Installing transfer switch to flush mounted breaker box

[David Paul]

I will be installing an 8 circuit transfer switch for my son to hook up a generator when needed. I’ve installed several of these but all of the breaker boxes have been surface mounted. How would you go about installing a surface mounted transfer switch to a flush mounted circuit breaker box?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

easy. cut hole in wall, open panel, open a knockout, put wire clamp in knockout, fish wire thru hole, make knockout in lower left corner of TS, install wire connector, bring wire thru connector, then mount TS.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Maybe this will help:

Check out the generator in the video at 6:16.

 

[fitter30]

Couldn't find a flush panel when i put this in.

 

[mm08822]

Maybe this will help:

Check out the generator in the video at 6:16.

Another how not to do it video..........luv the wires unprotected through the 4" sq into the panel.

And yes, that is some gen system cobbled up!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Maybe this will help:

Check out the generator in the video at 6:16.

wow that generator... wonder if his company is called RedNeck Backwoods Generators LLC

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

wow that generator... wonder if his company is called RedNeck Backwoods Generators LLC

GIT-R-DONE!

 

[larry4406]

The OP states he has installed several of these before, so let's assume he is versed in the process.

The complication this time is that the panel is flush mounted in a wall with paneling applied to it.

Let's also assume the OP does not have any spare paneling and therefore cannot repair the wall surface. This is where I believe the OP is asking for guidance.

OP - Take the panel cover off so we can see how the panel is fed. Hopefully it is mostly fed from the top.

Reliance makes a surface mount kit with a generous flange on it for their 8 and 10 circuit switches

https://www.reliancecontrols.com/products/reliance-controls-pro-tran-flush-mount-kit-8-10-circuits-metal-gray-k2f10-1

The transfer switch itself is 11.75" wide, 11" tall, and 4" deep. The pigtail comes out the bottom.

https://www.amazon.com/30-Amp-10-Circuit-Manual-Transfer-Switch/dp/B00X7WJ5EA?tag=atomicindus08-20

Note how the transfer switch has its pigtail/whip at is bottom. The switch is approximately 11.75" wide horizontally compared to a 16" on center stud bay which will net 14.5"

Here are random internet pictures showing flush and surface mounted installations.


Because of the OP's wall paneling, we can't inspect to see what is in the adjacent stud bays. Could be plumbing, who knows. That said, I would be inclined to mount the unit below the existing panel like the last picture. Study the last picture carefully and note how the transfer switch appears to be flush right to the stud which I assume allows the pigtail/whip to pass vertically along the left side and into the bottom left of the panel.

Unrelated but looking at the OP's panel, I don't see a main breaker.

 

[Happy in NC]

Unrelated but looking at the OP's panel, I don't see a main breaker.

This is the problem I have. Mine house main has a full shut off with an interconnect that just blocks out the generator when not in use. But the shop has no main with an independent meter. How would one handle that kind of sitiuation?

 

[David Paul]

larry4406 is spot on with my dilemma. My son is in NC and I’ll be going down next month to install the panel I have after upgrading to the 10 circuit transfer switch. He’s not inclined to remove the front of the panel. I’ll be curious to find out why there are so many handle tied breakers.

 

[PCustoms]

larry4406 is spot on with my dilemma. My son is in NC and I’ll be going down next month to install the panel I have after upgrading to the 10 circuit transfer switch. He’s not inclined to remove the front of the panel. I’ll be curious to find out why there are so many handle tied breakers.

Better pics would help.

This almost looks like a main:

 

[larry4406]

Better pics would help.

This almost looks like a main:

Agreed better pictures are needed.

With the the zoom pic upright, the upper right 2/4 breaker appears to be a 2-pole 40A labeled Range

With the zoom pic rotated 90 degrees clockwise, the top right 3 double pole breakers (2/4-40A, 6/8-30A, 10/12-30A) all appear to be labeled as Main Disconnect adjacent the stamped breaker positions. Then there is the odd piece of black electric tape adjacent breaker 6/8 as if it were flagging something.

 

[PCustoms]

Agreed better pictures are needed.

With the the zoom pic upright, the upper right 2/4 breaker appears to be a 2-pole 40A labeled Range

With the zoom pic rotated 90 degrees clockwise, the top right 3 double pole breakers (2/4-40A, 6/8-30A, 10/12-30A) all appear to be labeled as Main Disconnect adjacent the stamped breaker positions. Then there is the odd piece of black electric tape adjacent breaker 6/8 as if it were flagging something.

