Generator Transfer switch connection choices

[bjmsam]

Everything is wired up as described above and a neighbor electrician looked it over before we confirmed that it works as intended!

 

[cqaigy2]

Good Job!!

 

[daybreak1998]

Howdy,

Here is a short clip of the PTO generator running with a 19kw load

 

[grsthegreat]

how this for a generator... its a 45KW generac



ankes the 22KW generac look like a toy

 

[Topher265]

Okay...so this area is outside of my "comfort zone" but not really out of my skill level.

I have a question regarding the "transfer switches" and lockouts etc. If I want to install/have installed a whole-home generator and I happen to already have a brand new unused 2nd entire 200A breaker box, could I use the breaker box as the "transfer switch" somehow?

I understand I will need to lockout the utility line when I power up the house, but I'm trying to come up with a fiscally responsible solution using stuff I already have.

 

[DarkBlack]

I see that 'tiger power' meter is labeled 'kw'. Does anyone know if it is truly kw. It is most likely showing kva.

 

[daybreak1998]

Okay...so this area is outside of my "comfort zone" but not really out of my skill level.

I have a question regarding the "transfer switches" and lockouts etc. If I want to install/have installed a whole-home generator and I happen to already have a brand new unused 2nd entire 200A breaker box, could I use the breaker box as the "transfer switch" somehow?

I understand I will need to lockout the utility line when I power up the house, but I'm trying to come up with a fiscally responsible solution using stuff I already have.

Howdy,
If you look over the choices.... a 2nd panel really does not help anywhere. New construction? or existing construction?

It really depends on the size of the generator. A lot of the large generators will come with a automatic transfer switch. If you are doing the generator yourself, then a interlock might work for you. Manually shutting off your main breaker, moving slide lock, turning on your generator circuit breaker, firing up your generator.

 

[daybreak1998]

I see that 'tiger power' meter is labeled 'kw'. Does anyone know if it is truly kw. It is most likely showing kva.

Howdy,
The Tiger Power generator is listed as power factor 1.0. So it would be 30,000watts=30kw=30kva with a ample 90kva surge rating

 

[Topher265]

Howdy,
If you look over the choices.... a 2nd panel really does not help anywhere. New construction? or existing construction?

It really depends on the size of the generator. A lot of the large generators will come with a automatic transfer switch. If you are doing the generator yourself, then a interlock might work for you. Manually shutting off your main breaker, moving slide lock, turning on your generator circuit breaker, firing up your generator.

Thanks. This would be for existing construction. The more I thought I about it, the more I realized what you said: the extra panel really doesn't help.

I would do the installation myself along with some family that are licensed electricians.

I'm looking for something to run our entire house and the entire system needs to be very easy to operate, all while not going overboard on generator size. Though I could certainly handle manual switches/lockouts my wife would have zero interest in dealing with such things...let alone starting a gennie. So I'm going to end up getting an automatic universal transfer switch and a generator that fires up automatically too. The house is mostly run on natural gas, with only a few electric appliances: A/C, refrigerator, deep freezer, microwave, dish washer, clothes washer. We also have to run our 2 sumps, the well pump and the septic with an aerator. I'd guess if I want to run every single thing in the house, I'm probably looking at a 15-17kw unit.

 

[daybreak1998]

Thanks. This would be for existing construction. The more I thought I about it, the more I realized what you said: the extra panel really doesn't help.

I would do the installation myself along with some family that are licensed electricians.

I'm looking for something to run our entire house and the entire system needs to be very easy to operate, all while not going overboard on generator size. Though I could certainly handle manual switches/lockouts my wife would have zero interest in dealing with such things...let alone starting a gennie. So I'm going to end up getting an automatic universal transfer switch and a generator that fires up automatically too. The house is mostly run on natural gas, with only a few electric appliances: A/C, refrigerator, deep freezer, microwave, dish washer, clothes washer. We also have to run our 2 sumps, the well pump and the septic with an aerator. I'd guess if I want to run every single thing in the house, I'm probably looking at a 15-17kw unit.

