Generator Panel Without Transfer Switch

[FMC1959]

I bought my home a little over 4 years ago and it was setup with a subpanel for a generator.

The way this was done was a 30 amp breaker from the main panel, feeding a 30 amp breaker in the Gen sub panel. In the Gen SP there is also a 30 amp breaker for the Gen. These two 30amp breakers have an interlock switch, so that both can not be on at the same time. Turning either breaker on automatically turns the other breaker off.

I had never seen such a system, which seems sort of like back feeding the Gen SP through either of the two 30 amp breakers, instead of going through the SP main and having a transfer switch.

My questions are, is this legal? if so, is it in any way less desirable, or less electrically sound system for a Gen SP?

If this method of feeding a Gen SP is OK, the if I wan to feed 100 amps to this Gen SP, getting a 100 amp breaker for the main panel, a 100 amp breaker for the Gen SP, changing the Gen SP to a 100 amp rated SP (the current on is rated for 30 amp), and appropriate sized wire for 100 amp breaker to breaker, would be all that I would need?

Thanks

 

[mike93lx]

Yes, it's fine. Interlocks are code acceptable and safe.

Wonder why they didn't just put one in your main panel, though

I find it hard to believe your subpanel is rated only for 30a...never seen that.

Pics of the setup would help

 

[sparky 1971]

Yes, it's fine. Interlocks are code acceptable and safe.

Wonder why they didn't just put one in your main panel, though

I find it hard to believe your subpanel is rated only for 30a...never seen that.

Pics of the setup would help

I can't speak about the reason for the 30 amp breaker but tomorrow I am putting in a 100 amp main breaker sub with an interlock to function as a generator panel right next to the main panel because, and this is a quote from the customer, "everyone in the house is stupid and I can't trust them to not turn every effing thing in it on". The fridge, freezer, furnace, microwave, master bedroom, and the circuit with the gas water heater power vent are moving to the gen panel.

 

[BrandonV]

Wonder why they didn't just put one in your main panel, though

I've seen this when the original panel didn't have an interlock kit available.

 

[FMC1959]

Yes, it's fine. Interlocks are code acceptable and safe.

Wonder why they didn't just put one in your main panel, though

I find it hard to believe your subpanel is rated only for 30a...never seen that.

Pics of the setup would help

Well I can't confirm it is only a 30 amp panel, the son of the people I bought the house from, I think he mentioned it was a 30 amp Square D panel. He is a retired electrician, so I kind of trust what he says, it is my memory I do not trust so much. BTW, this house is very old, built in the year 1900, and went through modifications, renovations and so forth. The panel could be 10 years old or 70 years old; maybe a panel that is no longer made.

I can take pics, but it will take me about a week to do so and post them, the next 5 -6 days I am very busy.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

i bet an interlock kit was not available for the main service panel

doubt the gen SP is rated for only 30a unless its really old

 

[yatg]

maybe this?

 

[fitter30]

Have a 7500 peak gen with a 500 gallon lp tank. Cook stove and decorative lp stove for emergency heat. Lp never goes bad. Subpanel just for when gen is running and has all the breakers that are necessary. Sub panel has well pump, water heater, fridge, tv, internet, some lights, ceiling fans, microwave, cook stove and 4k window ac for bedroom. Do run everything at the same time.Longest been without power was 6 days with lp for gen fuel never a thought of running out ran 24/7 weather proof gen reciprocal to plug gen in and quick connect lp hose.

 

[Innovate1]

What you have is fine. You can either upgrade that to 100A or, if available for your main panel, do an interlock on it. If you want more flexibility on what you power from the generator the main panel interlock is better. If you want to make it simpler and just put the essential loads on a sub panel that's good too.

 

[FMC1959]

I have been in bed with a fever for the past few days, but I finally got the photos of my panel.

The 2 pole breakers on the upper left side (1,3) & (5,7) are the power in from the power company and generator. There was an interlock switch, but it broke off. I bought what I believe is the correct replacement, but I have yet to install it.