Generator interlock kit

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Hey guys. I decided that instead of a generator transfer switch box, I'd like to go with an interlock kit. My breaker panel is a Crouse hinds. I have nine 15 amp breakers in use, two 40/40 beakers, three 30, and four 20,one of which isn't being used. The interlock kit needs 4 breaker spaces.my box has only one possible one open. Would it be OK to switch to double breakers for the 15 amp circuits? I mays well do 5 of them to swap the 9 15 amp breakers onto, or is that not kosher? Open to suggestions.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

An interlock only needs 2 breaker spaces but MUST be at the top 2 spaces so the main can be locked out.

Before u do an interlock u need to clean up that panel.

Many of the breakers are the wrong brand.

And the panel is discontinued.

U could do a few quads but i doubt u will find compatable ones for that panel.

I would put in a new panel.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

An interlock only needs 2 breaker spaces but MUST be at the top 2 spaces so the main can be locked out.

Before u do an interlock u need to clean up that panel.

Many of the breakers are the wrong brand.

And the panel is discontinued.

U could do a few quads but i doubt u will find compatable ones for that panel.

I would put in a new panel.

i was going to end up switching out those incorrect breakers. I have no clue why they're in there. If i can find the correct breakers i plan on removing the bad breakers and replacing them, then neatening up ALL of the wires in there. I'm a very detail oriented person (the type who won't let work out unless i'd be proud for someone to say i did it) so to look at that breaker panel is just killing me. I figured that panel was discontinued, i'd guess it was from the 70's or 80's. I would love to put in a new panel but not being a licensed electrician i can't just have the company kill power to the house without feeling like i'd trigger the electrical police to come to my house and be nosey. The wiring needs to not only be neatened up, but physically cleaned as well. I'd love to take some time out of my day and make it proper.

This is the kit i thought i would need. Am i wrong?

https://www.interlockkit.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=K-7210

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Looks like that one does need 4 spaces. My bad.

And does your panel have a dead front cover?

If not u eont be able to do an interlock.

BTW many towns allow home owners to get permits and do the work.

Have u thought of asking your building department if they allow that?

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Yes, it does have a dead front. It's on the ground currently. I will get in contact with the town and see if i'm allowed to do the work. But for the time being, do you think swapping in 5 double breakers would be fine to get me going?

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

So the box is a Crouse hinds E26095. The correct breakers are murray mp E13207. Are there tandem 15 amp breakers I can install in this box that will fit if I can't find that exact model?

 

[brewchief]

Tandem breakers may not physically fit the panel or might only fit in certain spaces. Does the label on the dead front say something like 20 space 20 circuit or is it 20 space 30 circuit? The latter would indicate that it was designed for use with tandem breakers.

For the price of the interlock you linked you could buy a new 100 amp square D homeline 30 space 60 circuit panel and the interlock kit from square D.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I will get a picture of the panel for you. I do see a 30 circuit 30 space 100 amp siemens box is 87$. That's super cheap. Now if i could only install it myself without getting in trouble with anybody...

 

[gnxtc2]

I would replace the panel with bigger one that has more room and that has parts readily available for it. Also, you might not find an approved interlock kit for that panel.

What's the deal with the yellow rubber cord?

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[Junkman]

I'm either hallucinating, or dreaming, but I remember a similar question about a panel, with a similar yellow cord partially pictured, in another thread. Possibly this is the same box, and the poster didn't like the answers in the first post, or it is another post, with a very similar picture.

Yep... Here it is, in all its glory... Different title, same picture, and the same advise about replacing the box...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338011

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

That orange extension cord is the cord that goes from my basement to the porch which hooks up to our generator. The red and black wires get hooked to the mains currently when power goes out, hence me wanting to figure out this whole breaker panel/generator switch issue.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I'm either hallucinating, or dreaming, but I remember a similar question about a panel, with a similar yellow cord partially pictured, in another thread. Possibly this is the same box, and the poster didn't like the answers in the first post, or it is another post, with a very similar picture.

Yep... Here it is, in all its glory... Different title, same picture, and the same advise about replacing the box...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338011

Didn't have an issue with the answers, decided to go with the interlock kit and now asking about tandem breakers and such. Good try though.

 

[mobiledynamics]

My eyes may be playing tricks to me, but how many neutrals are tied into the wiren on the left..

 

[Junkman]

Didn't have an issue with the answers, decided to go with the interlock kit and now asking about tandem breakers and such. Good try though.

Best to keep one thread going for the continuity of answers and dialogue.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Best to keep one thread going for the continuity of answers and dialogue.

I just figured easier to keep things separated as i was looking for a transfer switch last time. I shall keep this thread open. I still would like to replace the breaker panel myself, but dont want to/can't afford an electrician and inspection. Would love if the power company would just kill the power and let me do it myself. It needs an update and the wires in there have always bothered me. it's not my house but my grandparents so i'm trying to do what i can with what i have.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

My eyes may be playing tricks to me, but how many neutrals are tied into the wiren on the left..

They aren't playing tricks on you. I found out today my grandfather installed the breakers which are wrong in the box, but other than that all that wiring in there has been done by hired electricians.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

And there's 3 neutral in one wire nut,3 in another, and 6 ground in another nut.

 

[gnxtc2]

I would replace that panel.

The red (bottom) wire on the 100A breaker is burnt, probably from the lug not retaining the proper torque due to the aluminum wire. Also, why was SER used instead of SEU wire if this panel is your main panel.

You need to find the cause of why water is entering that panel. Probably coming in through the SER wire. Guaranteed that bus is probably corroded from looking at that rust lying at the bottom of the panel.

