generator hook-up question

[Industrial Toys]

I looked at their site. They seem involved in some pretty serious industrial process control. Surprised Nuclear power plants wasn't mentioned.

I can't even imagine what their stuff must cost. Certainly, beyond the scope of this discussion.

 

[MossRoad]

I looked at their site. They seem involved in some pretty serious industrial process control. Surprised Nuclear power plants wasn't mentioned.

I can't even imagine what their stuff must cost. Certainly, beyond the scope of this discussion.

When we were discussing this several times in the past, we've seen them for $50 on ebay.

LOT OF (2) KIRK CK4367 KEY INTERLOCK WITH KEY | eBay

 

[MossRoad]

Here's the link to the discussion of a very similar project back in October of 2014.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ilding-powering-panel.html?highlight=kirk+key

Its a very good read. Changed my opinion of the kirk key setup about 5 pages into it. Ridiculously simple and cost effective.

 

[MossRoad]

And here's the recipe for Crow Casserole that I had to eat after that discussion... :laughing:

CROW CASSEROLE
1/2 dozen crow breasts
1 qt. sauerkraut
1/2 dozen strips bacon
1/3 c. chopped onion
In skillet brown the crow breasts, then place them on a 1 1/2" layer of sauerkraut in bottom of a casserole. Cover each piece of meat with a strip of bacon and sprinkle the onion over them. Cover the breast with another layer of sauerkraut and pour sauerkraut juice over it. Bake two hours in oven heated to 350 degrees.

 

[buickanddeere]

The Kirk Key does work but ............ It lacks a certain fail safe certainly of just a break before make transfer switch. Although it is better than Bubba and Billy Bobs double male ended suicide cord plugged into a dryer or welder outlet.

 

[KubotainNH]

Simplistic yes but how do you know power is back on seeing the main breaker needs to be off? Tape one of these to the cable?

Milwaukee Voltage Detector-22-2 - The Home Depot

 

[MossRoad]

The Kirk Key does work but ............ It lacks a certain fail safe certainly of just a break before make transfer switch. Although it is better than Bubba and Billy Bobs double male ended suicide cord plugged into a dryer or welder outlet.

Again, we've been through this back in 2014. It is a break before make. You have to break the main disconnect before you remove the key. Then you have to install the key at the other point. Only then can you make the generator connection. That's break, remove key, walk to barn, install key, make generator connection.... break before make.

 

[techman]

The Kirk Key does work but ............ It lacks a certain fail safe certainly of just a break before make transfer switch. Although it is better than Bubba and Billy Bobs double male ended suicide cord plugged into a dryer or welder outlet.

Actually a Kirk Key solution is BETTER than a transfer switch since you must open the feed breaker, lock it and remove the key, then take the key to unlock the generator feed and close that breaker. "Properly installed" it will provide all of the interlock protection needed. The issue for the OP is to configure a Kirk Key/Lock to lock out the main breaker and the generator feed. Some mechanical adaptation would be required.

paul

 

[buickanddeere]

Actually a Kirk Key solution is BETTER than a transfer switch since you must open the feed breaker, lock it and remove the key, then take the key to unlock the generator feed and close that breaker. "Properly installed" it will provide all of the interlock protection needed. The issue for the OP is to configure a Kirk Key/Lock to lock out the main breaker and the generator feed. Some mechanical adaptation would be required.


paul

A real transfer switch is superior as there is no key to loose and no way to Jimmy two switches closed as they lack an internal integral tinker proof mechanism enclosed in one location.
Don't waste my time trying make up some excuse to attempt justification of being cheap.

 

[CobyRupert]

It's not superior if:
-You have to UNNECESSARILY run cable hundreds of feet to bring the primary source and secondary source feeders to a common switch.
-This may also involve costly trenching, conduits, and concrete penetrations versus using the existing cable that is already installed.
-You have to purchase a costly transfer switch.
- You have to get the utility to interrupt & relocate their service entrance point and possibly the meter.
- If someone wants to "jimmy" ANY installation they will.
- The key has to be inserted, and remains, at the switch activated. While not impossible to loose, the only time the key is out of a switch is when you're walking between switches during a transfer. (And if you loose the key, I guess you can just jimmy it! )