I *think* that's the correct term, but I'm not sure; it's the gizmo one
would put between a small generator, your house and the utility
connection, to cut in the generator and take you "off the grid" in case
of a power outage.

Yes, I tried a Google search but didn't find anything useful. Have a
customer who's asking about this. In fact, they mentioned the dreaded
male-to-male plug that was ridiculed here not long ago. Thankfully I've
talked them out of using *that*. (At least they knew that you've gotta
disconnect from the utility lines if you connect a genset to your house.)

I'd like something basic, not too fancy, but smart enough to handle the
whole connect/disconnect routine safely in case of an emergency. Say in
the 5-10 KW range.


--
Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the
powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.

- Paulo Freire

It is called a Transfer Switch. It can be bought at Lowe's or Home Depot.

Should be installed by a qualified electrician.

James

David Nebenzahl wrote:

I *think* that's the correct term, but I'm not sure; it's the gizmo one
would put between a small generator, your house and the utility
connection, to cut in the generator and take you "off the grid" in case
of a power outage.

Yes, I tried a Google search but didn't find anything useful. Have a
customer who's asking about this. In fact, they mentioned the dreaded
male-to-male plug that was ridiculed here not long ago. Thankfully I've
talked them out of using *that*. (At least they knew that you've gotta
disconnect from the utility lines if you connect a genset to your house.)

I'd like something basic, not too fancy, but smart enough to handle the
whole connect/disconnect routine safely in case of an emergency. Say in
the 5-10 KW range.

--
Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the
powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.

- Paulo Freire

I suspect that "the gizmo one would put between a small generator, your
house and the utility
connection, to cut in the generator and take you "off the grid" in case
of a power outage" is a "TRANSFER SWITCH" (a manual one likely would be
fine and relatively inexpensive - my 1-circuit, 15 amp was less than
$100) NOT a "grid intertie". An intertie (relatively expensive) would
allow him safely to feed power back into the grid. Here's a link for
some info:

http://www.solarkits.com/learninverters.htm

On Jan 10, 1:23*am, David Nebenzahl wrote:
I *think* that's the correct term, but I'm not sure; it's the gizmo one
would put between a small generator, your house and the utility
connection, to cut in the generator and take you "off the grid" in case
of a power outage.

Yes, I tried a Google search but didn't find anything useful. Have a
customer who's asking about this. In fact, they mentioned the dreaded
male-to-male plug that was ridiculed here not long ago. Thankfully I've
talked them out of using *that*. (At least they knew that you've gotta
disconnect from the utility lines if you connect a genset to your house.)

I'd like something basic, not too fancy, but smart enough to handle the
whole connect/disconnect routine safely in case of an emergency. Say in
the 5-10 KW range.

--
* Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the
powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.

- Paulo Freire

Transfer Switch. Look for prewired complete kits. Generac has a kit
prewired anybody that has no fear of working in a panel can install,
it has labeled wires its prewired, 6 -15a circuits-2 watt meters to
balance the gen. It can power one 240v circuit and 4- 120v or 6 120v.
It comes with exterior cable to gen, exterior weather box and outlet,
several big plugs for different gens. I got it free at lowes with a
5500w generac. Its about 2-300 retail. There are other makes, just get
a complete kit its alot cheaper. If the kit was bought by part singly,
it might be 400+. Lowes has at times had specials where its free with
a gen.

"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
s.com...
I *think* that's the correct term, but I'm not sure; it's the gizmo one
would put between a small generator, your house and the utility connection,
to cut in the generator and take you "off the grid" in case of a power
outage.

Yes, I tried a Google search but didn't find anything useful. Have a
customer who's asking about this. In fact, they mentioned the dreaded
male-to-male plug that was ridiculed here not long ago. Thankfully I've
talked them out of using *that*. (At least they knew that you've gotta
disconnect from the utility lines if you connect a genset to your house.)

I'd like something basic, not too fancy, but smart enough to handle the
whole connect/disconnect routine safely in case of an emergency. Say in
the 5-10 KW range.


--
Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the
powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.