I saw the same thing.

Look at the handwritten key on the door, at least one of those appears to feed another sub

 

[mm08822]

There could be a main disco elsewhere or house originally had the 6 throws of hand rule in an earlier vintage and incorrectly got carried over into this panel.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I will be installing an 8 circuit transfer switch for my son to hook up a generator when needed. I’ve installed several of these but all of the breaker boxes have been surface mounted. How would you go about installing a surface mounted transfer switch to a flush mounted circuit breaker box?

DON'T DO IT !

In the long run, you would be much happier installing a new breaker box with a main and a generator interlock ! With a generator interlock, you can "pick and choose" what circuits you want energized when you fire up the generator !

 

[wyliesdiesels]

This is the problem I have. Mine house main has a full shut off with an interconnect that just blocks out the generator when not in use. But the shop has no main with an independent meter. How would one handle that kind of sitiuation?

transfer switch in between meter and main panel. would have to switch the neutral or make the TS a main and the current main would become a subpanel

or do a branch circuit transfer panel like the one pictured in post #8.

 

[Happy in NC]

make the TS a main and the current main would become a subpanel

I like this but not sure I want to handle it only because it would be live with out Electric company involvement? Been hit by 220 once and 440 once. Once was enough

 

[PCustoms]

I like this but not sure I want to handle it only because it would be live with out Electric company involvement? Been hit by 220 once and 440 once. Once was enough

Thank God it wasn't 240 or 480

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Thank God it wasn't 240 or 480

OR 277……… Whatever it takes!
277 Hurts and you will never forget it when and where it happens.

 

[Happy in NC]

OR 277……… Whatever it takes!
277 Hurts and you will never forget it when and where it happens.

Old school

 

[David Paul]

The transfer switch is the same as in post #8, just 8 circuits instead of 10. It won’t cost him anything because I had it after replacing it with a 10 circuit transfer switch. Cost or should I say lack of, is the reason for going this route. Appreciate all suggestions so far.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I like this but not sure I want to handle it only because it would be live with out Electric company involvement? Been hit by 220 once and 440 once. Once was enough

you would have to call PoCo for a disconnect. They would either pull the meter or disconnect the service entrance at the ******

as far as getting hit by 240 and 480v (220 and 440 dont exist in the US anymore), not sure how that was possible since you would have to be grabbing both phase conductors at the same time. highly unlikely, pretty much impossible....

what most likely happened is you were grounded and touched an ungrounded phase. for 240v you would have been bit by 120v (or 208v if it was hi-leg delta). for 480v it wouldve been 277v on a wye system. or 480v on a Delta system...

its darn near impossible to get hit with phase to phase voltage though... you would intentionally have to be grabbing 2 ungrounded conductors, one in each hand, at the same time.... who does that?

 

[mm08822]

OP needs to answer the question, " Is there a disconnect ahead of this panel?"

Pics would help of the outside meter area.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

OP needs to answer the question, " Is there a disconnect ahead of this panel?"

Pics would help of the outside meter area.

The OP doesnt need to worry about that because theyre installing a branch circuit transfer panel. @Happy in NC is not the OP and is the one with the question about installing a transfer switch after the meter.

 

[mm08822]

The OP doesnt need to worry about that because theyre installing a branch transfer circuit panel. Happy in NC is not the OP and is the one with the question about installing a transfer switch after the meter.

Oops, yup a hijacker.........
but this same info could provide another option for the OP and move to a gen interlock and PIB....providing more flexibility during outage. All depends on what is upstream.

 

[Happy in NC]

Sorry guys. Didn't mean to hijack the page. Woulda preferred to help OP instead

 

[mm08822]

This is the problem I have. Mine house main has a full shut off with an interconnect that just blocks out the generator when not in use. But the shop has no main with an independent meter. How would one handle that kind of sitiuation?

Start another thread and include pics .

 

[alfredeneuman]

I like this but not sure I want to handle it only because it would be live with out Electric company involvement? Been hit by 220 once and 440 once. Once was enough

That would require one to be touching 2 phases.
BTW no 220 or 440 in all of the countries in North and Central America.
I once had an electrician claim he was shocked by 3 phase. I guess he must have held on in each hand and had the third in his.....mouth.

 

[David Paul]

Thanks all for the feedback. It took awhile but I made it back to my son’s house. Flush mount kit installed: