Sharing Generator

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kfenn22

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Is it possibly to have two buildings sharing the same generator..
I know it is not a good idea, but the owner is pushing me to do this.

The buildings are about 150' about from each other with different normal utility feeds.

The buildings are owned by the same company and he just doesn't want to have two gen sets.

Thanks.
 
No, as I recall, in the World Wide Critical Power Study, a provision was made to put that particular gen in just for you. It's power does not intermingle with any other. True Story.

carl
 
That's good news 'cause I was about to complain to the PSC that I wasn't getting my full $200/mo's worth.
 
I can think of no rule to prohibit this. You may want two transfer switches due to the distance and cost of wire.Also read the rules in art 215, 225 and which ever generator article you fall under - to comply with the disconnecting rules.
 
In the case of two normal sources and one generator, you'll need a 4-pole transfer switch to keep the neutral and ground from being parallel between the two normal sources.
Rick
 
Just done it on my boss's house, he had 3 seperate buildings with three seperate meters, combined all into one 400 amp service at the center building. used one 100 amp transfer switch to feed the guest house, a 200 amp transfer switch to feed the main house, and normal utility only to the storage building that all of this is mounted on. Will have to get pictures posted, this is a monster. Genset is a 60 kw propane with a 300 amp main CB, spilt feed into 2-200 amp MB panels With one feeding 200 amps to the main house T-switch, the other feeding 100 amps to the guest house T-switch, This monstrosity is 20' long!
 
bill j said:
RUWired, could you elaborate a little more on your reasoning. Why a 4-pole transfer switch?
Click to expand...
Because, when under normal utility power, you don't want any conductors tying the separate buildings' neutrals together, so they must be switched.
 
bill j said:
RUWired, could you elaborate a little more on your reasoning. Why a 4-pole transfer switch?
Click to expand...

Like Larry explained, The neutral and ground will be parallel between the two buildings, because of the main bonding jumper at each service. That jumper ties the 2 buildings and makes the parallel connection.The only way to seperate the 2 is via the 4-pole switch. By doing so will make the generator a SDS and the requirements for that will be needed.There isn't anything wrong with suppling the 2 buildings with 1 generator, just the added cost of the equipment, but thats better than having to buy 2 gen sets.
Rick
 
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