- Paulo Freire

There are a few ways to safely do this. First method is standard double pole
double throw transfer switch and generator panel. This method is the most
costly and requires a sub panel dedicated to circuits you want controlled by
generator power. A feeder from the main panel and a feeder from the
generator are brought into this switch, and an output line from the switch
feeds the sub panel. All the loads must be relocated from the main panel to
the sub panel.

The second method is a prewired generator transfer panel. These come with a
number of circuit breakers and single pole double throw switches prewired
and you attach this next to your main panel and reconnect whatever loads
you'd like controlled by the generator, to wiring in the panel. They also
have a male twist lok plug built into the face of the panel for easy
connection to the generator.

The third method is a main panel lockout. This is a retrofit device made
specifically for certain make and model panels that allows you to backfeed
generator power into the main panel and mechanically prevents the main
service disconnect from being energized at the same time as the backfeed
breaker from the generator

ransley wrote:

-snip-
Transfer Switch. Look for prewired complete kits. Generac has a kit
prewired anybody that has no fear of working in a panel can install,
it has labeled wires its prewired, 6 -15a circuits-2 watt meters to
balance the gen. It can power one 240v circuit and 4- 120v or 6 120v.
It comes with exterior cable to gen, exterior weather box and outlet,
several big plugs for different gens. I got it free at lowes with a
5500w generac. Its about 2-300 retail. There are other makes, just get
a complete kit its alot cheaper. If the kit was bought by part singly,
it might be 400+. Lowes has at times had specials where its free with
a gen.

Here's one for $200.
http://www.apelectric.com/ProductDet...uctCode=20216V

Can't vouch for AP Electric yet as I haven't gotten around to ordering
mine-- Note that one is only 20amp- there is a 30 amp one on the
site-- and lots of bigger/smaller ones.

Jim

"Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message
...
ransley wrote:

-snip-
Transfer Switch. Look for prewired complete kits. Generac has a kit
prewired anybody that has no fear of working in a panel can install,
it has labeled wires its prewired, 6 -15a circuits-2 watt meters to
balance the gen. It can power one 240v circuit and 4- 120v or 6 120v.
It comes with exterior cable to gen, exterior weather box and outlet,
several big plugs for different gens. I got it free at lowes with a
5500w generac. Its about 2-300 retail. There are other makes, just get
a complete kit its alot cheaper. If the kit was bought by part singly,
it might be 400+. Lowes has at times had specials where its free with
a gen.

Here's one for $200.
http://www.apelectric.com/ProductDet...uctCode=20216V

Can't vouch for AP Electric yet as I haven't gotten around to ordering
mine-- Note that one is only 20amp- there is a 30 amp one on the
site-- and lots of bigger/smaller ones.

Jim

I'd be a little careful with this. The picture shown does not match the
description.

On Jan 10, 6:52*am, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
ransley wrote:

-snip-

Transfer Switch. Look for prewired complete kits. Generac has a kit
prewired anybody that has no fear of working in a panel can install,
it has labeled wires its prewired, 6 -15a circuits-2 watt meters *to
balance the gen. It can power one 240v circuit and 4- 120v or 6 120v.
It comes with exterior cable to gen, exterior weather box and outlet,
several big plugs for different gens. I got it free at lowes with a
5500w generac. Its about 2-300 retail. There are other makes, just get
a complete kit its alot cheaper. If the kit was bought by part singly,
it might be 400+. Lowes has at times had specials where its free with
a gen.

Here's one for $200.http://www.apelectric.com/ProductDet...uctCode=20216V

Can't vouch for AP Electric yet as I haven't gotten around to ordering
mine-- * *Note that one is only 20amp- there is a 30 amp one on the
site-- and lots of bigger/smaller ones.

Jim

The Generac I have has no plug on the panel, it came with a weather
proof exterior box and socket. If you have to plug it in on the panel
it means and extra long and very expensive by foot price, exterior
grade 4 wire 8-10ga cable, and you will need an opening to feed it in
the house. The hardwire exterior box was the biggest job, but it makes
hooking it up quicker and was cheaper than if I had used cable to the
basement. For an exterior box and socket you will spend near 100$ +,
that is included in the generac kit I have. The box there looks good,
but also the extra sockets in the generac kit are worth 60-80$, Id say
shop for the complete wired kit so you buy nothing extra at big cost.

