Single circuit transfer switch and portable generator issue.

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Fred B

Fred B

Senior Member
Location
Upstate, NY
Occupation
Electrician
Customers portable generator has GFCI on the 120v receptacles that's fine and customer has one of those single circuit transfer switches. Now issue is that when trying to use the gen with the transfer switch it'll trip the GFCI on the gen, as soon as extension is plugged in, even with switch in off position. But if I take and rewire circuit, eliminate the transfer switch and isolate from existing utility service and plug into generator it works fine. What am I seeing happening? A faulty transfer switch? The transfer switch does utilize or ties to the utility neutral and grounds. Never used or installed one of these before.
I didn't do any of the installation was simply called to replace a faulty meter pan and the customer needed to have the furnace running. (Living in the NE in winter.)
 
Does the transferswitch transfer both neutral and hot? If not, there’s your problem. You must switch the neutral when the generator is bonded and has gfci protection.
 
hillbilly1 said:
Does the transferswitch transfer both neutral and hot? If not, there’s your problem. You must switch the neutral when the generator is bonded and has gfci protection.
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No not switched, kind of thought might be issue especially when everything worked when direct wired. So how did they ever expect it to work with the 120v 20a receptacle generator plug the transfer switch looks to be designed for?
 
Fred B said:
No not switched, kind of thought might be issue especially when everything worked when direct wired. So how did they ever expect it to work with the 120v 20a receptacle generator plug the transfer switch looks to be designed for?
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I think some of the single circuit transfer switches can be optionally wired to switch or not switch the neutral.
 
hillbilly1 said:
Does it have a twist lock receptacle too? (120 volt) it may not be on the gfi.
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It has twist lock 120/240 4 prong, 30A. Now I've seen these splinters for the twist lock receptacle, but not sure of its legitimate use or listing, comes with split out with 3 single cords.
 
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