Generator backup power

[fatjay]

I was looking at this, but the link LIttleBill21 posted is the same concept.
Siemens Manual Transfer Switches | Generator InterLock Kit

My grounding wire definitely isn't 6ga, it's more like 14ga, but it's covered. My house was built in '63 and has no upgrades to the electrical other than adding a subpanel and making some room by replacing 15a breakers with the 2 in 1 15a breakers.

I'm planning on 6-3 stranded wire for the run. It's only about 10' overall.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

GE PowerMark Gold Load Center/Generator Interlock Kit-THQLLX1 - The Home Depot

Ah. So you have to purchase a specific panel to fit the interlock. I hate working with heavy service entrance cable, but if you have strong fingers it might not be too bad. By the time you buy breakers, wire and a panel, it will be more expensive, but it will let you load manage by turning breakers on and off in your service panel.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I was looking at this, but the link LIttleBill21 posted is the same concept.
Siemens Manual Transfer Switches | Generator InterLock Kit

My grounding wire definitely isn't 6ga, it's more like 14ga, but it's covered. My house was built in '63 and has no upgrades to the electrical other than adding a subpanel and making some room by replacing 15a breakers with the 2 in 1 15a breakers.

I'm planning on 6-3 stranded wire for the run. It's only about 10' overall.

The minimum size for ground wire if it's covered is 8 gauge. I have never seen a 14 gauge service ground. It would be hard for me to believe it would serve.

 

[fatjay]

I didn't buy a panel or interlock kit or breakers. It's a flat piece of steel, pretty simple, so I made one. I just copied the concept. There's interlocks for all sorts of panels though, pretty much every brand, but I couldn't find one for mine, as I don't have a separate main breaker, it's just plugged into a spot on my along side my normal breakers. Also $150 for a flat piece of steel is kind of silly.

When I finished wiring my basement i had it inspected and the inspecting electrician didn't say anything about the ground. Maybe it's 12, but certainly no larger than 12. If it's a hazard I'll replace it. I bought 25' of 6-3 so I'll have plenty left over.

 

[TractorGuy]

You won't find an interlock available for all panels. Search for one that is made for your panel and see if it exists.

It is very important to understand the ground to neutral bond! I think you need to make sure you don't bond the neutral and ground in two locations. It is usually bonded at the panel so in that case you would make sure it isn't also bonded at the generator. Mine has a strap that i disconnect at the genset. If I want to use it away from the house it needs to be connected. Likewise I think you wouldn't want to bond a sub panel if the main panel is bonded but again, you should check with a real electrician on this.

 

[3Ts]

A good book to read about wiring a house which also includes some info on generator wiring and transfer switches is:
"Wiring a House" by Rex Cauldwell and put out by The Taunton Press ISBN 978-1-60085-261-9

 

[Rara Avis]

If you go the whole house generator solution...you can install one of these 200 amp cutover units... 2 Amp Automatic Transfer Switch | Service Entrance Rated | Eaton EGS

VIGILANT AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH 2 AMP NEMA TYPE 3 ENCLOSURE

Automatic Transfer Switch | ASCO 185 | 2 Amp NEMA 3 | 2 Poll | 12/24 Volt

 

[daybreak1998]

Howdy,
A generator is wired to the panel box like your 220 dryer. A 10Kw generator would use a dual pole 50amp breaker. You would also use the appropriate gauge wire. You would also then have a inlet receptacle and a cord which plugs in there and plugs into the generator. a 7.5Kw generator would use a dual pole 30 amp breaker etc...

You have a Cutler-Hammer panel.

The price for a interlock covers the UL rating which is what you really are paying for. You can not just make a steel bar and have it work with a inspector. You would need a CH interlock kit which works with your panel.

You actually might be better off purchasing a new Service panel, and a interlock kit and re-do your panel.

A thread to give you some ideas. Generator Transfer switch connection choices

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You are also paying to make sure YOU don't ever have a problem with your insurance co., IF you ever have an electrical problem in the house when you are using your gen set.

I heard about it happening to a guy that made his own interlock.....ins. said it wasn't an "approved" interlock...

SR

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I didn't buy a panel or interlock kit or breakers. It's a flat piece of steel, pretty simple, so I made one. I just copied the concept. There's interlocks for all sorts of panels though, pretty much every brand, but I couldn't find one for mine, as I don't have a separate main breaker, it's just plugged into a spot on my along side my normal breakers. Also $150 for a flat piece of steel is kind of silly.

When I finished wiring my basement i had it inspected and the inspecting electrician didn't say anything about the ground. Maybe it's 12, but certainly no larger than 12. If it's a hazard I'll replace it. I bought 25' of 6-3 so I'll have plenty left over.

If you don't have a main breaker, how are you disconnecting from the power company? I imagine not all power companies are as mean as Pacificorp, but if you energize a line around here they will pull your electrical service and you don't get it back until your entire house has been brought up to current code.