On Jan 10, 1:23*am, David Nebenzahl wrote:
I *think* that's the correct term, but I'm not sure; it's the gizmo one
would put between a small generator, your house and the utility
connection, to cut in the generator and take you "off the grid" in case
of a power outage.

Yes, I tried a Google search but didn't find anything useful. Have a
customer who's asking about this. In fact, they mentioned the dreaded
male-to-male plug that was ridiculed here not long ago. Thankfully I've
talked them out of using *that*. (At least they knew that you've gotta
disconnect from the utility lines if you connect a genset to your house.)

I'd like something basic, not too fancy, but smart enough to handle the
whole connect/disconnect routine safely in case of an emergency. Say in
the 5-10 KW range.

--
* Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the
powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.

- Paulo Freire

Check Lowes, to see if they have the free give away panel, with a gen
deal. The Generac kit panel has worked well for me and was easy to
install.

In article , "RBM"
wrote:

"Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message
...
ransley wrote:

-snip-
Transfer Switch. Look for prewired complete kits. Generac has a kit
prewired anybody that has no fear of working in a panel can install,
it has labeled wires its prewired, 6 -15a circuits-2 watt meters to
balance the gen. It can power one 240v circuit and 4- 120v or 6 120v.
It comes with exterior cable to gen, exterior weather box and outlet,
several big plugs for different gens. I got it free at lowes with a
5500w generac. Its about 2-300 retail. There are other makes, just get
a complete kit its alot cheaper. If the kit was bought by part singly,
it might be 400+. Lowes has at times had specials where its free with
a gen.

Here's one for $200.
http://www.apelectric.com/ProductDet...uctCode=20216V

Can't vouch for AP Electric yet as I haven't gotten around to ordering
mine-- Note that one is only 20amp- there is a 30 amp one on the
site-- and lots of bigger/smaller ones.

Jim

I'd be a little careful with this. The picture shown does not match the
description.

Where's the discrepancy?

On Jan 10, 7:34*am, Smitty Two wrote:
In article , "RBM"
wrote:





"Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message
.. .
ransley wrote:

-snip-
Transfer Switch. Look for prewired complete kits. Generac has a kit
prewired anybody that has no fear of working in a panel can install,
it has labeled wires its prewired, 6 -15a circuits-2 watt meters *to
balance the gen. It can power one 240v circuit and 4- 120v or 6 120v.
It comes with exterior cable to gen, exterior weather box and outlet,
several big plugs for different gens. I got it free at lowes with a
5500w generac. Its about 2-300 retail. There are other makes, just get
a complete kit its alot cheaper. If the kit was bought by part singly,
it might be 400+. Lowes has at times had specials where its free with
a gen.

Here's one for $200.
http://www.apelectric.com/ProductDet...uctCode=20216V

Can't vouch for AP Electric yet as I haven't gotten around to ordering
mine-- * *Note that one is only 20amp- there is a 30 amp one on the
site-- and lots of bigger/smaller ones.

Jim

I'd be a little careful with this. The picture shown does not match the
description.

Where's the discrepancy?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

It looks right in the description, but depending on generator distance
12ga is probably to small to keep the gen away from the house, that
exterior cable is not cheap at all.

ransley wrote:
On Jan 10, 1:23 am, David Nebenzahl wrote:
I *think* that's the correct term, but I'm not sure; it's the gizmo one
would put between a small generator, your house and the utility
connection, to cut in the generator and take you "off the grid" in case
of a power outage.

Yes, I tried a Google search but didn't find anything useful. Have a
customer who's asking about this. In fact, they mentioned the dreaded
male-to-male plug that was ridiculed here not long ago. Thankfully I've
talked them out of using *that*. (At least they knew that you've gotta
disconnect from the utility lines if you connect a genset to your house.)

I'd like something basic, not too fancy, but smart enough to handle the
whole connect/disconnect routine safely in case of an emergency. Say in
the 5-10 KW range.

--
Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the
powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.

- Paulo Freire

Check Lowes, to see if they have the free give away panel, with a gen
deal. The Generac kit panel has worked well for me and was easy to
install.

