Generator Transfer Switch Question

[General Lee]

I have found if you don't need an automatic transfer switch, then the best solution is: Generator InterLock Kit

You just need to add a breaker and this kit and you can power your entire panel. Safe and easy.

here is my panel:

View attachment 272649

paul

I think this is what the electrician I had come out today was referring to. I told him I am purchasing a 12-15Kw generator capable of 50 amps. I was expecting to have a separate sub panel for generator use, but he said a transfer switch installed over the main breaker would serve the same purpose and I control my existing panel. Does this sound correct?

 

[clemsonfor]

SOO, if i was going to do this without the interlock kit, just saying. I would connect my generator via my 30 amp plug in the house and then back feed the panel. But the main breaker will be off isolating my panel from the grid allowing me to run my whole house up to the capacity of my generator? I know if i were to do this it would be illegal as there is not disconnect that will not allow the grid to be energised, but say i were to do what i said this is how it works right?

 

[wyeguy]

That's how it works, clemsonfor, and how utility workers like me get killed when someone makes a simple mistake.....

I am the modern man...my smart phone smells of diesel & grease.

 

[AJE]

There are interlock switches that are much cheaper than the one in the link posted. I found one for my Square D Panel for $55.

Of course I had never heard of them when I purchased my transfer switch a couple of years ago....

 

[General Lee]

Are there any benefits of using a transfer power switch/box over the interlock kit? Only thing I really see is with a transfer power box you'll have specific/dedicated circuits you can only run instead of possibly turning on to many circuits from the original panel and overloading the genny.

 

[bdeboer]

I have one of these at my house:

GenerLink.com - About GenerLink - The easy way to connect a home generator

Purchased/Installed through the local electric co-op for roughly the internet price. The only thing I had to do was put my generator plug on the end of the pigtail they supplied.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Interesting...I had not read about interlock kits. So you could install a 50 amp breaker, interlock kit, and inlet plug and run the genny through that via a 50 amp cord attached to the 50 amp genny outlet. If too much current came through it would trip the dedicated 50 amp "generator breaker" on the panel. Right?

 

[aczlan]

That's a pretty slick way to handle the transfer but they sure are proud of it at $149.00 !!!

I agree. Looking at going with a meter base with a 200 amp breaker/passthrough (this one) a interlock kit for another $40 and a generator breaker for another $9 (ie: this or smaller)
Then I can also run some other power I need to run at the same time.

Interesting...I had not read about interlock kits. So you could install a 50 amp breaker, interlock kit, and inlet plug and run the genny through that via a 50 amp cord attached to the 50 amp genny outlet. If too much current came through it would trip the dedicated 50 amp "generator breaker" on the panel. Right?

Yes. The 50 amp breaker could also be replaced with a smaller one to match your generator size if needed.

Aaron Z

 

[clemsonfor]

yes tractor fan. Your right. If you pull to much power your Genny has a breaker or a reset that will trip, you cant pull more power through the properly sized breaker as the jenny cant put more to it. if you overload any one breaker that will trip.

 

[Pirate]

I put in an interlock kit. I think my "input" breaker is only 30amp though, I can't remember. I also cut a hole in the upper panel cover and installed two wattmeters. When on the generator, I can watch my load balancing. It is a nifty system with one quick plug on the outside. Of course, since I installed it, I haven't had a single power outage.