[Norm K]

I was going to post the following hours ago, then the wind took out a tree down the street ... and the internet with it.

I recently completed such an install and, after weighing the benefits/shortcomings of the two, chose the less convenient option of an interlock device over a transfer switch.

Without going into the advantages of a transfer switch (and there are definitely some advantages), I went with the interlock device, primarily because it allows me to pick and choose which circuits to have on at a given time, an advantage that for me, outweighed those of the transfer switch.

My house is rural, and without natural gas service, is all electric - heat pump, water heater, range ... all the really energy-intensive stuff. I'd look at whole-house propane (had it in another home and liked it), but all of those items are essentially brand new and the cost of replacing them just means it doesn't make sense.

Anyway, because it's all electric, and because I might need/want the stove and water heater during the day and the heat pump at night, and because we definitely need the well pump, lights and communications at all times, and because I cheaped out and bought only a 13kw generator which can't power everything at once, I wanted to be able to select any of my circuits, not just eight or ten.

Yes, it's less convenient, but the ability to switch off one or two energy intensive circuits and switch that power to something different at any time, and within just a few seconds, made the interlock a better choice for me. If you're going with an even lower output machine it might be a good choice for you, too.



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