OP
IHDiesel73L
Silver Member
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Good point. Lucky for me it will be a short run with maybe one 90, but stranded will still be easier. Thanks!
Generator inlet plug install-need advice on wire size/type, etc...
- Thread starter IHDiesel73L
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Good point. Lucky for me it will be a short run with maybe one 90, but stranded will still be easier. Thanks!
Mickey_Fx
Veteran Member
Glad I ran across this thread today. Very timely for me. Was unaware of these simple manual interlock protectors. This is the way to go for us as power outages are very infrequent, measured in yrs between failures that could last for over a day.
Have a yr old Siemens panel and see they have a kit for it, $45. Will have to buy several new breakers to help rearrange breaker locations. Panel is mounted outside which add to the cost if one were to go with a conventional gen transfer switch.
Have the ability to install myself but city/county has things locked up so tight it is a big gamble doing something like this on your own. They have the authority that any time they come out for an inspection, if they find ANY mods done without a permit and insp, current owner can be forced to go through the whole process for anything done since day one. Son lives a mile away and he is going though this now for additions made back when he was still in high school and he is in his mid-40's now.
Easy to add meters to gen for load balancing. Know of a surplus outfit that has 30A meters for ~$3/ea.
Have a yr old Siemens panel and see they have a kit for it, $45. Will have to buy several new breakers to help rearrange breaker locations. Panel is mounted outside which add to the cost if one were to go with a conventional gen transfer switch.
Have the ability to install myself but city/county has things locked up so tight it is a big gamble doing something like this on your own. They have the authority that any time they come out for an inspection, if they find ANY mods done without a permit and insp, current owner can be forced to go through the whole process for anything done since day one. Son lives a mile away and he is going though this now for additions made back when he was still in high school and he is in his mid-40's now.
Easy to add meters to gen for load balancing. Know of a surplus outfit that has 30A meters for ~$3/ea.
type THHN/THWN wire, which is stranded.
Home Depot or Lowes, in the electrical aisle.
Wrooster
pat32rf
Veteran Member
Up here (Ontario) they have started to use a meter base with a built in interlock so you can disconnect from the grid and plug in any size genny that you have. (Most are 3-6kw.) They are pricey, but can power any inside load without changing panels.
Even if you have remote sub-panels (barn or garage) or fuse panels. The downside is that you don't know when the grid power comes back on unless you have a neighbour who is in sight and blacked out.....
You still have to reduce your inside loads to match your genny, but by using compact flourescents you can have a lot of your lighting in use. You could even turn your electric water heater on overnight for a shower in the morning.....maybe
I'm still using my welding outlet, 4kw genny and backfeeding to the disconnected panel, but I was an electrician for many years and used to do a lot of temp hook-ups for apt buildings when the went down....
Even if you have remote sub-panels (barn or garage) or fuse panels. The downside is that you don't know when the grid power comes back on unless you have a neighbour who is in sight and blacked out.....
You still have to reduce your inside loads to match your genny, but by using compact flourescents you can have a lot of your lighting in use. You could even turn your electric water heater on overnight for a shower in the morning.....maybe
I'm still using my welding outlet, 4kw genny and backfeeding to the disconnected panel, but I was an electrician for many years and used to do a lot of temp hook-ups for apt buildings when the went down....
dstig1
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- Kubota L5240 HSTC, JD X738 Mower, (Kubota L3130 HST - sold)
THHN/THWN are essentially insulation ratings. They do not specify solid or stranded. The "W" means wet as in it is suitable for installations where it may get wet, for example. You can find both types in solid or stranded, which mostly depends on size. Anything larger than 10 ga tends to be stranded. You can find smaller wires stranded as needed, but most house wiring is done with 14/12/10 ga solid wire.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
I was chatting with my inspector about these interlock kits listed here, and how there available for most panels. He let me have a bombshell......
If i install them i am destroying the UL listing on the original panel, unless these devices carry their own piggyback UL listing.
I just emailed the company to see if their devices will mess up the panels UL listing. I hope that they dont. Anyone here run into issues with this???
These seem like a nice alternative that id like to be able to use.
If i install them i am destroying the UL listing on the original panel, unless these devices carry their own piggyback UL listing.
