| Click to Post a New Message!
Page [ 1 ] |
|
|
|
PTO Generators Observations
First let me say that my house is wired correctly for a generator, and not that anyone should do an improper generator hookup, but if you are in a pinch, there is an easy and almost safe way. Make sure you switch off your main 100, 200, or more amp service disconnect first, this protects the power company. Then, just make a double male extention cord that plugs into your generator 240 outlet and also to a 240 welder, compressor, etc. outlet. Make sure the generator output from it's 240 socket is less than or equal to the amp breaker you are back feeding. This lets you choose any circuit in the house to run and isolates you from the power company. It also keeps you from any "rewiring". I use this method at times when I am renovating a house that is not connected to the power company at all.
|
|
 Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
PTO Generators Observations
I am aware and agree with all your posts. Safety is of great importance, unfortunatly it is the first thing most people are willing to compromise on. Just look at the speed limit and the speed poeple actually drive. Even hooking the generator directly to the main lugs is having a double male cord, male at one end bare wires at the other. Putting your self at risk is one thing, putting others at risk is where the line needs to be drawn. Certainly a person should have a good grasp of what they are doing and the risks involved to remain safe. You know what they say "Common sense isn't"
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
PTO Generators Observations
Steve4300, you are right about the transfer switches being 2 pole, so the grounds are always still connected to the utility wires. Mine is a midwest installed by a licensed electrician and inspected and to code. So if these are ever a problem, it is really a code problem. Before you think Murf is a dummy or just likes to type, remember he is from Canada and it may be different there, as many things are. Heck they even had the flu shot and we couldn't get any. As far as overloading one side of the generator? Doesn't every single person who hooks a 220 generator to a breaker panel, in any manner, that also uses 120 circuits, pose a slight risk of that? When you energize a breaker box with 220, you energize both poles which alternate breakers as you go down each column. If by chance it happens that every other 120 breaker is used at the same time, it could load one side. Other than proper planning of breaker placement, is there any other way to reduce this slim possibility?
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
PTO Generators Observations
"The ground wire is a moot point since one conductor cannot form a circuit, especially when it's grounded anyway."
Murf are you saying in Canada the ground is separated from the neutrals. Here they are all together, which would make sense as to why you thought the neutrals could be more dangerous(not being grounded) like they are here.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
PTO Generators Observations
Steve4300, I have been sitting here wondering why Canada would put an extra transformer on the neutral line so that a mistaken backfeed could be stepped up to make an even bigger problem. If our utility companies start putting transformers on neutrals that carry no current, I will know they are charging too much for electricity.
I am also still wondering how a properly installed transfer switch balances a load that an unsafe hookup fails to do. No breakers changed position at my house. Electrically speaking, isn't feeding both poles at the top of the panel the same as feeding both poles anywhere along them? Just like placing a breaker at the top will result in the same usable power as placing it at the bottom.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
PTO Generators Observations
Harvey, if you play the lottery, there may be a chance you would win it too. I am curious, did whoever install your transfer switch, rebalance the poles in your breaker box?
Ncrunch, I believe the switches you have been looking at are the northern hydraulic variety. El cheapo. I think they are designed for people, who have a small generator, not big enough for the whole house, AND AT THE SAME TIME, are not aware enough to be able to resist the temptation to run everything in the house at once. They attempt to idiot proof the generator a little, and succeed in making the house very inconvenient. If you just buy a regular switch and choose the circuits you want, you can have all circuits available, just not all at once with a small generator.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
PTO Generators Observations
I have never heard of renting a switch, but I am not from NY. Here a good switch ran around $200-250 several years back, but you need some extra stuff to install. Any licensed electrician can do the job. To shut off the house, you just pull the meter, no electric company needed, here anyway. The inspector you probably do need. At the time, I asked the stupid question, "If I only have a 50 amp generator, why do I have to buy a 200 amp transfer switch?" DUH, if I had thought for a moment. You have to have a switch big enough to handle the amp service you have from the power company, not the gen set, which is where those cheap northern partial switches save a little money, they don't transfer the whole load.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
PTO Generators Observations
I didn't really mean you personally should pull the meter, the licensed electrician that did my install pulled the meter. As far as him getting in trouble, that is on him, although I can tell you that PECO seems pretty laid back about the whole thing, but maybe they are not. Too schedule a shutoff takes several days as does getting it turned back on, very inconvenient trying to schedule an electrician and power company at the same time and to have minimal down time.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
PTO Generators Observations
In the town where I have some rental houses, when PECO (Philadelphia Electric Co.) shuts off your power, they come out, pull the meter and install near paper thin clear plastic sleeves on the meter legs and re-install it. A few days later when they can finally fit you in, they come out and remove the little sleeves. Not all houses here can be shut off at the pole and I guess they don't want to keep track of loose meters. I wish I had put in a disconnect before the meter too. I am wondering if there is an easy way to install a beeper or something before the generator transfer switch to let me know when power comes back on. If I had to guess, I'd say code just doesn't allow such a convenience.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Page [ 1 ] | Thread 72825 Filter by Poster:
10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 15 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
|
()
Picture of the Day
DennisCTB
Unanswered Questions
Active Subjects
Hot Topics
Featured Suppliers
|
Gas Generator Weather Protecti
12-07-2004, 15:51 
Digg It 
Del.icio.us