Electrican Question

[gramps]

Up here in Mt. WhereinthehellamI we just went thru our weekly blackout drill. This one only lasted for a couple of hours. This has been happening on a regular basis for years now to the point where I keep the 7000 watt generator handy. I want to go to the next step and eliminate the extension cords when I use the generator. I have a main box where the power comes onto my property; it has two breakers, 125 amps each, one for the workshop and one for the house. I would like to cut into the circuit that feeds the house wit an A/B switch and a 120/240 30amp outlet for the generator to feed power to the house. Every time I talk to a local electrician about this they get REAL NERVOUS. Is there some hidden problem that I don't know about?

[Riverbass]

There is no problem but don't use an A/B switch becuse when the power comes back on it will fry your gen. They make a switch that is an auto transfer switch, so when it see's power coming in from the other side it will stop the power from the gen and then just turn off your gen.
good luck.

[probablecause]

auto transfer switch Riverbass is correct on this one. Go online to campingworld.com or another RV parts place and you can get one. RV's use them for exactly what you are wanting to do. Sometimes they are running shore power (plugged in) or they have to use their generator. Their basic function is to keep two sources of power from colliding into one.

[speedneeder]

In this application I would save some money and purchase a manual transfer switch.

[gramps]

There is no problem but don't use an A/B switch becuse when the power comes back on it will fry your gen. They make a switch that is an auto transfer switch, so when it see's power coming in from the other side it will stop the power from the gen and then just turn off your gen.
good luck.
The boat on the right side of your sig looks like it has barstools..........and I thought I was the only barstool boat here!!!

[Riverbass]

A lot of beer has been drank off them barstools.:D :D :D

[probablecause]

In this application I would save some money and purchase a manual transfer switch.This is ***boat and there is no spending cap. Besides, he is running a 7000 watt generator and probably won't be using more than 50 amps at a time. Even a 100 amp manual one from Harbor Freight (http://ww2.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42162) is still 260.00. PPL Motorhome (RV Store (http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-power-cords/automatic-transfer-switch.htm)) has a 50 amp auto transfer on sale for 135.00.

[Sleek-Jet]

There is no problem but don't use an A/B switch becuse when the power comes back on it will fry your gen. They make a switch that is an auto transfer switch, so when it see's power coming in from the other side it will stop the power from the gen and then just turn off your gen.
good luck.
Lineman don't like dieing either, the generator will back feed the system through the transformer.
A throw over switch is mandatory if the generator is hard wired to the house service. You can get transfer switches at Lowes/Home Depot.
Contact the utility and they'll have guidlines on what needs to be installed.

[speedneeder]

You are correct. What am I thinking- save a buck?
I didnt see the advantage to and ATS vs. a MTS. If the gen set has contacts to auto start/stop then it makes good sense. If he has to manually start/stop the generator it kind of defeats the purpose of the automatic version. I didnt look up pricing but if you comparable units that are rated at the same amp/voltage the MTS are typically less money.

[Classic Daycruiser]

You might want to arrange what can be run off the generator. Your generator may not have enough power to run the AC at the same time as other appliances.
Hospitals use backup generators, but not all equipment in the hospital will be hooked up to the backup

[gramps]

You might want to arrange what can be run off the generator. Your generator may not have enough power to run the AC at the same time as other appliances.
Hospitals use backup generators, but not all equipment in the hospital will be hooked up to the backup
I'm up in the mountains.............no A/C here. I don't think I have any one thing in the house that would be a huge draw except the electric stove then it would be bbq time. I know for sure the generator will run the TV, sat. receiver, sound system, refer and computer all at the same time. Micro wave pulls a bit but I think my generator will handle it. I have a Genarac (sp) 7000/12,500.

[CMac]

Lineman don't like dieing either, the generator will back feed the system through the transformer.
A throw over switch is mandatory if the generator is hard wired to the house service. You can get transfer switches at Lowes/Home Depot.
Contact the utility and they'll have guidlines on what needs to be installed.
Yes, this is why the get nervous, the back feed.

[Riverkid]

In this application I would save some money and purchase a manual transfer switch.
Bingo.

[79schiada]

What he said...:)

[carteaco]

Do you want to start the gen. automatically when you loose power?

[gramps]

Do you want to start the gen. automatically when you loose power?
Nope..........I don't want it hard wired into the system either. I want to hook it into the house system when needed.

[carteaco]

Check PMs

[WYRD]

If your gonna do it, do it right. As many have stated put in a transfer switch Manual is all you need for your application then put in a generator plug Like this one (http://www.appletonelec.com/pdf/D-2thru31.pdf) don't cut any corners and be sure to check all the local codes, its fairly simple but if its done wrong you may end up bbq-ing the whole house...:eek: