Generator and Well Pump

[Highbeam]

Jimbob: I installed a complete premanufactured electric panel with the interlock included about a year ago. When you buy the whole panel they throw in a 30 amp breaker, the UL sticker calling it a "generator transfer panel", and the little metal interlock device is actually riveted to the main panel and not the easily removable panel face/door. It only added like 50-100 bucks to the cost of the 200 amp panel.

I had my installation inspected and approved by the WA state L&I electrical inspector. Even they seem to like the idea. I used the standard issue 30 amp breaker which allows around 7000 watts of power or 3500 to each phase. I only use a 3500 watt genset.

You are correct, there is no way to know when the grid comes back to life but the benefit of the whole house transfer is that I can choose to dedicate the entire genset's power to one big load like a water heater and then flip back to other essential loads like the refer and lights. A very flexible system.

Oh and the outdoor recepticle I installed is the stock Home Depot 30 amp twistlok outdoor plug made for this purpose. They also sell the twistlok extension cord that is 20 feet long to allow connection to the genset. I asked about additional ground rods by the genset and the inspector said it was not needed since the 4 wire connection to my house panel is linked to the home's 2 8' rods.

Slicker than snot.

 

[Ronbo]

Since I have no power due to Ike, I decided to replace my panel and add generator hookup for my generator. My power comes into my barn and has the well and septic on that panel. I then have underground cables to the house with it's own panel. That eliminates the sustem that you just replace breakers.

I replaced the panels and added a seperate box for the generator with a breaker in it. the power then goes to the main panel through another breaker. That means that I have to switch 2 breakers to get power to the panel. I also have to swich the main to prevent backfeeding the grid.

I switch on the septic to pump it out, I know that It has not been aerated yet, but this is an emergency. I then turn it off and switch on the well. I then turn on the house so the refer can operate, the wife can wash clothes, ect. Since we have all florescent bulbs, we can have almost all the lights on in the house without loading the gen. If we are going to use water, we will turn off most of the lights.

Safety is that you have to switch 2 breakers to energize system. Not as good as a lockout, but a lot cheaper and kinda hard to accidently trip that great big main.

 

[RonMar]

And without a physical interlock, illegal... Be safe...

 

[Highbeam]

Yeah really, going halfway isn't going to make it legal. May as well have just backfed through the welder plug.

 

[Soundguy]

I take it the legality issue is tied only to the fact that there is no safety interlock.. IE.. a method to prevent the main breaker and the switched breaker from being on at the same time, and not any other technical reason??

soundguy

 

[Ronbo]

Is it actually illegal or is it a code violation?

 

[tommu56]

With regard to back feeding please don't do it.

The line men working on trying to get power back on don't need any more hazards to work with.

If there isn't any interlock I unhook circuit and hook it up direct to the generator.
It's the safest way for everyone.


tommu

 

[jinjimbob]

Is it actually illegal or is it a code violation?

Incorrect wiring is a code violation.

Harming/killing a worker because of this wiring is illegal.

 

[RonMar]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Illegal, or unlawful, is used to describe something that is prohibited or not authorized by law or, more generally, by rules specific to a particular situation (such as a game)."

Or in this case most electric codes...

As an example, if you were to be pulled over by a Washing State Patrol officer for failing to signal a lane change, he or she would most likley cite you for a violation under title 46.61.070 of the Revised Code of Washington(RCW)...

 

[Soundguy]

I didn't figure anyone would actually answer the question at hand.. vs debating the legality of it..

soundguy