don't know how many are aware, but there's an approved alternative to the transfer switch boxes (that run anywhere from $300 - $700) called "generalor interlock kits".
you will have to check with your local building inspector's office, but they're idiot proof fail safe - you are mechanically prevented from turning on the generator circuit if the main breaker is in the "ON" position. I actually liked the idea enough that I built my own (I was too cheap to pay for the custom one my panel box would have required. I did submit it to the electrical inspector for approval, mainly for insurance coverage purposes. I believe they start around $149 for the more common panel boxes - unfortunately mine was one of those - they'd had to modify an existing plate and wanted something like $200 for mine.
main reason I prefer the interlock kit idea over a transfer switch box, it allows me to simply feed the entire panel box w/240V and use the existing breakers - in an outage we're careful in terms of what we turn on, but this way, no matter what room we walk into, we've got lights if we need - no need to run an extension cord for the wife's hair dryer, etc. And no need for an electrician to install the transfer switch box, which just adds to the cost
basically i feed the panel box thru an electric dryer receptacle installed just below the panel box connected to a 60 amp dbl brkr, so when the interlock kit is moved to allow that breaker to thrown to the "on" postion, it feeds both 110v legs of the box
link to generator interlock kit: Generator InterLock Kit
and my home made one - the red instruction plate i simply made myself in microsoft word, and used laminating plastic to place it on the top sliding plate. Figuring out the steps necessary in microsoft to get text inside a "frame" took me almost as long to fabricate the two plates (i'm maybe half notch above fred flintstone level in computers)
i used .090" 6061 alum with bellvue washers over nylon washers for the tension lock between the two plates - but's it's actually the main breaker that keeps the lock out plate from sliding down and releasing the gen breaker - as long as the main breaker is up in the "on" position, the lockout plate can't slide down - the tension washers are basically to keep the wgt of the sliding plate from putting any force on the main breaker
you will have to check with your local building inspector's office, but they're idiot proof fail safe - you are mechanically prevented from turning on the generator circuit if the main breaker is in the "ON" position. I actually liked the idea enough that I built my own (I was too cheap to pay for the custom one my panel box would have required. I did submit it to the electrical inspector for approval, mainly for insurance coverage purposes. I believe they start around $149 for the more common panel boxes - unfortunately mine was one of those - they'd had to modify an existing plate and wanted something like $200 for mine.
main reason I prefer the interlock kit idea over a transfer switch box, it allows me to simply feed the entire panel box w/240V and use the existing breakers - in an outage we're careful in terms of what we turn on, but this way, no matter what room we walk into, we've got lights if we need - no need to run an extension cord for the wife's hair dryer, etc. And no need for an electrician to install the transfer switch box, which just adds to the cost
basically i feed the panel box thru an electric dryer receptacle installed just below the panel box connected to a 60 amp dbl brkr, so when the interlock kit is moved to allow that breaker to thrown to the "on" postion, it feeds both 110v legs of the box
link to generator interlock kit: Generator InterLock Kit
and my home made one - the red instruction plate i simply made myself in microsoft word, and used laminating plastic to place it on the top sliding plate. Figuring out the steps necessary in microsoft to get text inside a "frame" took me almost as long to fabricate the two plates (i'm maybe half notch above fred flintstone level in computers)
i used .090" 6061 alum with bellvue washers over nylon washers for the tension lock between the two plates - but's it's actually the main breaker that keeps the lock out plate from sliding down and releasing the gen breaker - as long as the main breaker is up in the "on" position, the lockout plate can't slide down - the tension washers are basically to keep the wgt of the sliding plate from putting any force on the main breaker
Local Hydro, knows nothing about them.
