3-Point Hitch PTO Generator arrived today

[SteveM70]

It sound's like break the connection to the grid then make the connection to your genny.
That's how my manual transfer switch works. It's a guillotine or knife (terminology?) type switch that in one spring assisted motion disconnects one source and drops into the other, never the 2 (sources) shall meet. Not super expensive, $400 in a weather proof outside enclosure.

Yep. Basically breakers can fail (weld closed or even build up enough carbon for electricity to track through, and folks forget to trip them) but the knife switch is a fail safe since it's not possible for the power from the utilities and the generator to meet.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Yep. Basically breakers can fail (weld closed or even build up enough carbon for electricity to track through, and folks forget to trip them) but the knife switch is a fail safe since it's not possible for the power from the utilities and the generator to meet.

This makes sense! I always wondered what the issue was with using breakers.

 

[fried1765]

It sound's like break the connection to the grid then make the connection to your genny.
That's how my manual transfer switch works. It's a guillotine or knife (terminology?) type switch that in one spring assisted motion disconnects one source and drops into the other, never the 2 (sources) shall meet. Not super expensive, $400 in a weather proof outside enclosure.

When the main service entrance breaker (200A?) is opened (manually) there is absolutely no way for current to back feed through the utility lines;
Current can then be fed from the generator to the other breakers in the panel, through any available closed breaker with suitable amperage rating.

 

[grsthegreat]

You know, a manual transfer interlock kit costs about $89.00 online, takes 20minutes to install. I cant believe i wasted that much time reading thru this thread.

 

[pmsmechanic]

When the main service entrance breaker (200A?) is opened (manually) there is absolutely no way for current to back feed through the utility lines;
Current can then be fed from the generator to the other breakers in the panel, through any available closed breaker with suitable amperage rating.

If this is true then why isn't this method universally accepted as meeting code? As far as I'm aware of in Alberta it doesn't fulfill code requirements.

I'm just going to add that for the above method to meet code there needs to be an interlock between the two breakers so that only one can be on at a time.

 

[fried1765]

You know, a manual transfer interlock kit costs about $89.00 online, takes 20minutes to install. I cant believe i wasted that much time reading thru this thread.

So sorry that you have wasted your time reading this thread.
Hopefully, you will be able to devote your efforts more productively in the future.

 

[fried1765]

If this is true then why isn't this method universally accepted as meeting code? As far as I'm aware of in Alberta it doesn't fulfill code requirements.

I'm just going to add that for the above method to meet code there needs to be an interlock between the two breakers so that only one can be on at a time.

Perhaps there is a more straightforward way to put this. There needs to be a human body, with a usable head on it, that is not up and locked.
"Code" is often written only to protect people from their own stupidity.
This being one of those issues.

 

[Rustyiron]

When the main service entrance breaker (200A?) is opened (manually) there is absolutely no way for current to back feed through the utility lines;
Current can then be fed from the generator to the other breakers in the panel, through any available closed breaker with suitable amperage rating.

I wasn't arguing your point, just explaining my interpretation of buick& deere's "break before make" saying. I had never heard that before and your response mentioned "breaker" over just break, I thought you mis understood him.
I am not a code freak, I throw out shop & exterior GFI receptacles once inspected but chose to go with the proper transfer switch for my set up. I also have a 30k generator. Back feeding is a little different with that big of a spoon.:thumbsup:

 

[buickanddeere]

What is that supposed to mean?
Sure....tell me why "all the power utilities mandate the use of a breaker before make transfer switch"

If you don稚 understand by now . One more explanation is not going to make any difference .

 

[buickanddeere]

When the main service entrance breaker (200A?) is opened (manually) there is absolutely no way for current to back feed through the utility lines;
Current can then be fed from the generator to the other breakers in the panel, through any available closed breaker with suitable amperage rating.

You still are not understanding this . There has to be a fail safe switch to prevent interconnection of the separately derived power supply and the utility