Transfer switch

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newt

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If you are installing a manual transfer switch( rated for serv. equipment ) between meter and main do you need to pull equipment ground to the transfer switch from the panel. All the generators have a 4 wire plug and you only have 3 wires between meter and transfer switch. I have seen these installed at that location without the equip. ground for example pole service at farm so how do they hook up the equip ground?
 
newt said:
If you are installing a manual transfer switch( rated for serv. equipment ) between meter and main do you need to pull equipment ground to the transfer switch from the panel. All the generators have a 4 wire plug and you only have 3 wires between meter and transfer switch. I have seen these installed at that location without the equip. ground for example pole service at farm so how do they hook up the equip ground?


If I am reading your post correctly, the transfer switch is now your service disconnecting means.

You would then be supplying the panel from the transfer switch and install an EGC from the transfer sw to the panel.



NOTE:
Remember that all of your grounding electrode conductors should be relocated from the original service panel into the transfer switch as it is now the first point of disconnect (service main disconnect), and in the panel (now your "subpanel") you will be required to separate your grounded (neutral) conductor from the EGC.
 
newt said:
...I have seen these installed at that location without the equip. ground for example pole service at farm so how do they hook up the equip ground?

I have also but the one's I've seen we're not inspected (most likely). As Pierre states the neutral won't be bonded/common with equipment grounding past the service disconnect, this action will work but it will also create a hazardous returning current parallel path, 250-24(A)(5) & 250-142(B) still apply.
 
Why cant you run an equip grnd back to transfer switch treat transfer switch like a subpanel keep neutral and grnds isolated in transfer switch no fuses in transfer switch and keep bond at main panel?
 
newt said:
Why cant you run an equip grnd back to transfer switch treat transfer switch like a subpanel keep neutral and grnds isolated in transfer switch no fuses in transfer switch and keep bond at main panel?

Because you are using it as a service disconnect, and 250-24(A)(5) & 250-142(B) apply.
Maybe you can install it past the exising service disconnect and feed it?
 
So the best way to install a transf. switch would be to back feed a brk with a listed brk lock so the main has to be off? Isolate neutral to ground bond at generator.
 
Maybe, I don't know but is the transfer switch is the service disconnect it is the last place the neutral can bond safely.

Can you use it as your service disconnect and simply feed out from it with an EFC?

Parallel neutral returning current is dangerous in that neutral current travels ALL paths back to source and bonding the neutral past the service disconnect is an intentionally creates a neutral parallel path by using the neutral conductor and metallic conductive items & any other circuit that has a connection to earth throughout the premises wiring system.

1113854601_4.jpg
 
newt said:
So the best way to install a transf. switch would be to back feed a brk with a listed brk lock so the main has to be off? Isolate neutral to ground bond at generator.

Maybe the most common is to feed a transfer switch from distribution then feed out of it, in other words it may be used as a service disconnect if listed for this use but it's not as common probably because of ampere.

Why not just use it as you service disconnect?
 
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