Generator Transfer Switch

[GMCGarage]

Couple questions, anyone ever do their own generator transfer switch? I have a 7500W Gen and wanted to wire it for a few circuits. I understand I need a transfer switch.

Additionally, can you take your 240V down to two 110? Is that just a adapter, or special wiring?

EDIT: I have contacted an electrician, I am not doing this myself. I want to be educated, not to question his intelligence, but to make sure he doesn't take advantage of me and try and up sell me on something.

 

[ronr80]

Not sure this is any help But I used a switch called GENERLINK , it installs real easy on your electrical meter , and you just plug in your Gen. and it disconnects the pole automatically . Ron

 

[mike93lx]

Additionally, can you take your 240V down to two 110? Is that just a adapter, or special wiring?

A question like this makes it sound like you should hire an electrician and learn by watching a pro instead of asking online.

 

[GMCGarage]

Not sure this is any help But I used a switch called GENERLINK , it installs real easy on your electrical meter , and you just plug in your Gen. and it disconnects the pole automatically . Ron

Thanks, looks like an option. I have requested a quote from my electrician, might be something I can ask about.

 

[Mooky]

Do a search for "transfer" on this forum. Hundreds of threads here.

My 7,500 watt generator is hooked up via this transfer switch. Gives you a good price point to check your electrician's estimate. DIY instructions on the site if you're so inclined.

http://www.reliancecontrols.com/ProductDetail.aspx?31410CDK

Both 240 & 120 volt circuits are transferred, assuming your generator has 240 v circuits (most likely).

 

[theoldwizard1]

If your goal is to connect a 240V generator to your house, look into something called a "generator interlock". It is kind of like a transfer switch in that it preforms the same functionality but at less cost. Yes, it is just as safe and give you more "flexibility" than most transfer switches.

Your 240/120V question can not be explained quickly/easily to a novice. If you want to know there a several books available at your home center that would explain it.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Couple questions, anyone ever do their own generator transfer switch? I have a 7500W Gen and wanted to wire it for a few circuits. I understand I need a transfer switch.

Additionally, can you take your 240V down to two 110? Is that just a adapter, or special wiring?

EDIT: I have contacted an electrician, I am not doing this myself. I want to be educated, not to question his intelligence, but to make sure he doesn't take advantage of me and try and up sell me on something.

U can either do an interlock or a transfer switch.

Interlock is cheaper.

As to the voltage question, nominal voltage is 120/240 not 110/240 or 110/220 or whatever anyone else calls it.... if all u have is 240v(2 hots) then u would need a transformer. 120v requires one hot leg and 1 neutral.

 

[Alchymist]

Do a search for "transfer" on this forum. Hundreds of threads here.

My 7,500 watt generator is hooked up via this transfer switch. Gives you a good price point to check your electrician's estimate. DIY instructions on the site if you're so inclined.

http://www.reliancecontrols.com/ProductDetail.aspx?31410CDK

Both 240 & 120 volt circuits are transferred, assuming your generator has 240 v circuits (most likely).

Reliance makes some good stuff. I used this one:
http://www.reliancecontrols.com/ProductDetail.aspx?TRC1006D

Good part of that is that it uses the same Square D QO breakers as the main panel.

 

[GMCGarage]

Thanks, the electrician is pricing it up for me.

With the 240 to 120, Cant you use a hot to each 120 circuit and the common neutral to each 120?
I guess I am thinking like a panel, 240 comes in, 120 each side. But this would just be direct from a 240 plug in down to two 120 circuits.

This is what I am looking to do....just have it hard wired so I can plug my generator into it, and then have 120 plugs.

https://conntek.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/split-generator-240v-outlet/

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Thanks, the electrician is pricing it up for me.

With the 240 to 120, Cant you use a hot to each 120 circuit and the common neutral to each 120?
I guess I am thinking like a panel, 240 comes in, 120 each side. But this would just be direct from a 240 plug in down to two 120 circuits.

This is what I am looking to do....just have it hard wired so I can plug my generator into it, and then have 120 plugs.

https://conntek.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/split-generator-240v-outlet/

Yes that is how u do it but u said 240v which means theres no neutral only 2 hots and ground. If theres a neutral then it would be 120v/240v 4-wire- 2 hots neutral and ground. With these types of things u have to be detailed to get the answer youre looking for.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Thanks, the electrician is pricing it up for me.

Like many things in life, there is more ways than one to solve a problem !

Don't worry about details like getting 120V out of a 240V generator. That is a minor detail.

The big question is what KIND of a transfer switch do you want ? They have similar, yet different functionality and costs.

• What I would call a "true" transfer switch like Alchymist referenced. Limited to 125A on both the main feed from the POCO and the generator.
• A "compromise" transfer switch (only switches some circuits) like Mooky referenced. Likely the most expensive to install.
• A generator interlock. Similar in functionality to a "true" transfer switch. Does not limit the power feed from the POCO.

 

[Dr Stan]

I have a Reliance 30216 A transfer switch still waiting to be installed due to my 6 months of inactivity and so far one month of limited activity. I really need to get off my **** and install it before the spring storms. The box is on the back wall making it very accessible.

I know this is a NO NO, but I've made some double male adapters to back feed 3 circuits in the house. I make absolutely sure I trip the main breaker so linemen will not get shocked, at least not by me.

I'm not an electrician, but have plenty of practice, OJT from an electrician and 6 credit hours of electricity from the community college (wired my shop and garage addition passing inspection, also built a phase converter). The instructions are very good so I do not foresee any problems. However if I get stuck I'll call an electrician to complete the install.

If you are knowledgeable of hydraulic or pneumatic circuitry that knowledge easily transfers to electrical circuits. In all 3 cases it will flow through the path of least resistance. Ground in electrical circuits is the same as the air tank or the hydraulic fluid sump. On-off switches are the same as valves in fluid power circuits. If you have two charts one with electrical symbols & the other with fluid power symbols you'll be surprised at the similarity.

 

[Dr Stan]

Couple questions, anyone ever do their own generator transfer switch? I have a 7500W Gen and wanted to wire it for a few circuits.

A 7.5K generator should have 3 or 4 120V circuits and one 240V. My 5K has 2 120V and one 240V circuits.

 

[GMCGarage]

Yes that is how u do it but u said 240v which means theres no neutral only 2 hots and ground. If theres a neutral then it would be 120v/240v 4-wire- 2 hots neutral and ground. With these types of things u have to be detailed to get the answer youre looking for.

Thanks, yes there are 2 hots, neutral and a ground. I assumed with 240 it was always that way. Great that I asked, and got a good answer. Thanks

 

[GMCGarage]

Like many things in life, there is more ways than one to solve a problem !

Don't worry about details like getting 120V out of a 240V generator. That is a minor detail.

The big question is what KIND of a transfer switch do you want ? They have similar, yet different functionality and costs.

• What I would call a "true" transfer switch like Alchymist referenced. Limited to 125A on both the main feed from the POCO and the generator.
• A "compromise" transfer switch (only switches some circuits) like Mooky referenced. Likely the most expensive to install.
• A generator interlock. Similar in functionality to a "true" transfer switch. Does not limit the power feed from the POCO.

I think I am going the way of the interlock.

I was asking about splitting the 240 to 120's because I was going to put an inlet plug outside and a couple of duplexes inside, and I could hook up the generator outside, and utilize the max wattage out of the 240 plug on teh generator, but have 120 inside to run extension cords to what ever. This was going to be my stop gap fix until I could get electrician out do do the interlock.