Howdy,

Yes, for automatic start generators which are installed, they will probably include a ATS (automatic transfer switch) If you are looking at that route, I would suggest you think about the things you want to run. Then think about the absolutely necessary things that need to run. Any company that sells installed generators will do some kind of home power audit, and discuss prices of the size of generator. The only other tip I can give you is.... The preferred generator should be liquid cooled. I know air cooled is cheaper etc.... since you have natural gas, that's a option, diesel, propane.

good luck

 

[sandyc]

Agree with Daybreak and do/get an audit for your power usage. You'll need to having everything running including sumps and water pumps in order to get a max usage. In this case, bigger is better. The auto switch is a must if you are doing your whole house in that there may be times that you aren't home to manually throw switches and start the gen. We have a whole house genset (wish it was bigger) and it has been operated flawlessly for over ten years. Go with propane as it is easier what with no middle of the night or storm filling. Suggest aircooled motor as it is a lot easier to maintain....the noise isn't too bad!

 

[daybreak1998]

Howdy,
I have a few neighbors which are wanting to do an ag well like what I have. It looks like the best current option is using the milbank U5168 PDF brochure milbank u5168-xtl-200-kk and the matching generator interlock disconnect K5815. This way they will have 200amp service, a service disconnect, a generator connection, and a few other circuit breaker locations for other stuff, plus 200amp feed-thru lugs.

One will put in a custom cistern tank underground for a water works vault, while the other has some flat land water level issues and will be building water closet houses.

 

[daybreak1998]

Do you need to get a permit to do a interlock?.

Howdy,
I do not know? It really depends on where you live and what the rules are for your location.

 

[DarkBlack]

Howdy,
The Tiger Power generator is listed as power factor 1.0. So it would be 30,000watts=30kw=30kva with a ample 90kva surge rating
View attachment 386860

Missed this thread... Sorry to say, but, the connected load determines the PF, not the generator.

 

[bjmsam]

Also see 15KW PTO Generator Harbor Freight thread.

 

[daybreak1998]

Howdy,

A similar service/meter/panel combo would be something like the GE 200 Amp 8 Space 16 Circuit Outdoor Combination Main Breaker Ringless Meter Socket Load Center TSMR820CSFLFMG and getting the GE PowerMark Gold Generator Interlock Kit THQLLX4

 

[buickanddeere]

I feel like I have done a lot of studying on this topic, and I still have what seems like a basic question that I haven't got answered, so maybe somebody here can take a swing at it. All the transfer switches make you decide beforehand what circuits you want plugged in, which I don't particularly like. I don't understand why I can't just put a 200A DPDT break-before-make switch in between the meter and the main panel, and have the generator plug into that. Well, actually, I don't know for sure that I can't do that, but every time I go searching for options, I never see anything like that. Which is weird, because it sure seems to me like the simplest and easiest way to accomplish what I'm trying to accomplish. Which leads me to believe that there is a hitch in that plan that is not obvious to me, because I'm not an electrician. So maybe somebody here can tell me what the hitch is. Or point me to a nice 200A DPDT break-before-make switch that would do the trick.

Generac sells them.

 

[buickanddeere]

Even though my service has the 200amp Generac transfer switch. When the main breaker failed in the FPE house panel. I installed a new Square D with more breaker spaces and a built in transfer switch.
Now if the little generator is in use the wife and kids can't trip it because they can't seem to open the electric water heater, electric stove, shop electric heat, house electric heat etc.
18 breaker spaces on the generator side of the panel. Used some 1/2 sized breakers on low demand individual loads such as the doorbell, smoke detectors and some lighting circuits.

 

[Xfaxman]

I feel like I have done a lot of studying on this topic, and I still have what seems like a basic question that I haven't got answered, so maybe somebody here can take a swing at it. All the transfer switches make you decide beforehand what circuits you want plugged in, which I don't particularly like. I don't understand why I can't just put a 200A DPDT break-before-make switch in between the meter and the main panel, and have the generator plug into that. Well, actually, I don't know for sure that I can't do that, but every time I go searching for options, I never see anything like that. Which is weird, because it sure seems to me like the simplest and easiest way to accomplish what I'm trying to accomplish. Which leads me to believe that there is a hitch in that plan that is not obvious to me, because I'm not an electrician. So maybe somebody here can tell me what the hitch is. Or point me to a nice 200A DPDT break-before-make switch that would do the trick.

Try this link: GenerLink.com - About GenerLink - The easy way to connect a home generator


This is what our Rural Electric recommends.

 

[MMagis]

Any idea what theses devices cost? I've looked and looked and can't find anything.