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Metallitubby
Well-known member
Ironically, Eaton's Tech Services just emailed me back as well. From what I can decipher, it will backfeed the panel with the required parts highlighted on the picture below:
Eaton Load Center - CSR or BR?
- Thread starter Metallitubby
- Start date
Ironically, Eaton's Tech Services just emailed me back as well. From what I can decipher, it will backfeed the panel with the required parts highlighted on the picture below:
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
It looks like the house load center/subpanel, can accept a bolt on main at the top.
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Metallitubby
Well-known member
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
This is good news... right?
Well sure but sounds like youre going wih a backfed main, which should be fine as well.
Backfed main and gen breaker just go next to each other.
Im not a fan of BR panels or backfed mains but youre already committed here.
CH wouldve been far better panel.
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Metallitubby
Well-known member
It's funny you bring this up. It was your comment earlier on that made me confront my GC about allowing us, the homeowners to choose certain items. His response:
"In the 25yrs of building houses, I've never had a homeowner request a different electrical panel"
At the very least, I've planted the seed that he shouldn't just assume.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Most people don't know there are options or at least that there are differences.
This one interaction won't change someone that has been doing the same thing for 25 years. Imagine the headaches if he starts asking people what panel they want
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Metallitubby
Well-known member
Good point.
Hindsight. I wish I would've been asked, or at least knew beforehand to ask about it. Thanks GarageJournal!
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Metallitubby
Well-known member
Update (again)
The EC currently working at my house build is a *****. I will need to bring in another EC to finish at least the generator portion of the wiring. He refuses to install a main breaker in the house panel to backfeed the house panel, even after I showed him the email from Eaton regarding the proper installation (and GJ's help too).
The EC currently working at my house build is a *****. I will need to bring in another EC to finish at least the generator portion of the wiring. He refuses to install a main breaker in the house panel to backfeed the house panel, even after I showed him the email from Eaton regarding the proper installation (and GJ's help too).
Dave Nelson
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Did he give you a reason why?
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Metallitubby
Well-known member
I think he's a little ****-hurt that he has/had never heard of a generator interlock. He had the entire system designed in his head, and I threw a wrench into his "plan" by asking for an interlock and 50A generator inlet.
Part of the problem here is the GC and his understanding of what I am asking for as well. I can't let the EC take all the heat here.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
So he had the entire system designed in his head?
How did he have it designed?
How did he have it designed?
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Metallitubby
Well-known member
It certainly wasn't communicated to me or the GC.
Single meter w/ the house and shop as sub-panels. Yesterday he finally communicated to me/us that the meter base will have the main breaker panel.
These are things that I have asked for, for quite some time. Even on our initial walk-through and budgeting, it was clearly stated that our intent was to have a generator interlock (which I was going to supply mind-you, hence the generation of this thread asking for the differences).
This morning I was copied on a snide reply saying something to the effect of "Whatever it is you are doing is illegal. The wires are run, have another electrician do it"
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
A single meter with no disconnect means the house and shop panels are MAIN service panels NOT sub-panels. If he didnt originally plan on installing a main breaker or disconnect at the meter, then he has no clue what he is doing since he ran a 4-wire feeder to the house panel.
Also, him saying whatever youre doing is illegal makes no sense at all. An interlock isnt illegal criminally and isnt against code. WTH is he talking about?
I’d fire his *** and get a more competent EC in there.
Dave Nelson
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- Sep 25, 2011
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- 181
Does the meter have a panel attached to it? If it does that is your main disconnect, the house panel would become the sub panel. I am trying to post pics of my install but not having any luck. I could send these pics to you if you like.
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Metallitubby
Well-known member
We had a heart-to-heart in person this morning. He mumbled some obscenities and said "I've been doing this for _____ years, and I've never... ".
My opinion is that he has never heard of these newfangled interlocks. Keep in mind that where my house/shop is being built is fairly rural, so who knows how this guy keeps up on his training (aside from NEC).
Thank you guys for helping me set this guy straight. Obviously I don't build houses for a living or else I would have known better.
Dave, I'll PM you. I'll host your pictures for you.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Interlocks have been around for years and years.
Hes either unobservant, ignorant or a fool.
Nothing illegal about them.
Can you fire him?
Hes either unobservant, ignorant or a fool.
Nothing illegal about them.
Can you fire him?
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
How can a factory part with Eaton tech support's blessing be illegal?
Is there anyway you can do this to him in person?>>
Is there anyway you can do this to him in person?>>
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
How can a factory part with Eaton tech support's blessing be illegal?
Is there anyway you can do this to him in person?>>
To be fair, the manufacturers don't make the rules and ultimately people do make mistakes.
The electrician also didn't talk to Eaton, he is getting this from someone that he doesn't know.
I would just try to move onto a different contractor
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Actually manufacturers do have reps on CMPs who write the codes so...
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