Backup power question...

[hillbilly1]

Dumb question: what powers the shunt trip?

The generator until it trips!

 

[steve66]

There are companies that make cabinets just for tying in a temp generator. This is just one I found doing a quick search:

http://www.bertholdelectric.com/gusBerthold/pdf/BE_PrtGenBrch.pdf

I can't remember the brand of the ones I have specified before.

 

[petersonra]

it almost seems like for all this screwing around it might be just as cost effective to buy a real trasnfer switch.

 

[iceworm]

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it almost seems like for all this screwing around it might be just as cost effective to buy a real trasnfer switch.

I've not ever seen a 1600A (or 3000A) transfer switch. I'm sure someone makes one - although I don't know why. All the installations I have seen are two electric interlocked 1600A CBs in switchgear. Of course that means the install is three wire and one has to do something with the neutral - also probably still true for the proposed install.

In this case, the certification is the point. Considering the temporary gen will be used once/decade to never, the install can be pretty inconvient and it won't matter. Just needs to be safe and have a good procedure. Ful has it really, really, really, well covered. Like the man said, "I think that is enough dynamite, Butch."

ice

 

[hillbilly1]

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I've not ever seen a 1600A (or 3000A) transfer switch. I'm sure someone makes one - although I don't know why. All the installations I have seen are two electric interlocked 1600A CBs in switchgear. Of course that means the install is three wire and one has to do something with the neutral - also probably still true for the proposed install.

ice

They use motorized breakers tied to a common buss, I have installed lots of 2000 amp ones. They are electrically and mechanically interlocked.