Generator backfeeding into utility lines

[bjmsam]

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

Here are photos of what I described earlier (400A service with two exterior disconnects each feeding a separate 200A interior panel):

Yesterday I opened a service inquiry with the utility and sent a note to PSP to find out which Transconnect model would work for my configuration. I just read through the other thread you referenced - thanks!

 

[daybreak1998]

Here are photos of what I described earlier:

Yesterday I opened a service inquiry with the utility and sent a note to PSP to find out which Transconnect model would work for my configuration. I just read through the other thread you referenced - thanks!

Howdy,
OK, first... by seeing your pictures, you could use the retro-fit style. You are actually using the dual lugs from the meter which is 200amp service. You would use whatever size fits your situation. Do you have enough room for a box about 20 inches by 30 inches about 3 inches deep? Located next to the meter by that cord from behind the meter. That is the box with the electronic brains and switch gear.

Who is your Utility service?

 

[bjmsam]

We are served by Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy) and it is supposed to be 400A service ("heavy-up" completed in 2012); those two exterior disconnects feed separate 200A interior panels, and one of those panels has the 100A circuit that runs to the subpanel in the barn (conduit visible at far left). Wall space is limited there but the additional box may fit above the meter enclosure.

 

[daybreak1998]

Howdy,
Here are some views of the second brains box and the full power plug connection.

 

[grsthegreat]

Here are photos of what I described earlier (400A service with two exterior disconnects each feeding a separate 200A interior panel):

Yesterday I opened a service inquiry with the utility and sent a note to PSP to find out which Transconnect model would work for my configuration. I just read through the other thread you referenced - thanks!

man, we couldnt get away with an installation like that up here in idaho. Also, thats a 200 amp service judging by the meter it even states 200 a 240 volts right on socket. I see unfused conductors running from meter to disconnects...they would hang me here in Idaho for doing that.

must be alot easier going where you live. your lucky.

 

[JRobyn]

man, we couldnt get away with an installation like that up here in idaho. Also, thats a 200 amp service judging by the meter it even states 200 a 240 volts right on socket. I see unfused conductors running from meter to disconnects...they would hang me here in Idaho for doing that.

must be alot easier going where you live. your lucky.

So does Idaho require that the service entrance conductors from the meter to the inside load centers be fused? This would require a meter base with provisions for breakers or fuses, right? My house in TN has an identical setup except that the two disconnects are INSIDE. The state electrical inspector told me that the separate disconnects (one for each load center) are required to ensure that fire personnel can disconnect feed to each load center. That makes sense, but having the disconnects in a corner of the basement makes NO sense to me! A local (licensed) electrician installed all the service entrance wiring and the state electrical inspector approved it (in 2010).

- Jay

 

[bjmsam]

My understanding:

• The continuous load rating of a meter neither reflects or limits the service capacity.
• CL200 meters are often used in 400A enclosures (like mine) as well as in 100A enclosures.
• For accuracy, meters are calibrated at a lower amperage representative of typical demand.

Code required disconnects in my case because the meter is not within some maximum distance of the load center panels. Perhaps interior disconnects are used when the extra distance is inside rather than outside. If fuses are not required between meter enclosures and panels, then I don't know why they would be required between meter enclosures and disconnects or between disconnects and panels. Regardless, everything passed inspection in 2012, and I am awaiting responses from my utility company, my electrician and PSP Products regarding use of the Transconnect.

 

[ultrarunner]

In my old home... the service disconnect is ahead of the meter base which is ahead of the fuse box.

 

[grsthegreat]

So does Idaho require that the service entrance conductors from the meter to the inside load centers be fused? This would require a meter base with provisions for breakers or fuses, right? My house in TN has an identical setup except that the two disconnects are INSIDE. The state electrical inspector told me that the separate disconnects (one for each load center) are required to ensure that fire personnel can disconnect feed to each load center. That makes sense, but having the disconnects in a corner of the basement makes NO sense to me! A local (licensed) electrician installed all the service entrance wiring and the state electrical inspector approved it (in 2010).

- Jay

Idaho requires all conductors to be in conduit as they leave the meter, and no more than 16" separation center to center. This means the meter can be in one stud bay and the panels left and right of the meter in next available stud bay. but all conductors are to be in 2" conduit with 4/0 wire to each 200 amp breaker.

we generally use a 400 amp panel with enclosed twin 200 amp breakers.

in the picture above, those feeders to the breakers look WAY to small to be 200 amp feeder wires. There 1/2 the size of the wires leaving the disconnect.


also, on my 400 amp service the meter says 400 amps. i guess its just different up here.

our main disconnects MUST be in easily accessible area like a garage, or the have to be located outside. they would never allow them in a basement

 

[bjmsam]

in the picture above, those feeders to the breakers look WAY to small to be 200 amp feeder wires. There 1/2 the size of the wires leaving the disconnect.

Perhaps the flash photo is misleading. The wires are flattened on different axes due to how they're routed.

The feeders between the meter enclosure and the disconnects are stamped "2 CDR AWG 4/0 1 CDR AWG 2/0"
The feeders between the disconnects and the load center panels are stamped "3 CDR AWG 4/0 1 CDR AWG 2/0"

In the conduit below the meter enclosure is the lateral from the transformer that comes under the driveway,
In the conduits to the left of the meter enclosure are (large) the line feeding the subpanel in the barn and (small) the CAT-5 cable to the barn.

A quick search revealed this thread: 200 Meter Feeding Two 200 Amp Panels