Anyone using an interlock for their generator?

[mike93lx]

you can't take 400 from the 400/320 meter pan to a 400a ATS then split coming out of the 400a ATS?


its also a slight increase in redundancy with split 200s. and frankly easier to source anymore. so I get it.

I don't know if a split lug pan has the connections for a 320/400 feeder on one set of wires. Maybe you can parallel them?

No idea. Either way it isn't materially different in cost to do two ats's vs one, plus you have some redundancy in the event of a failure.

 

[D45]

I really like the transfer switch idea alot, but the price installed is crazy

 

[jeepxj]

I really like the transfer switch idea alot, but the price installed is crazy

for this particular case with a yard distro its really not. we're talking 200 bucks in parts.

 

[ddurrett896]

A downside to interlocks is that you don't know when the power is back on unless you install a power back alarm, manually check by flipping back to utility power or see lights on at a neighbor that doesn't have a generator

Flick 30 amp breaker to off (feed from generator), flick main breaker to on. Takes 2 seconds to check.

 

[mike93lx]

Flick 30 amp breaker to off (feed from generator), flick main breaker to on. Takes 2 seconds to check.

Holy ****. What an amazing idea!

 

[jeepxj]

Flick 30 amp breaker to off (feed from generator), flick main breaker to on. Takes 2 seconds to check.

its quick if you just flip the main on. the generator will stop if the grid is back.

 

[dcg9381]

A transfer switch is $700 dollars. Interlock is only 40 or so. Why spend all that money if an interlock will work?

I have both. The auto transfer switch is on the house. Generator is stand alone, 500 gallon of LPG, exercises itself. Power outage and I'm not home, the spouse isn't going to call and ask me how to make it work. Internet stays up, wifi stays up, security stays up on battery backups until the ATS turns the generator on.


The shop is on an interlock. The interlock cost about $150 (https://interlockkit.com/). Why? Two reasons:
1) It's got solar on it, so I have to lock the solar out when turning the generator on. No easy way to do it with an ATS.
2) The "shop" generator is portable and has other uses...

 

[exranger06]

I have an interlock kit. It was the cheapest and easiest way to hook up a generator. We rarely lose power, so it wasn't worth investing a ton of money into a generator setup. I also like the flexibility of being able to power any circuit I want. I installed a PowerBack alarm too, so I know when utility power comes back. I just hope we don't lose power with a foot of snow on the ground (happened once before, but that was before I had a generator). I'd have to drag the generator about 25 feet through the snow to reach the power inlet (should've bought a longer cord). If/when I ever build a storage shed, I'm definitely running electric power to it, and will definitely relocate my inlet to the shed. Then I can store the generator in the shed, and when I need it, just wheel it just outside the shed door, plug it into the inlet, and fire it up.

 

[Noltz]

I've got an interlock setup. I had to move several circuits to tandems to get the space I needed (We added a 60A feed to the garage at the same time). I used a Generac L14-30P inlet box wired with 8/3 NM-b to a 30A breaker on my panel. Like exranger06 above it was a cheap way to feed the whole house. My generator is housed in a partially insulated (rockwool sound) shed 50' from the house, and I'm using a 100' 30A cord to get power from that shed to the house, plugged in and rolled up on the wall of the shed. I run the generator every 2 weeks for 20 minutes or so with a space heater for load. The exhaust is ducted outside, and the rafters are open so there's plenty of ventilation. I keep a quantity of fuel on hand. I've had it running for an hour in the summer and it did not get hot in the shed even with the door closed.

Power out situation; Grab keys and flashlight from closet. Start the generator and walk the line up to the inlet. Go back inside to the load center and flip the breakers needed. All breakers have Green or Red stickers on them for Go or No Go. I'm up and running within 3-4 minutes no matter the weather.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have an interlock on mine. The generator inlet is on the back of the garage, the interlock is in the meter main on the pole about 200' away. I haven't used it yet in the five years I've been in the "country", but I figure if we have a power outage, I can fire up the generator and plug it in and it can be warming up while I make my trek across the yard. I did have close to the same setup and used it a couple of times when I lived in town, the difference being there was no interlock and I had a suicide cord that plugged into a 14-50 in the garage. I always wanted to put an interlock in, but I wouldn't remember until the power was out.