I left mine to an electrical contractor who also replaced my original
panel. I know you can DYI but I have never done major electrical work
and decided to let a pro do it.

"Smitty Two" wrote in message
news
In article , "RBM"
wrote:

"Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message
...
ransley wrote:

-snip-
Transfer Switch. Look for prewired complete kits. Generac has a kit
prewired anybody that has no fear of working in a panel can install,
it has labeled wires its prewired, 6 -15a circuits-2 watt meters to
balance the gen. It can power one 240v circuit and 4- 120v or 6 120v.
It comes with exterior cable to gen, exterior weather box and outlet,
several big plugs for different gens. I got it free at lowes with a
5500w generac. Its about 2-300 retail. There are other makes, just get
a complete kit its alot cheaper. If the kit was bought by part singly,
it might be 400+. Lowes has at times had specials where its free with
a gen.

Here's one for $200.
http://www.apelectric.com/ProductDet...uctCode=20216V

Can't vouch for AP Electric yet as I haven't gotten around to ordering
mine-- Note that one is only 20amp- there is a 30 amp one on the
site-- and lots of bigger/smaller ones.

Jim

I'd be a little careful with this. The picture shown does not match the
description.

Where's the discrepancy?

The picture shown, has a 15 amp u-ground attachment not a 20 amp twist lok

RBM wrote:

"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
s.com...
I *think* that's the correct term, but I'm not sure; it's the gizmo one
would put between a small generator, your house and the utility connection,
to cut in the generator and take you "off the grid" in case of a power
outage.

Yes, I tried a Google search but didn't find anything useful. Have a
customer who's asking about this. In fact, they mentioned the dreaded
male-to-male plug that was ridiculed here not long ago. Thankfully I've
talked them out of using *that*. (At least they knew that you've gotta
disconnect from the utility lines if you connect a genset to your house.)

I'd like something basic, not too fancy, but smart enough to handle the
whole connect/disconnect routine safely in case of an emergency. Say in
the 5-10 KW range.


--
Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the
powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.

- Paulo Freire

There are a few ways to safely do this. First method is standard double pole
double throw transfer switch and generator panel. This method is the most
costly and requires a sub panel dedicated to circuits you want controlled by
generator power. A feeder from the main panel and a feeder from the
generator are brought into this switch, and an output line from the switch
feeds the sub panel. All the loads must be relocated from the main panel to
the sub panel.

The second method is a prewired generator transfer panel. These come with a
number of circuit breakers and single pole double throw switches prewired
and you attach this next to your main panel and reconnect whatever loads
you'd like controlled by the generator, to wiring in the panel. They also
have a male twist lok plug built into the face of the panel for easy
connection to the generator.

The third method is a main panel lockout. This is a retrofit device made
specifically for certain make and model panels that allows you to backfeed
generator power into the main panel and mechanically prevents the main
service disconnect from being energized at the same time as the backfeed
breaker from the generator

The third method is by far the easiest and most flexible if an interlock
kit is available for your main panel. I use the Square D kit for my QO
panel and it works well. The nice part is that since you are back
feeding through a dedicated circuit breaker this setup can handle up to
a 30kW generator (125A max branch breaker size), just as easily as a
smaller generator. It's also the most cost effective since the kit is
~$30 + whatever size generator breaker you need. Installation also takes
very little time and effort.

If you don't have a main panel that an interlock kit is available for,
method number two is generally best for the generator size range
indicated. The full transfer switches (method one) are generally not
economical choices for small generators.

On 1/10/2009 12:38 AM Erma1ina spake thus:

David Nebenzahl wrote:

I *think* that's the correct term, but I'm not sure; it's the gizmo one
would put between a small generator, your house and the utility
connection, to cut in the generator and take you "off the grid" in case
of a power outage.

I suspect that "the gizmo one would put between a small generator,
your house and the utility connection, to cut in the generator and
take you "off the grid" in case of a power outage" is a "TRANSFER
SWITCH" (a manual one likely would be fine and relatively inexpensive
- my 1-circuit, 15 amp was less than $100) NOT a "grid intertie".

Thanks. Amazing how much better a search goes when you use the right term!


--
Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the
powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.

- Paulo Freire