Generac Running, But No Power in House

[drssg]

We recently had a short power outage for about ten minutes. Our Generac whole house generator kicked on, but we still had no power in the house.

I removed the cover from the transfer switch, and there is a manual switch that requires a tool (which is provided) to manually switch the house load between the utility and the generator. This switch was in the "up" position, which I believe means the house is still trying to get power from the utility.

I was inclined to manually flip the switch to provide power to the house, but I wasn't sure if there were other steps that I should take. I don't want to damage anything or injure a lineman.

I plan to have it checked by a professional next week, but in the meantime, is it safe to just manually operate that switch, if needed?

 

[newbury]

Can you find a manual? maybe online?

 

[drssg]

I have a manual for the generator and a separate one for the transfer switch, but I don't really understand it. Here is a page that seems most relevant to me, but I'm not sure if it directly applies to my situation.

I vaguely recall the installer telling me that I could just manually flip this switch, if it failed to automatically switch over, but that was years ago.

 

[drssg]

The "Manual Operation" section above is more complicated, but it kind of sounds like it applies to the initial installation checks.

The following section looks to me like I can just flip the switch, but I'm not sure.

 

[grsthegreat]

Best thing to do is turn off the breaker inside thr generator, then manually flip the yellow handle inserted inside the transfer switch, then REMOVE HANDLE. then turn generator breaker back on.
while your at it, check both transfer coils and make sure one of the 4 wires hasnt slipped off.

i find lots of switches that have issues simply because a wire fell off. If one wire is off, gently squeeze wire connector to tighten its grip and replace wire.
PLEASE NOTE: IF a wire has fallen off of one of the coils, and power is still off, turn off generator breaker, tighten and reattach wire , then turn generator breaker back on. The transfer swirch should flip over on its own without installing manual handle. NEVER LEAVE METAL MANUAL HANDLE INSTALLED IN MECHANISM as it will bind to cabinet facing and destroy transfer mechanism when power is restored.

that mechanism points up on utility power, and down when on generator power

 

[Diggin It]

Utility Loss >> Sense >> Gen Start >> Transfer.

Utility Restore >> Sense >> Transfer >> Gen Shutdown.

Since the generator started, it sensed the utility loss. Failure to transfer ... bad coil? Loose wire to coil as suggested?



GRS ... if the MLCB in the generator is switched OFF, will the coils still transfer automatically? I should know that, but it isn't coming to me at the moment.



OP, has it transferred normally in the past?

 

[grsthegreat]

If the generator breaker is off, it will not transfer when utility power is lost. It needs power from gen to power coils.

 

[DIYOrangeDave]

I have had the same issue lately with mine. The outage goes on and off and on and off. The generator recognizes the outage and starts but the transfer switch is confused. Manually throw the transfer switch to the down position and everything will be fine. Sometimes the disconnect is not smooth and neither is the start up. DM me if I can be some help.

 

[grsthegreat]

if you have alot of on off events, the newer generac units can be programmed to wait longer, up to 5 minutes, before they start up and transfer power. this prevents alot of false starts.

 

[drssg]

Best thing to do is turn off the breaker inside thr generator, then manually flip the yellow handle inserted inside the transfer switch, then REMOVE HANDLE. then turn generator breaker back on.
while your at it, check both transfer coils and make sure one of the 4 wires hasnt slipped off.

i find lots of switches that have issues simply because a wire fell off. If one wire is off, gently squeeze wire connector to tighten its grip and replace wire.
PLEASE NOTE: IF a wire has fallen off of one of the coils, and power is still off, turn off generator breaker, tighten and reattach wire , then turn generator breaker back on. The transfer swirch should flip over on its own without installing manual handle. NEVER LEAVE METAL MANUAL HANDLE INSTALLED IN MECHANISM as it will bind to cabinet facing and destroy transfer mechanism when power is restored.

that mechanism points up on utility power, and down when on generator power

Thank you for the advice, and I can follow that procedure if this happens again during another power outage.

I'm don't know how to access the transfer coils to check the wiring, but that's outside of my comfort zone. I'll get someone who (hopefully) knows what he's doing to check it out.

