Residential Generator Tap?

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360Youth

360Youth

Senior Member
Location
Newport, NC
We were asked by a customer with an existing standby generator and 200 amp ATS feeding one panel of a 400 amp system if we could feed his second panel as well. Our proposal was to tap the generator conductors at the ATS and feed the second panel manually with an interlock kit so as not to overload the existing generator with additional loads. Assuming all load calculations, tap requirements, and installation methods are per NEC, is there anything prohibiting us from tapping the feeder conductors from the ATS at the first panel instead? It would be a shorter and cleaner run for the customer. My only caution is that the conductors on the interlock breaker would be energized all of the time as opposed to only when the generator is running, but the kit is still fulfilling its intended purpose. I would coordinate "phases" between as a precautionary should someone inadvertently over-ride the interlock down the road. Thanks.
 
360Youth said:
We were asked by a customer with an existing standby generator and 200 amp ATS feeding one panel of a 400 amp system if we could feed his second panel as well. Our proposal was to tap the generator conductors at the ATS and feed the second panel manually with an interlock kit so as not to overload the existing generator with additional loads. Assuming all load calculations, tap requirements, and installation methods are per NEC, is there anything prohibiting us from tapping the feeder conductors from the ATS at the first panel instead? It would be a shorter and cleaner run for the customer. My only caution is that the conductors on the interlock breaker would be energized all of the time as opposed to only when the generator is running, but the kit is still fulfilling its intended purpose. I would coordinate "phases" between as a precautionary should someone inadvertently over-ride the interlock down the road. Thanks.
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Why would the interlock breaker conductors be hot all of the time, unless you are coming off the load side of the ATS?
 
Since your doing that, why not just install a 100 amp breaker in the panel that is feed by the ATS? You did not say what size the generator was, but 100 amps would be more than sufficient even if the generator was rated at 200 amps. It would be easier and cheaper than trying to tap the 200 amp conductors, also the feed to the interlock breaker could be turned off without having to turn off the other panel.
 
hillbilly1 said:
Since your doing that, why not just install a 100 amp breaker in the panel that is feed by the ATS? You did not say what size the generator was, but 100 amps would be more than sufficient even if the generator was rated at 200 amps. It would be easier and cheaper than trying to tap the 200 amp conductors, also the feed to the interlock breaker could be turned off without having to turn off the other panel.
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I am planning on tapping the 200 amp conductors in the ATS fed house panel A to the interlock breaker in panel B. The interlock breaker would be fed by the ATS load or generator, making the conductors energized 24/7. I have never connected this way in the past, but in this circumstance would save considerable effort, materials, and aesthetics.
 
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