George wrote:
wrote:
On Oct 12, 3:14 pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
George wrote:
HeyBub wrote:
Jordan wrote:
I am picking up a 5000w cont. / 6500w surge generator which
should be more than enough for my needs. I want to keep the
refrigerator, 240v water pump, the oil boiler circualtors, and a
few lights at at time running. Practically the whole house has
the CF lights so my lighting is about 1/4 normal. My max surge
is 4000w and running is 2400w. My home's 100A power panel is
spread out pretty well where each room
has its own 15A breaker which makes my transfer switch wiring a
problem. Most of the switches seem to come with one 240 breaker
(for my well) and 4 - 15A circuits (1 for Kitchen for fridge and
1 for heating). This leaves 2 rooms for lighting which is the
most miniscule part of my needs.
Rather than wiring up individual circuits is it possible to get a
transfer switch that transfers the entire power to the generator
line?
Short answer - make your own transfer switch:
Add a dual 30Amp breaker to the panel. Feed the generator to this
breaker via a 240 volt male outlet (inlet?).
This special breaker should be OFF when power is being supplied by
the mains. To enable the generator, turn OFF the main breaker,
turn ON this special breaker, connect the generator.
In sum, when the power goes out:
* Connect the generator
* Flip two switches (main to OFF, special to ON)
* Start generator
When the power resumes:
* Flip special to OFF, main to ON
* Disconnect generator
You're good to go.
Or not, what you described is not a transfer switch. A transfer
switch is interlocked to strictly connect supply 1 or supply 2 but
never both.
Ah, right. Thanks for the correction. What I propose is power
transfered by a switch, not a transfer switch.

I apologize for the confusion.

What you described doesn't accomplish any of that and assumes
you will be the only one using it, will live forever and never be
tired or in ill health or will even never drink that extra glass of
bourbon.
Correct. And your point is?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I think what he's suggesting is that what you are proposing is
illegal and for the small amount of money involved, it's not worth
it. In fact, I would say what you proposed he do is far worse than
Van Chocstraw's suggestion to backfeed via a generator suicide cord
plugged into the dryer outlet.


Yes and aside from legality and even if there were no requirements it
is just completely wrong to cobble together a potentially lethal
nonstandard installation.



Both you an Trader are mistaken. The construct I suggested is legal (with
one minor modification). The "minor modification" is the installation to the
above of a "generator interlock."

Here's a PDF on how a generator interlock is configured (some study
required):
http://www.interlockkit.com/InstrK5410QOVertNewDsn.pdf

Here's a picture of what a typical installation looks like
http://www.interlockkit.com/typicalinstall1.htm

And here's an exterior generator access plug
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/4XT17