FWIW, I have a second electric meter and transfer switch in my barn. I didn't check that switch, but I also didn't have power in the barn during the outage. We also had a lightning storm recently that didn't hit our house, but it still managed to destroy several electronic devices, including a laptop computer, two ethernet switches, and a network camera. My wife happened to be in the basement at the time (which is where the laptop was located), and she said it sounded like a loud metallic snap. The laptop was noticeably hot and showed no signs of life. I don't know whether this could have also destroyed something related to the transfer switches.

 

[grsthegreat]

also...make sure breaker in generator is turned on. if you have 2 switches installed on one generator and both dont switch over....im guessing your not getting power from generator. if the unit wasnt producing power, it will fault out and shut down. Since it did not shut down, i suspect a breaker issue. OR

you need to have service tech simulate power outage. also, lightning may have damaged controller. if a controler is damaged, it may not be sending the 23 wire to ground, which is the signal to command the transfer switch to swap over.

 

[drssg]

if you have alot of on off events, the newer generac units can be programmed to wait longer, up to 5 minutes, before they start up and transfer power. this prevents alot of false starts.

That's a good idea, and I'll look into it. It is somewhat common for us to have very short outages, which I suppose are due to local maintenance work. Today's outage was during beautiful and calm weather.

 

[Diggin It]

GRS ... if the MLCB in the generator is switched OFF, will the coils still transfer automatically? I should know that, but it isn't coming to me at the moment.

If the generator breaker is off, it will not transfer when utility power is lost. It needs power from gen to power coils.

That's what I thought but wasn't sure.

FWIW, I have a second electric meter and transfer switch in my barn. I didn't check that switch, but I also didn't have power in the barn during the outage.

One generator or two?

Check the main breaker inside the generator(s) for On or Off state.

And still this question:

OP, has it transferred normally in the past?

 

[drssg]

also...make sure breaker in generator is turned on. if you have 2 switches installed on one generator and both dont switch over....im guessing your not getting power from generator. if the unit wasnt producing power, it will fault out and shut down. Since it did not shut down, i suspect a breaker issue. OR

you need to have service tech simulate power outage. also, lightning may have damaged controller. if a controler is damaged, it may not be sending the 23 wire to ground, which is the signal to command the transfer switch to swap over.

That makes sense. The breaker in the generator was and is turned on. I let it run for about five minutes and then pushed the Off button, since it was just wasting propane. Then I set it back to Auto after the power came back on for a while.

It will be interesting to see what they find. This has been a costly and time-consuming set of repairs.

I previously suspect that the damage was somehow transmitted over ethernet lines, rather than electrical power. The laptop and one of the network switches were connected to a UPS, which has surge protection. The network camera that was destroyed was the only one that gets power over the ethernet line.

When they installed the generator, they accidentally cut through my direct burial ethernet line going from the house to the barn. They spliced it back together, but I'm wondering if the shielding of that line is compromised as a result. If the generator controller is also damaged, that would shoot that theory.

 

[grsthegreat]

good thing is, if its the controller may be under warranty. i cant see 2 transfer switches having wires fall off of the coil. but who knows.

i wasn't sure how old gen was.

 

[drssg]

One generator or two?

Check the main breaker inside the generator(s) for On or Off state.

And still this question: [has it functioned normally in the past]

I have one generator, and the breaker inside the generator is On.

Everything has worked flawlessly until this last experience. The generator is about 3.5 years old, and it has automatically provided power several times.

 

[Diggin It]

I've had instances where I've lost all kinds of networked gizmos and gadgets, but no main appliances or motor controlled items. Figured my hits came in via the telephone (DSL) line and hit the LAN.

But the controller on my 16Kw unit is not hardwired. It uses wireless only, so a LAN hit would be nearly impossible.

 

[grsthegreat]

If you have extended warranty, the controller would still be covered. But standard warranty only covers parts for 2 years. I think i had this conversation confused with another one dealing with 10 month old unit.

 

[grsthegreat]

I've had instances where I've lost all kinds of networked gizmos and gadgets, but no main appliances or motor controlled items. Figured my hits came in via the telephone (DSL) line and hit the LAN.

But the controller on 16Kw unit is not hardwired. It uses wireless only, so a LAN hit would be nearly impossible.

The controller is most certainly hardwired. There are either 5 or 6 wires between gen and transfer switch. 3 are utility powered, 2-3 are 12vdc powered (depending on unit). Lightning strikes can take out controllers. Rare, but happens

the wifi unit is wireless only.

 

[Diggin It]

Hardwired electrically, but not to the LAN/Network. A surge via the network will not affect the controller.