Interlock or Transfer Switch?
ohmmm_gw
12 years ago
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wayne440
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoweedmeister
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
want your comments generator transfer switch vs interlock kits
Comments (4)Everyone is correct. The interlock system is far cheaper and easier but you will still need an electrician unless you want to move some breakers around. And you have to know what you are doing or someone is going to get hurt. The interlock requirres addition of a main generator breaker pair set next to the house main breaker with a mechanical arm that prevents the generator breaker being flipped on until the main breaker has been flipped off. I have the interlock. It is super simple and gives you complete control of what circuits you want, need or are able to turn on (the transfer switch must be hard wired for specific circuits and you are then out of luck if you need light in your attic or later realize you could use your ac afterall). However, you get no idea of power consumption and more importantly, no idea when main power is restored or ability to have automatic start and stop of generator. There is a long thread re generators in florida that talks about using a small generator like yours. It suggests you could run your ac....See MorePTO generator hookup to home-w/o transfer switch
Comments (1)and that qualifies as the RIGHT way to do it. it technically makes your panel into a manual transfer switch....See MoreAdvice on generator interlock or 1 circuit furnace transfer switc
Comments (2)I'm no electrician, but I put in that interlock and it works great. I had to move a couple of breakers but I had the room and some extra wire length. I would think the key is that the interlock physically prevents closing the main breaker when the generator is feeding the panel. They sell those generator transfer switches like you're talking about for a few circuits and sometimes with meters so you know the load on each leg. I think you can get a deal if you look around. I installed something like this at my last place: http://cgi.ebay.com/portable-generator-emergency-power-transfer-switch-kit_W0QQitemZ320392076752QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a98db1dd0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50...See MoreMeter base/transfer switch box
Comments (1)Usually the poco holds all the cards about the meter base. My generator runs to the meter base and then to a honking big disconnect switch and then to my transfer switch. I'm isolated from the utility this way....See MoreRon Natalie
12 years agoohmmm_gw
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoohmmm_gw
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agowayne440
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agostinkytiger
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoohmmm_gw
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDavidR
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agostinkytiger
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoweedmeister
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoohmmm_gw
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoweedmeister
12 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
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