House power back up generator question

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Stevenfyeager

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Location
United States, Indiana
Occupation
electrical contractor
My customer wants a whole house generator (automatic), Natural gas. He actually just wants me to have it generator 'ready' when I install his new service upgrade to 200 amp and will add the generator at a later date. It's been a few years since I've installed one an automatic one. There seem to be more varieties now. What generator 'ready' set up do you recommend? Thank you
 
I agree with infinity's advice. You could also put a large Jbox between the meter and the panel and loop the feeders inside it. This will allow you to add the ATS later by cutting the loop and rerouting through the ATS. This may not save much money depending upon your labor rate. You might also exceed the length of feeder your AHJ allows before a remote main breaker is required in which it will definitely not be worthwhile.

If the generator he has in mind will not support the entire load, then load shedding will be an issue. Some ATS's have load shedding built-in or you can add load shedding modules later. If you decide to use modules, leaving a place to mount them near the panel and giving thought to how they will be wired will result in a neater installation.
 
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I would install a 200amp meter combo with feed thru lugs. Customer can now save money as the ATS will not have to be service rated.
 
wallyworld said:
what are feed thru lugs, link to an example?

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You can "Google" it but feed through lugs are just lugs at the bottom of the bus that you can feed another panel from. Unless you're using the tap rules, the conductors must be sized to the main breaker that protects the bus. These are mostly outdoor panels or meter combo units.
 
My standard setup for a new house is to bring the service cable into a trough; install the meter base and disconnect on top of the trough. Makes it much easier to add a transfer switch down the road, or to add/replace components of the service.


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I think the OP may be referring more to how the generator senses power loss. I suggest you get a name transfer switch like an ASCO or a Thomson. The Thomson, I know has two wire control for the generator, but you can add a module for about $120 that will allow it to operate with say an Generac.
 
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