PTO generator problems with electical approval. Pls help

[Fallon]

This is it.

Calling an electrician to install a product the OP found on eBay is what they did. Now turning around and saying the device isn't approved- must be the electrician's fault- is misguided. It's a different story if you had called the electrician and asked them them to provide the parts as well.

Sounds like the eBay seller is misrepresenting something and the inspector caught it. Bummer.

The other option is a "whole house" transfer switch. The manual ones are under $1000 depending on the amps needed. 100a, 200a or rarely larger on a house.

The next step above 200 is 400@ & freaking huge. The guys installing my solar setup got bit on that I think. They weren't expecting that jump in amps & price when they but that add-on to my solar install I'm pretty sure. The plug too... 1 end of the dam thing is pushing $400.

I have 225@ service so needed a 400@ box as the 200@ wouldn't cut it.

Going to be cheaper for me to tear out their plug & put in Anderson connectors on both ends than get the other end of the pin & sleeve one they put in.

 

[RNeumann]

The next step above 200 is 400@ & freaking huge. The guys installing my solar setup got bit on that I think. They weren't expecting that jump in amps & price when they but that add-on to my solar install I'm pretty sure. The plug too... 1 end of the dam thing is pushing $400.

I have 225@ service so needed a 400@ box as the 200@ wouldn't cut it.

Going to be cheaper for me to tear out their plug & put in Anderson connectors on both ends than get the other end of the pin & sleeve one they put in.

I have a 400a service to the house but designed my electrical system with the transfer switch in mind. I was able to get away with a 100a transfer switch and have most everything in the house on it.

 

[Fallon]

I have a 400a service to the house but designed my electrical system with the transfer switch in mind. I was able to get away with a 100a transfer switch and have most everything in the house on it.

I got a whole house transfer switch. My PTO generator (if I ever finish rewiring it, upgrading from pin connectors to Anderson's as it was cheaper than just male pins for the 20 year old generator) is rated to 25kw, 25kw surge 1 or 3 phase. Works out to 105@ of 220v.

It's an emergency generator, not a stand by. I figure the wife can cook, do laundry & other stuff while I'm out in the shop welding & not have an issue with this setup. If it's ever a problem I'll have to manually flip breakers to manage load.

 

[gogojuice]

Just to provide an update....

The ESA did some diggin around and then came to the house. Nice guy. He was surprised he got the call. He usually deals with factories and international stuff. Phone never stopped going off.

He looked at it for few min, Took the front panel off the wall and wanted to make sure that the screws didn't need tightening each time it moved. He passed is and said there are no problem with these. They stop the back feeding and don't allow for them both to be on at the same time. Easiest decision he made all day lol.

He put his sticker on the panel and it's good to go.

On a side note... the comments about me deciding what to get isn't right. The electrician came out, looked at the generator / panel and told ME which parts to get. Hope that clears that point up.

Cheers

 

[daybreak1998]

Just to provide an update....

The ESA did some diggin around and then came to the house. Nice guy. He was surprised he got the call. He usually deals with factories and international stuff. Phone never stopped going off.

He looked at it for few min, Took the front panel off the wall and wanted to make sure that the screws didn't need tightening each time it moved. He passed is and said there are no problem with these. They stop the back feeding and don't allow for them both to be on at the same time. Easiest decision he made all day lol.

He put his sticker on the panel and it's good to go.

On a side note... the comments about me deciding what to get isn't right. The electrician came out, looked at the generator / panel and told ME which parts to get. Hope that clears that point up.

Cheers

Howdy,
For the future of other folks seeing this thread. The problem really comes down to a 2nd hand copy of a item which has proper UL approval. A real Cutler-Hammer interlock or a cheap imitation copy. They may act and work the same, but the manufacturer paid to have the whole panel and interlock put through testing to get certified. The interlock device is also to remain in place even when the front panel is taken off.

OK, you are lucky the ESA inspector looked at the panel and determined it functioned properly locking out the main breaker and generator breaker.