Mep-003

[Engine5]

This makes my head hurt..

 

[Speddmon]

Speddmon:

Assuming I go with a 200 amp transfer switch what size breaker in the main panel where transfer switch is hooked into. I will have to jockey some circuits into my subpanel to make room as the main panel is full. What size wire from breaker to transfer switch #4 (will be short distance 2-3")

If you are feeding the transfer switch with a breaker out of your main panel and then it's going into a sub panel, you can get by with putting a 60 amp breaker in your main panel, and using #6 copper wire from the main to the transfer, and the transfer to the sub.

 

[PeterD]

And as well, there is nothing to prevent breakers at both ends, which would allow smaller wire sizes, more suitable to the application.

As mentioned, the 200 amp transfer swtich requirement is only for automatic switch over systems, and there are some major other requirements (including the fact the generator must be sized to carry the full 200 amps as well) so I don't think we should go there in this thread! We might may everyone's head hurt then...

As to going pin and socket connectors, you can get twist lock connectors with the option for shrouded connectors. In this configuration (which can be retrofitted to any twist-lock connector set) the main holding is the shroud and the pins don't take any physical force. (These are the connectors that I use... very secure and good fit, and I didn't have to spend hundreds of dollars on special connectors.)

And somehow I think I'm replying to almost identical threads on two forums!

 

[3dAngus]

What is a reasonable source of supply and cost for a manual 200a transfer switch. I just checked on ebay and they are priced all over the place.

 

[steelandcanvas]

This makes my head hurt..

You just keep putting out fires, the Sparkies will just have to deal with the headaches.

 

[PeterD]

What is a reasonable source of supply and cost for a manual 200a transfer switch.

Our favorite cheap Chinese stuff store has one: Harbor Freight! I looked at it the other day when I was in with a friend, seemed reasonably well built--did not notice if it had a UL sticker or not (I should have looked, but the Chinese will put fake UL stickers on their fake stuff...)

It was not that cheap, over $200 IIRC. Big too.

 

[Bill W]

I have 400amp service into my house but previous owners installed a sub panel via a transfer switch to run basic essentials, I couldn't figure out why they did all that but after reading about all these ( nec ) code/regs I'll assume they did it this way instead of spending the bucks for a 400amp transfer and code/amp matching genset$$

 

[Speddmon]

And somehow I think I'm replying to almost identical threads on two forums!

That's why I haven't visited the "other" forum in many many months. Plus I want this forum to be the premier military generator information forum. While Smokstak is "technically" an engine forum, this one is dedicated to MV's and MV equipment

 

[Isaac-1]

Harbor Freight sells Cutler Hammer brand 100 and 200 amp transfer switches for a lot lower price than anyone else advertises the same switch. At the moment they are listed for $299 and $399, but they are known to go on sale from time to time. Ebay often has deals, particularly on used transfer switches, when looking also search on the term "double throw switch" also you will often find them listed with breakers and other electrical equipment instead of in the transfer switch section. I have bought 3 off ebay all at very good prices, but it can take time to find a deal.

Ike

p.s. one other brand to check out is Ronk, they use aluminum cases so are light to ship, and often show up on ebay both new an used, I bought one of their 400 amp switches for use with the generator I put at my elderly mother's house (the surprisingly short lever arm is easy for her to use compared to some others), the electrician that installed it was impressed with its design also. (I have also seen these manual switches rebranded and sold under the Generac label)

 

[storeman]

For what it may be worth, Square D makes a very inexpensive switch for their service panels that mounts in the upper breaker location of the panel and has a bracket the slides up into the location of the main breaker switch handle. This provides a code approved transfer switch right in your normal panel serving the normal breakers going to the house.

The way it works is this - you wire your genny into the 2 pole breaker in the upper right slot, and it stays disconnected from the busway in the panel unless you move the bracket which forces you to open the main breaker - then you can close the breaker to the genny. This makes connection of the genny to the grid impossible.

The great thing about this is you can select any of your normal loads to run on the genny! AND ITS CHEAP, SAFE and CODE LEGAL.

pistonium,
I have read about the square-d transfer switch but can't locate it on their website or anywhere for sale. do you have info and a source?
jerry

 

[stampy]

Pistonium is right and the main breaker lockout works great at my house.

 

[PeterD]

I think on Harbor Freight, the way to go is find a coupon, and get some dollars off... Those prices sound about what I noticed when I was there. More than I'd be willing to pay at this point. I do have two high current contactors (three phase/three contacts) that I may use for a transfer switch but that will be next summer's project.

 

[Ken_86gt]

The question was asked about the interlock kits: Generator InterLock Kit

Nice option to a traditional trasnfer switch, cheaper, and probably easier for non experts to install. And it's a whole house solution.

 

[3dAngus]

My main breaker panel is upstairs on the second floor. I can't run wire up there from a generator. I have to have an electrician do an install on the street side of the meter, if it is code permissible, where the underground cable runs to the house. If it is not permissible, I'm just going to do it the old fashioned way, and manually shut off the main prior to any hookup. My Mep003 will run both upstairs and downstairs air and heat, and the energy sucking electric hot water heater as well..

 

[Isaac-1]

There are some interesting meter base transfer switches available on the market (some manual, some automatic, some attach between the existing meter and base, others provide a base) , these replace your normal meter base and provide a place to plug in a 50 amp RV style power cable, which might make better sense in your situation. In some areas utility companies are subsidizing these, it may be worth a phone call to ask your local electric company.

Ike

 

[storeman]

There are some interesting meter base transfer switches available on the market (some manual, some automatic, some attach between the existing meter and base, others provide a base) , these replace your normal meter base and provide a place to plug in a 50 amp RV style power cable, which might make better sense in your situation. In some areas utility companies are subsidizing these, it may be worth a phone call to ask your local electric company.

Ike

Ike,
got a link to one of these? i'd like to learn more about them. thanks.
Jerry

 

[storeman]

Ike,
Disregard my post. Came right up on google.
Jerry

 

[peyton]

There are some interesting meter base transfer switches available on the market (some manual, some automatic, some attach between the existing meter and base, others provide a base) , these replace your normal meter base and provide a place to plug in a 50 amp RV style power cable, which might make better sense in your situation. In some areas utility companies are subsidizing these, it may be worth a phone call to ask your local electric company.

Ike

Around here (Houston) the utility company is replacing our meters with so-called "smart meters" and, far from subsidizing them, is charging us $3+ per month for them. This is probably the wave of the future for a lot of us so beware ... yoiur meter based transfer switch may have to be changed out sooner or later.

Peyton

 

[steelandcanvas]

I have to have an electrician do an install on the street side of the meter, if it is code permissible, where the underground cable runs to the house.

Code doesn't have anything to do with it, the street side of the meter belongs to the utility, and they won't let you do it.

 

[3dAngus]

That's true. No problem. He can just install it, if I decide to go that way, on the other side of the meter. He has access to cabling on both ends of the meter.

Thanks.