I just emailed the company to see if their devices will mess up the panels UL listing. I hope that they dont. Anyone here run into issues with this???
These seem like a nice alternative that id like to be able to use.
tmajor
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- 2010 MF 1529, Woods ZTR MZ1952, National Mower sickle bar circa 1963
The kits, made by the specific load center manufacturer, i.e. Square D, GE, etc., have UL approval. I would think, there would not be any problem with those.
Most likely, your inspector has never seen or heard of them. It a tightly kept secret, so it seems.
Most likely, your inspector has never seen or heard of them. It a tightly kept secret, so it seems.
tmajor
Platinum Member
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- 666
- Location
- NE PA
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- 2010 MF 1529, Woods ZTR MZ1952, National Mower sickle bar circa 1963
From Frequently Asked Questions
"Is the generator interlock kit, K-5010, for QO and Homeline loadcenters, a Square D product?
This generator interlock is by a third party company called Generator Interlock Technologies out of Richmond, VA. They make various load center interlock kits for all the major load center manufacturers. This is not a Square D product. If this generator Interlock kit was used on a QO or Homeline load center, it would void the UL Listing, and the Square D warranty!"
From Frequently Asked Questions
"What is the UL file number for QOCGK2, QOCRBGK1 and QORBGK2 ?
The Square D Generator Circuit Breaker Interlock Kit, catalog number QOCGK2, QOCRBGK1 and QORBGK2 is a UL Recognized Component listed in UL File E6294, Vol. 7, Section 16, when installed in a listed QO Load Center (UL file E6294, Vol. 8).
The QOCGK2 and QORBGK2 do not carry their own UL number. They are listed as accessories only when used with the correct QO load center under UL file E6294 volume 7 section 16 page 1."
"Is the generator interlock kit, K-5010, for QO and Homeline loadcenters, a Square D product?
This generator interlock is by a third party company called Generator Interlock Technologies out of Richmond, VA. They make various load center interlock kits for all the major load center manufacturers. This is not a Square D product. If this generator Interlock kit was used on a QO or Homeline load center, it would void the UL Listing, and the Square D warranty!"
From Frequently Asked Questions
"What is the UL file number for QOCGK2, QOCRBGK1 and QORBGK2 ?
The Square D Generator Circuit Breaker Interlock Kit, catalog number QOCGK2, QOCRBGK1 and QORBGK2 is a UL Recognized Component listed in UL File E6294, Vol. 7, Section 16, when installed in a listed QO Load Center (UL file E6294, Vol. 8).
The QOCGK2 and QORBGK2 do not carry their own UL number. They are listed as accessories only when used with the correct QO load center under UL file E6294 volume 7 section 16 page 1."
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
Ok, heres the poop, at least for the Siemens brand interlock sets sold by my wholesale house.
NONE of their generator interlocks are UL approved. None.
Aparently anytime you alter ANYTHING that is UL approved you void that UL Listing.
They told me they can get me an interlock that will work, but i take it upon myself if i install it. Aparently they have had complaints of Inspectors red tagging their jobs for using them, so they dont stock them anymore.
Also as an intersting sidenote. He told me that one customer installed an entire gas station with the new LED t-8 style florescent lamps. Aparently you have to remove the ballast and install these lamps cause they run at 120 volts. The guy comes to find out after $1,000s spent that he had voided the UL rating of the fixtures and is now in a battle with the state inspector.
**** that UL ... messing up all my plans. I thought the interlock was a good thought, i guess ill go back to the way ive been doing it all along.
NONE of their generator interlocks are UL approved. None.
Aparently anytime you alter ANYTHING that is UL approved you void that UL Listing.
They told me they can get me an interlock that will work, but i take it upon myself if i install it. Aparently they have had complaints of Inspectors red tagging their jobs for using them, so they dont stock them anymore.
Also as an intersting sidenote. He told me that one customer installed an entire gas station with the new LED t-8 style florescent lamps. Aparently you have to remove the ballast and install these lamps cause they run at 120 volts. The guy comes to find out after $1,000s spent that he had voided the UL rating of the fixtures and is now in a battle with the state inspector.
**** that UL ... messing up all my plans. I thought the interlock was a good thought, i guess ill go back to the way ive been doing it all along.
