Generator transfer panel help needed

flatbutt · 01-07-2016, 08:54 AM

Guys, I recently upgraded to a larger portable generator that can handle the whole house. My previous gennie couldn't so the transfer panel was wired into specific circuits. I now want to wire it so the entire main panel is connected to the gennie.

I can't get an electrician to come do it because the job is so small. Can anyone here provide me with or guide me to a step by step on how to do this myself? I'm no dummy and can handle the work but want to follow proper install procedure.

And all respondents are hereby publicly indemnified against any and all responsibility for trying to help. I alone bear all responsibility for this.

TIA

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

flatbutt · 01-07-2016, 09:22 AM

Thanks James but thats not what i was looking for. I'm talking about the small box that gets wall mounted next to the house main panel and is manually switched on when power goes out.

rick-l · 01-07-2016, 09:30 AM

I am an amateur but I can't see how you are going top do this without pulling the meter and installing another box.

stomachmonkey · 01-07-2016, 09:42 AM

No idea but I imagine you would feed the genie then feed the panel

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

The ATS - Automatic transfer switch - goes between the meter, or hopefully your manual disconnect, and the main circuit feed for the house panel.

If you do not have a whole house external disconnect, you will have to have the meter pulled by your electric company. I suggest this all be done by an electrician. Also add in an external disconnect between your transfer switch and the meter, if it isn't there.

VincentVega · 01-07-2016, 10:14 AM

Can just wire the gen plug to backfeed but you need to be careful and there is room for error. Alternatively, move the desired loads to the manual transfer switch then wire the switch to the panel. The switch handles the backfeed issue. Not for whole house but instead a few circuits you choose, usually all a portable gen can handle anyway.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

TargaTony · TargaTony's Garage

The best way to do it is to feed from the meter to the transfer switch. The transfer switch will be feed (line side) from both the generator and meter. The load side of the transfer switch will now feed the panel.
If you do not want to do this... Your other option is to feed the generator from a 2 pole xx amp breaker. this can be very dangerous! the main breaker must be shut off if the generator breaker is feeding the house or you will have a BIG problem.
They make a item called a Kirk Key Interlock. This device only allows one of the breakers to be on at a time. It is like a key switch that is only accessible if one of the breakers is in the off position.
Hope this helps!

1990C4S · 11:43 AM

First off, how big is your generator?

Lots of guys just make a male-male plug...disconnect from the grid, plug in your male-male cable, and turn on the breaker that is sized to protect your generator.

And I only say this since you indemnified me. It isn't a very safe way to do things, but it is common.

dafischer · 01-07-2016, 10:55 AM

Flatbutt, I've got a very good electrician who lives in Hackettstown. He might be able to help you out, as he's a Generac rep and installer, so he's familiar with the requirements. He did a small job for me earlier this week, so he may be interested in helping you out. He's reasonable as well. PM me and I can supply his contact info if you'd like.

Crowbob · 01-07-2016, 11:04 AM

The easiest way is to install an approved generator interlock switch if you're using a portable generator. It is not automatic but with a portable generator it doesn't need to be.

VINMAN · 01-07-2016, 11:24 AM

Do yourself a favor, and check with your local code official. That will definitely require a meter pull and an inspection, and they might require a licensed electrician to do the install. Every town and inspector is different.

.

bkreigsr · 01-07-2016, 12:11 PM

......then you have to get the utility co. to come out and re-seal the meter, which they will not perform until they get a copy of the signed-off municipal permit and inspection.
FWIW, total time to get the permits, inspection, and meter re-sealed (utility co. had to replace the old meter because it was out-dated) was over three months. I had the main panel replaced when I added the transfer box. Total for permits was $150.00, and about 50 phone calls.
Bill K

Jay Auskin · 12:29 PM

So are you thinking an interlock switch such as this?

Generator InterLock Kit Manual Transfer Switch

You'll need another 240V "inlet" (not an outlet, as you don't want to use a home-made male "suicide cord" with a hot plug end if your gennie is running). But, YouTube installing a 240V outlet/circuit, and this should pretty much give you the info you need.

The other option w/o disconnecting at the meter is a transfer switch where you need to tie into individual circuits. More work, of course.

gizmofixer · 01-07-2016, 12:37 PM

I've got a 5kw rated automatic transfer switch available for $100 if you're interested....
It's a Kohler but can certainly be adapted to your Generac.

flatbutt · 01-07-2016, 05:36 PM

Thanks all, my neighbor is a licensed union electrician. I was talking to him about it tonight and while he doesn't have the time to do it he put me in touch with a guy he knows is looking for work. He STRONGLY urged me to not not try it myself. So I'll be going with his guy.

Many thanks all!

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Good Choice.

Evans, Marv · 09:01 PM

I think this may be the type of thing you are asking about. Years ago, I bought a 10KW generator (Generac) at Costco to use for construction on my house. Turned out I really didn't need it. At about the same time they had these load transfer boxes. I didn't need one, but I thought I might some day so bought it. It handles a total of 7.2KW. After the house was finished, I figured I might just as well use the generator and the load center to power some items during outages. I left a piece of plastic pipe in the wall for the power cable to pass through. It came as a kit with a junction box to mount on the outside wall to pass the cable through to the transfer box inside. I had an electrician I know install it. He thought it was pretty cool and was going to look into the availability of them since he said he made all of the ones he had done before by hand. At the time he charged me $350 & and said he charged $800/$900 for the ones he made & installed. The panel circuits you choose to use are wired into the transfer box and operated by the switches. With a switch at the off position the circuit is a regular line circuit. When the switch is changed to the center position, it isolates the line circuit from the house. When the switch is moved to the down position, the circuit transfers power from the generator. You can use all circuits of ones you choose as long as you don't exceed the power limit. Since we never have power out for very long, I only hooked it up to circuits for freezer, refrig, lights, some outlets, etc. All of the circuits together fall way below 7.2KW. Here are a few pics. The box has breakers for each circuit and shows the mount of power your are using. Sorry, the junction box pic is on its side. If you are going to wire the whole panel, you should be able to find a switch like each one of these to isolate the panel & switch over.