On Mar 8, 12:08*pm, The Daring Dufas the-daring-du...@stinky-
finger.net wrote:
On 3/8/2013 9:31 AM, Mikepier wrote:
On Mar 8, 10:01 am, The Daring Dufas the-daring-du...@stinky-
finger.net wrote:
On 3/8/2013 8:30 AM, Mikepier wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:09 am, "
wrote:
On Mar 8, 8:51 am, Mikepier wrote:
Ok ,guys. Now something just came up . I know we are up to 51 posts
for this thread already, and I was not sure whether to continue this
one, or start a new one, but anyway:
My friend had *an idea if he had gotten a generator one day, he can
utilize the A/C disconnect panel outside to backfeed into the *main
panel. Of course he would shut off the main breaker and pull the A/C
disconnect when he did this.
I can put an outdoor twistlock outlet next to the A/C disconnect
panel, and put a short nipple between them an connect the wiring.
But I cannot do this with the existing 10 guage wire since it is the
old 10/2 stuff with a small ground on it. I would need to run an 8/3
with gnd ( *2 phases plus neutral).
I know this is not the right way to backfeed a panel, but regardless,
does it make sense now to run the 8/3 ?
If you know it's not the right way, then why are you
proposing to do it? *Why take an AC circuit that is 100% legal
nd safe as it is and turn it into something to be used as a dangerous
code violation? *If he wants a
generator connection, install an inlet outside and run
it to a proper interlock device installed on the main panel.
If the panel maker doesn't have one, then try:
http://www.interlockkit.com/-Hidequoted text -
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That is an excellent invention. I did not even know those interlocks
existed. A little pricey at $150, but I'll definately consider it. The
only issue is finding space in the main panel for an extra double pole
breaker for the generator, but I can use some twins here and there on
lighting circuits to to free it up.
The interlock kit trader4 showed you is the least expensive "safe" way
to do it but before that product was available I used a double throw
safety switch and sub panel or put it between the lighting panel if it
was separate from the a main panel with the heavy loads. Of course you
run a separate line outdoors to your portable genset and depending on
its capacity you will have to choose which loads to turn off/on as
needed. ^_^
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/1001517...733&storeId=10...
http://tinyurl.com/a9fqckb
TDD- Hide quoted text -
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So that double throw switch has to be put between the main panel and
subpanel, (where the subpanel would have the essential circuits in
them to run off generator) , right?
Exactly. Sometimes there is a separate lighting panel which will have
loads like wall outlets, furnace blower, kitchen, bathroom, etc with
the heavy loads in an outdoor breaker box below the power meter and a
large breaker feeding the indoor panel. Sometimes a separate panel with
the heavy loads could be indoors next to the lighting panel. It depends
on your setup but if there is only one main panel that is not the split
variety (another variation) you can get a sub-panel which will use the
same type breakers you have so you save money on breakers. I had my
local inspector tell me it was OK the use the old panel as a junction
box to splice your circuits for the sub-panel if the wires/cables were
too short to move over to the sub panel. Don't forget the knock out
blank inserts to fill in the openings for the removed breakers. ^_^
TDD- Hide quoted text -
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Lets's go one step further. By any chance do they make double throw
circuit breakerss? So if one wants to wire up just the essential
circuits ( heat, light, etc), there would be 2 terminals on the
individual breaker: one for normal power and one for generator. That
way you just flip the breaker and it will switch to the generator
side.without having to worry about shutting off the main.