New generator ready main panel

[Highbeam]

Made by Connecticut Electric this siemens load center transfer panel is made and UL approved for use as a whole house transfer switch. I replaced an old Zinsco deathtrap panel with it in my 1976 house. Power comes in from the meter base on the right, all the old circuit lines were cut and spliced to new extensions within the box above the panel and the 200 amp service panel is in the middle.

About 500 bucks for parts. Lots of bartered labor.

The panel is equipped with a metal interlock device that allows me to turn on the top 30 amp "generator" breaker ONLY when the main 200 amp feed breaker is turned off. The 30 amp double pole breaker is the generator line and is essentially a fancy backfeed circuit. The directions call for equipping this circuit with a male ended twistlok plug in a weathertight enclosure.

Yes, it is a fancy safer way to backfeed the panel as many folks already do. I believe it will keep me legal and safer.

Thanks for looking.

Rats, pics to follow tonight.

 

[3RRL]

I was wondering about the pics ... tonight? Alright.

 

[Highbeam]

Okay, here are a couple.

The first large one is the old panel on the ground. These are naughty panels and this one was crackling due to arcing at at least one circuit breaker which caused lights to flicker on that circuit. They actually use push-n-pray wire connections at the breaker. The buss bars are some aluminum jive that is also a culprit.

The second is the new panel with all copper bars and standard shmandard siemens breakers. Lots of room for expansion too.

While in the walls I noticed my next profound problem which is the crack in the chimney. Looks like the back wall wants to fall away from the chimney.

 

[Harleymsn]

Would this be about the same thing?
eBay: SQ D QO MAIN PANEL 40 SPACE w/ GEN TRANSFER SWITCH (item 260078747952 end time Jan-28-07 17:55:08 PST)

 

[Highbeam]

There are kits available to convert a standard panel into a transfer panel. My panel was factory equipped with the kit installed. I preferred to have the entire deal UL listed as a one piece legal deal. The auction shown lists a 60 amp as the max size generator backfeed breaker which is like 60x220= 13,200 watts and a far cry from the quoted 30KW generator. Tells me that you need to check your loads if you want to run a heat pump. My panel is likely contrained with the same max size breaker, it came equipped with a 30 amp which fits well with my 6850 surge generator.

The price tag on the panel was 375 but my sparky buddy got the panel for 275 from the local electrical supply house, not home depot. This tells me that there are deals to be had if you are willing to deal with shipping and such.

The sparky had one laugh at my expense.... he took the new panel and splice box and started making the appropriate knock outs and connections outside while I was tasked with removing the old panel and laying out the octopus of circuit wires. So he comes in the house and looks at my finished demo job, the power meter laying on the sidewalk outside and says "oops, I'll have to finish this next week". It was time for a beer.