Interlocks vs seperate subpanel transfersw.

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brother

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Whats your opionion of the interlocks over subpanel transfer switches?? i see using the interlock can be cheaper, but some of my fellow electricians dont like them and they prefer the standard subpanel transfer switch. They dont like it when you can just remove the panel and then both breakers (utility and generator) can be turned on at the same time.

Interlocks are UL approve and a 'legal' type of transfer switch. Whats your opinion?
 
brother said:
Interlocks are UL approve and a 'legal' type of transfer switch. Whats your opinion?
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I like them both. The interlock is a much cheaper and faster route than the transfer switch or "Gen Tran" style of panels.

They dont like it when you can just remove the panel and then both breakers (utility and generator) can be turned on at the same time.
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Why would anyone ever do that? That falls under the the "what if..." category of extreme paranoia. I would install one and never worry about that.
 
I prefer the transfer switch. It seems more idiot-proof, and sometimes the operators are, well, you know. If they can't figure out the interlock, they might get a wild hair and pull out the pliers. I know, paranoia...

you can just remove the panel and then both breakers (utility and generator) can be turned on at the same time.
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I 'summe you meant remove the panel cover? It seems a lot of trouble to remove a panel.
 
jerm said:
I prefer the transfer switch. It seems more idiot-proof, and sometimes the operators are, well, you know. If they can't figure out the interlock, they might get a wild hair and pull out the pliers. I know, paranoia...



I 'summe you meant remove the panel cover? It seems a lot of trouble to remove a panel.
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Yes i meant panel COVER . sorry for the typo.
 
I like the Interlock kit, but you won't make as much money as if you installed a transfer switch and a generator panel. But...

I added a generator hook-up a house that had multiple sub-panels through-out, I installed the Interlock Kit to speed up the install and to make my life less miserable....:wink:
 
Ats

Ats

I always install automatic transfer switch when I install generators. The customers like counting to 5 and having the lights come back on without fumbling in the dark when the power goes out.
 
The interlocks are listed as breaker panel accessories. The code section requires "transfer equipment". Is a breaker panel accessory "transfer equipment"?
Don
 
Dave_B said:
I always install automatic transfer switch when I install generators. The customers like counting to 5 and having the lights come back on without fumbling in the dark when the power goes out.
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I don't have any reason to doubt you, other than the fact that this sounds like a bunch of bull. I get maybe one residential customer in 20 that's willing to pay for an automatic transfer swtich, and I think I'm a pretty decent salesman. Reason being, the automatic transfer switch also necessitates the use of a different class of generator. Most residential customers with generator setups are just dragging the portable genset out of a shed.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
The interlocks are listed as breaker panel accessories. The code section requires "transfer equipment". Is a breaker panel accessory "transfer equipment"?
Don
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No, it's transfer hardware used to convert the panel into transfer equipment.

What's the beef anyhow? Is the transfer hardware somehow less safe than something designed as transfer equipment from the beginning?
 
ats

ats

"Most residential customers with generator setups are just dragging the portable genset out of a shed.
- Marc."
Oh I see .. I forgot about those. I havn't had one of those for a while. For the last couple of years since I moved up to Wa state I've been installing the generac line (7kw & up) that is sold through "Carrier" HVAC dealers.
 
jwelectric said:
As to the Auto transfer switch I think that 702.5(B)(2) of the 2008 code cycle will lay a big portion of them back on the truck.
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I agree J.W.
Most of the installations I see, would not have been compliant if the 2008 Code was in force.
 
Ats

Ats

jwelectric said:
As to the Auto transfer switch I think that 702.5(B)(2) of the 2008 code cycle will lay a big portion of them back on the truck.
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The generators I've been installing have the automatic transfer switch / load center that becomes powered by the generator so the loads are pre-determined when it is installed for capacity and balance. So I don't see anything in the 08 that would prevent their use.
 
Dave_B said:
The generators I've been installing have the automatic transfer switch / load center that becomes powered by the generator so the loads are pre-determined when it is installed for capacity and balance. So I don't see anything in the 08 that would prevent their use.
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Thats pretty much the reason i asked J.W. that question. I always understood that with Auto trans switches that the LOAD was predetermined. So there should not be an issue. I suppose there are those unique situations that would not have that already.
 
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