Small generator

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billdozier

Senior Member
Location
gulf coast
Hey guys Ive got a friend who wants to have some of his house generator ready for hurricane season. He has all of his breakers in one panel. So what is out there to make this possible. What codes do I need to watch out for? Ive done whole house gensets but never a small one thanks
 
automatic or manual transfer ?
what Code cycle ?

answer will vary depending on above.
 
I think the cheapest, easiest, code compliant way is to use breaker interlock kit.

You can get them from the panel companies or from here

http://www.interlockkit.com/

By using this you meet code and your friend can pick and choose at any time what loads he wants to run.
 
jrannis said:
Some are poorly made. They do have good tech support to make up for it
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The only type I have installed where made by Square D and I found them very well made. Also came with a metal drilling template so it was an easy install.

But when compared to installing a separate transfer panel even the bad ones must be quicker and you end up with the choice of supplying any circuit. :smile:
 
jwire thanks for the link that is exactly what I was looking for. I went to a big box store and they tried to sell me a transfer switch which isnt what I wanted or need for this application.
 
iwire said:
I think the cheapest, easiest, code compliant way is to use breaker interlock kit.

You can get them from the panel companies or from here

http://www.interlockkit.com/

By using this you meet code and your friend can pick and choose at any time what loads he wants to run.
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How would they get around this;
702.5 (B) System Capacity. The calculations of load on the standby source shall be made in accordance with Article 220 or by another approved method.

Would this mean that his friend would have to do a calculation each and every time that he turned off one thing and turned on something else?
 
jwelectric said:
How would they get around this;
702.5 (B) System Capacity. The calculations of load on the standby source shall be made in accordance with Article 220 or by another approved method.

Would this mean that his friend would have to do a calculation each and every time that he turned off one thing and turned on something else?
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Dont be silly, if the generator trips then you just turn off the last thing you turned on.
 
jwelectric said:
How would they get around this;
702.5 (B) System Capacity. The calculations of load on the standby source shall be made in accordance with Article 220 or by another approved method.

Would this mean that his friend would have to do a calculation each and every time that he turned off one thing and turned on something else?
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With a manual system:
In essence he would be..every time he flipped a breaker :D... if the supply is too small..powers fail & he makes a different selection :)
With an automatic transfer, the calculation would have to be made prior to selecting which circuits to connect.
 
jwelectric said:
How would they get around this;
702.5 (B) System Capacity. The calculations of load on the standby source shall be made in accordance with Article 220 or by another approved method.
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Well first off there it is right in your own quote.

or by another approved method
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Besides my NEC has 702.5(B)(1). :smile:

'The user of the optional standby system shall be permitted to select the load connected to the system.'
 
stickboy1375 said:
The last sentance of 702.5 is good enough for me.
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The Code Style Manual clearly states that a subsection addresses the section directly above it.

702.5 (B) clearly states that the calculations of load on the standby source SHALL be made in accordance with Article 220 or by another approved method.

Then in the last sentence of (B)(1) it states that the end user can choose what circuits they want to be included in this calculation.

In 700 and 701 some circuits are mandated to be on the generator but 702 allows the end user to choose what they want connected to the generator.

I don?t see anything anywhere in 702 that allows the end user to switch something off so they can switch something else on. Could you please point this switching on and off circuits out for me?
 
iwire said:
Well first off there it is right in your own quote.



Besides my NEC has 702.5(B)(1). :smile:

'The user of the optional standby system shall be permitted to select the load connected to the system.'
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So what you are saying is that a homeowner is an approved means for doing a calculation.

Why don't we just do away with Article 220 and just ask the homeowner what they want installed for a service.
 
jwelectric said:
I don?t see anything anywhere in 702 that allows the end user to switch something off so they can switch something else on. Could you please point this switching on and off circuits out for me?
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Mike, on the flip side of that argument, I don't see anything saying the end user can't, and there is nothing in 702 saying that either, so I see this ending in a stalemate. :wink:


Roger
 
I know this is kinda OT, but does anyone have a CH interlock kit they would like to get rid of for less than the $150 offered by the manufacturers?
 
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