Nursemedic
New User
- Location
- Kentucky
- Occupation
- Multiple
We are installing an auto transfer switch in a house that will work like the generac type except it will only control a 120v subpanel of selected circuits. The homeowner has and inverter/battery-generator that can be recharged by solar or if needed an LP generator that is connected to it. The ATS switched both hot and neutral wires.
My foreman said that when he wires subpanels he just uses a single large guage neutral. But with this being connected to an "electronic" type generator, we aren't sure if there could be some current on the neutral that could somehow backfeed to the inverter and damage it. (It's called a Ecoflow Delta pro. 3,600W being fed to the ATS via a 10/2 and a 30A plug connected to the generator.)
The inverter, ATS, and subpanel are all connected to the primary ground via connection at the ATS... but obviously the neutral and ground are NOT bonded in the sub panel itself.
I get that when the power is out that it should be fine, but homeowner needs to be able to turn off the feed breaker and use the subpanel circuits to drain/recharge the batteries every 3 months for his device warranty.
The main questions are:
Can we do this with a single neutral per code? (the box is older and wire a complete mess so we will likely have to rewire the entire thing)
Will there be any way that even a small amount of power from the neutral could feed back to the inverter? (Homeowner said the system cost about $8,000.)
If we don't run a seperate neutral to the subpanel (vs just the one routed through the ATS), wouldn't we then be preventing the breakers from working properly when the ATS switch is in the generator position?
I appreciate any thoughts and help!
My foreman said that when he wires subpanels he just uses a single large guage neutral. But with this being connected to an "electronic" type generator, we aren't sure if there could be some current on the neutral that could somehow backfeed to the inverter and damage it. (It's called a Ecoflow Delta pro. 3,600W being fed to the ATS via a 10/2 and a 30A plug connected to the generator.)
The inverter, ATS, and subpanel are all connected to the primary ground via connection at the ATS... but obviously the neutral and ground are NOT bonded in the sub panel itself.
I get that when the power is out that it should be fine, but homeowner needs to be able to turn off the feed breaker and use the subpanel circuits to drain/recharge the batteries every 3 months for his device warranty.
The main questions are:
Can we do this with a single neutral per code? (the box is older and wire a complete mess so we will likely have to rewire the entire thing)
Will there be any way that even a small amount of power from the neutral could feed back to the inverter? (Homeowner said the system cost about $8,000.)
If we don't run a seperate neutral to the subpanel (vs just the one routed through the ATS), wouldn't we then be preventing the breakers from working properly when the ATS switch is in the generator position?
I appreciate any thoughts and help!
