the next size switch. I also paid a little more than the $1,400 which is the 25kw.

If you look at the break down of what it would cost with;
400amp transfer switch
wiring
electrician labor
utility to pull meter and put back
permit
it really adds up. I am sure it would be more than the $1,400. And since the utility did it, they have a permanent permit

Why does the label say 200A rather than 400A? According to the specs:

• 200amp and 400amp service versions
• (1) 200amp or (2) 200amp service disconnect breakers to meet local code requirements
• Available in 100amp and 200amp generator size

Will this allow me to connect a 15KW PTO generator to my 400A service that has two 200A exterior disconnects feeding one interior panel each?

 

[robstaples]

I'm not sure I understand your questions. If your already own this Transconnect switch then you could use it temporarily to plug in when your power is out and feed from your PTO seeing that process isn't automatic. Your gen would feed both panels up to its limit. when utility power is restored you'd want to take this out of the path ( unplug meter etc) because it is not rated for 400 amps. the 200/400 question... the picture is of a device rated at 160 amps continuous duty. If your were told something else, that's not what you got.

 

[bjmsam]

In the posts I quoted above, daybreak1998 stated that he has a 400A service but provided a photo of what appears to be a 200A Transconnect switch.

Question 1: Why?

Question 2: When I buy a Transconnect switch for my 400A service, should I not expect to see "400 peak utility amps" printed on the label to indicate that it is the 400A version?

 

[robstaples]

I think you should talk to the vendor. The spec describes 3 different models. only the " non metered base" model mentions 400 amps. The convenient retro fit model makes no reference to amperage. Wiring in a manual transfer switch is probably best for a pto generator and a 400 amp servive. You may have to shed some load anyway depending on what wants to run.

 

[daybreak1998]

In the posts I quoted above, daybreak1998 stated that he has a 400A service but provided a photo of what appears to be a 200A Transconnect switch.

Question 1: Why?

Question 2: When I buy a Transconnect switch for my 400A service, should I not expect to see "400 peak utility amps" printed on the label to indicate that it is the 400A version?

Howdy,
Before you go any further, I would get your utility on the phone to find out if these units are approved for your area.

Do you have 400amp service with 320/400amp meter? Do you have a main service disconnect? (1 400 amp? or dual 200amp breakers?)

Yes, I use my 30kw pto generator with mine. So obviously, a 15kw pto generator will work.

The thread generator transfer switch choices has lots of info