Generator question (household wiring to be more accurate)

[buickanddeere]

That's all well and good if you have a generator in the "typical location" near the service entrance, but what would be the downsides to using it for a non-typically located generator (like the OP is looking to setup)?

Aaron Z

Non standard setup tend to have no standard challenges in service and operation. If the fire department showed up and had to cut power. They know how to flip a transfer switch or pull a meter out of a base.
A kirkkey setup will delay emergency services and may increase hazards .
It's not going to save any time or money to jerry rig a system. A 200amp service entrance transfer switch is plain, simple , reliable and low cost. Why insist on re-inventing the wheel?

 

[aczlan]

Non standard setup tend to have no standard challenges in service and operation. If the fire department showed up and had to cut power. They know how to flip a transfer switch or pull a meter out of a base.
A kirkkey setup will delay emergency services and may increase hazards .
It's not going to save any time or money to jerry rig a system. A 200amp service entrance transfer switch is plain, simple , reliable and low cost. Why insist on re-inventing the wheel?

Define low cost. Most I have looked at were $600+ not counting the wire to feed the genset or to re-wire the meterbase to panel connection?
Also, its more flexible, why mount the generator next to the house (where it is in plain view from the road, is ugly and in the way) when I can put it in the barn where it is out of the way and can be locked up?
As for confusing the fire dept, how would it be different than a panel mounted interlock (such as a Square D HOMCGK2C)?

Aaron Z

 

[daybreak1998]

As for confusing the fire dept, how would it be different than a panel mounted interlock (such as a Square D HOMCGK2C)?

Aaron Z

Howdy,
example. Power is out for the whole area. You have this setup. Fire department responds to a fire, they find your main panel and meter. They pull the meter thinking they are good to go. ZZZzzzaaapppp. You do not have a google map showing the location of where the power is coming from.

 

[aczlan]

Howdy,
example. Power is out for the whole area. You have this setup. Fire department responds to a fire, they find your main panel and meter. They pull the meter thinking they are good to go. ZZZzzzaaapppp. You do not have a google map showing the location of where the power is coming from.

So, just like if I had the Square D interlock on my inside main panel and a genset on a dedicated run out to the barn then, or an INSIDE auto transfer switch with a generator on the opposite side of the house.
That's why there will be a label on the panel (which will be outside and will be a joint panel/meter base) stating that generator power comes in on circuit X.
I work with industrial electricians, we have label printers. They would have no problem printing up "warning this panel powered by multiple sources" and "generator power comes in via breaker 2" labels (if I didn't want to get them from Amazon).
Here is an example of one such label:
SmartSign "Danger: Equipment Has Multiple Power Sources", Vinyl Label, 5" x 7": Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific


Aaron Z

 

[MossRoad]

Howdy,
example. Power is out for the whole area. You have this setup. Fire department responds to a fire, they find your main panel and meter. They pull the meter thinking they are good to go. ZZZzzzaaapppp. You do not have a google map showing the location of where the power is coming from.

That would apply to any house with a generator and a transfer switch as well as a kirk key setup or an on-off-on switch.

 

[buickanddeere]

Howdy,
example. Power is out for the whole area. You have this setup. Fire department responds to a fire, they find your main panel and meter. They pull the meter thinking they are good to go. ZZZzzzaaapppp. You do not have a google map showing the location of where the power is coming from.

I would like to know how the guy is just so sure that he knows more than the experts that wrote the national Electrical Code, the National Building Code and the national Fire Code.

 

[aczlan]

I would like to know how the guy is just so sure that he knows more than the experts that wrote the national Electrical Code, the National Building Code and the national Fire Code.

Are you referring to me? If so, that is a little different than what you said back in Oct of 2014:

I'm going to have to eat 1/2 a crow here . While drawing out the wiring plan with the existing conductors and using a Kirk-key on the generator breaker and a Kirk-key at the house 200amp main breaker for the electrical Code Inspector this morning. Well darn, I realized that I missed something . It is legal.
The plan B however to pull generator powered conductors into the same conduit as the regular supply to the barn. This made the Inspector growl and say no d@mmed way.

Aaron Z

 

[MossRoad]

CROW CASSEROLE
1/2 dozen crow breasts
1 qt. sauerkraut
1/2 dozen strips bacon
1/3 c. chopped onion
In skillet brown the crow breasts, then place them on a 1 1/2" layer of sauerkraut in bottom of a casserole. Cover each piece of meat with a strip of bacon and sprinkle the onion over them. Cover the breast with another layer of sauerkraut and pour sauerkraut juice over it. Bake two hours in oven heated to 350 degrees.

 

[lennyzx11]

I scanned the thread but may have missed this if it was already posted.
This is a block also but not a secure as a Kirk switch by any means.


Just adding this in. I thought about it but just continue to run cords to the refrigerator and some lamps when we lose power.

 

[RalphVa]

We've a 12.5 kw generator on one 200 amp panel. Has 2 frigs, 2 freezers, 2 heat pumps, well pump, 1 hot water heater, 1 clothes drier and virtually all the lights plus MBR, family room, 2 kitchens. Has 6 breakers rigged through "smart" circuits that only let them on if there's enough room. It's a Gentron panel. Works great. Wife has actually used the clothes drier once in a power failure. Both the upstairs heat pump and basement ductless units are on it.

Ralph