By reading that label, your panel is only good for 20 circuits....no tandem breakers are supposed to be installed.

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I would replace that panel.

The red (bottom) wire on the 100A breaker is burnt, probably from the lug not retaining the proper torque due to the aluminum wire. Also, why was SER used instead of SEU wire if this panel is your main panel.

You need to find the cause of why water is entering that panel. Probably coming in through the SER wire. Guaranteed that bus is probably corroded from looking at that rust lying at the bottom of the panel.

By reading that label, your panel is only good for 20 circuits....no tandem breakers are supposed to be installed.

Billy T.
[email protected]

This is ultimately what i've been thinking. I'll throw all this information at my grandfather tomorrow and see where it goes.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Oh Mai. I'm all for DIY, if you can DIY. Maybe 1st steps would be 101 changing a outlet or switch. Clearly, the level of expertise and advice is not going to be what you need for the level of work involved IMO.

Personally, I think you're better off with a spark of some sorts....

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Oh Mai. I'm all for DIY, if you can DIY. Maybe 1st steps would be 101 changing a outlet or switch. Clearly, the level of expertise and advice is not going to be what you need for the level of work involved IMO.

Personally, I think you're better off with a spark of some sorts....

I can handle it. Switching out the panel isn't the part im concerned with, it was moreso saving my grandparents money by hoping to switch in tandem breakers so my grandfather will stop replacing the mains with the generator extension cord during power outtages. There's not much more i can do for this box except kill the power, replace the wrong breakers and neaten up that huge mess of wires. The water isn't an issue anymore, it had to do with our basement windows leaking, which have been sealed up. My grandparents had that breaker panel replaced (he says) 20 years ago. Like i said, all my grandfather has done is replace (with the wrong) breakers in that box. Otherwise, it's been "professional" electricians. I am not uncomfortable with replacing that breaker box nor rewiring it. It's just got to go through the owners of the house (grandparents). I'm basically at their mercy, whether it's safety or not. My grandfather seems to shrug it off and i've tried telling him in the past long before these threads came about that it wasn't proper but besides for talking to him about it, i've got no pull when it comes to actually putting action and money towards it.

 

[Junkman]

Remind your grandfather, that if the home burns to the ground, and he knows that there are wiring problems in the electrical system that he chooses not to remedy, that the insurance might not pay the claim. If he were not aware of it, then it would be ignorance, but once aware of the problems, it is called negligence. I owned a home build in the 1960's, and even though the box was obsolete, along with the breakers, the insurance company told me that it had to be replaced with a modern box, or they would cancel the insurance. That box looks like a fire waiting to happen!

 

[mobiledynamics]

If I saw it, 1st thing I would have done was to put the cover back on, and figure out a better mousetrap to backfeed it (assuming the frequency of it being needed was enough to warrant it). I'm not looking a your panel pic or capacity, but wire to a breaker, wired to a inlet, then some SO cords and connectors. That would have been my immediate, regardless of grandpa's decision or not. I'd rather have him do that that .......messing with hot wires. And then from there, move forward with some sort of corrective action plan or not on everything else wrong that should be dealt with..

The time spent on just replying on these threads - no offense, but you could probably be halfway there wiring up a safer way for grandpa already.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

And there's 3 neutral in one wire nut,3 in another, and 6 ground in another nut.

The grounds are fine as long as the ground wire going to the bus bar is sized the same as the largest wire spliced to it.

Multiple neutrals in a nut can overload the feeding neutral and multiple neutrals and or neutrals and grounds under same bus bar screw is a big no-no.

But looks like there is no more empty lugs.

And yeah u cant do tandems or quads.

U really need to replace that crappy tin can.

As i said in your other thread, call your building department(anonymously) and find out if an owner can get a permit.

What grandpa is doing with the service wire is very dangerous and one wrong move can severaly injure or kill him.

And since youre maxed, an interlock aint gonna work unless u get rid of some circuits.

Did i mention u should replace that panel?

Save the money u would spend on replacement breakers and buy a new panel and breakers.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Ok, so moral of the story is.... new breaker box. Thanks guys, i guess i'll get an interlock kit of whichever breaker panel i (hope) to get soon.

 

[simpler=better]

Ok, so moral of the story is.... new breaker box. Thanks guys, i guess i'll get an interlock kit of whichever breaker panel i (hope) to get soon.

Hey I don't know if anyone mentioned it yet-but oyu should think about getting a new panel

On a serious note, you can get interlocks for modern panels for like $50 from the manufacturer. interlockkit.com is preetty pricey.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Need to hire an electrician. Eversource bought out Connecticut light and power and won't let the home owner upgrade. If they weren't the provider, we could.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Need to hire an electrician. Eversource bought out Connecticut light and power and won't let the home owner upgrade. If they weren't the provider, we could.

Are they the AHJ(authority having jurisdiction) aka building department?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

From the list of acceptable breakers for that panel, Siemens (formerly ITE if I recall correctly) would also be acceptable (Murray is a subsidiary of Siemens now and the breakers are identical and legally interchangable).

if you don't want to, or cannot use tandems, are there a couple of circuits that can be combined? Possibly two low use circuits (lighting circuits are frequently a good candiate) on separate breakers that you can wirenut together with a pigtail to one breaker, thus eliminating a breaker.

I used a back and forth Siemens interlock with Siemens breakers on a mid '90's General Switch brand panel (I don't think General Switch ever made breakers) and did a nice setup for one of our community wells.

This thread shows what I did on my house panel and two different well panels.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4051501

Charles

 

[Mr_fixit]

You can also buy new panels with interlock kits preinstalled, but it's cheaper the other way.