spitfirepete
Member
Bought a house that is fully prewired for a whole house generator, but it has manual transfer switch. What is involved to convert to an automatic transfer switch?
Transfer switch
- Thread starter spitfirepete
- Start date
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spitfirepete
Member
OP
spitfirepete
Member
Will probably with go Generac
rlitman
Well-known member
I see an interlock, not a transfer switch. I think the easiest would be to change your main panel with one that has automatic transfer built in.
slow
Well-known member
That's a 20 amp generator interlock breaker, if you want a whole home generator, most come with an automatic transfer switch that mounts before the main panel. I would just have that installed with the whole home generator and ignore using the manual generator interlock.
Yes its an interlock only. You could add a xfer sw between main panel and meter. The xfer sw then becomes the main panel. Your existing main panel becomes a sub panel.
I would leave the main panel as a simple conventional panel. The interlock hardware between current main and gen cb's could be removed.
Pics of the outside meter area would be helpful.
I would leave the main panel as a simple conventional panel. The interlock hardware between current main and gen cb's could be removed.
Pics of the outside meter area would be helpful.
OP
spitfirepete
Member
SQ D has hyped-up their version of a pre-installed interlock kit and created a label and part number for it. You can ignore it and remove the interlock hardware to gain back the 2 spaces used for the 2p 20A cb.
Is there any wiring attached to the 2p 20A cb?
Step back 10' from the meter and snap a pic, same for the inside panel. (All in focus.)
What room is the panel in?
Is there space around it usable to mount an automatic xfer sw?
Do you have ng or propane?
Load calcs will be needed to determine generator size and/or specify amount of load shedding required.
What space is available near the gas supply or out by the electric meter to locate a generator?
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
thats definitely NOT a manual transfer switch
Installing an ATS or MTS requires feeding the current main service panel with a new 4-wire feeder and converting it to a subpanel which means isolating the neutral bus bar and installing a ground bar. Also, the GEC from the electrodes as well as an metallic pipe(water and gas) bonds need to be moved over to the new ATS/MTS
As said by Norcal above, the gen will need to be sized to handle the entire load or load shedding modules would be needed IF using an ATS. An MTS does not require this.
That's a pic of a sub-panel??
So there is a second panel - a main panel connected to the meter?
If so, are you looking for whole house transfer or just the loads on the sub-panel?
OP
spitfirepete
Member
Yes that's a pic of the sub panel.....much larger main panel is next to it and connected to the meter....they are inside the garage on an outside wall with adequate space outside for the propane gen.....dont need to power all the circuits in the house, just 2 of us
OP
spitfirepete
Member
mm08822. ...That's what I wanted to hear. Thanks ....We are away for weeks at times....want auto for that.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Weeks at a time?
What do you need to run while away?
How would you make sure you have enough fuel?
What do you need to run while away?
How would you make sure you have enough fuel?
rlitman
Well-known member
I'm assuming that he wants to keep his DVR running so he doesn't miss his favorite show.
For me, it would be the fridge/freezer and the fish tank equipment.
OP
spitfirepete
Member
When gone in winter....heat..internet security, frig....
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
NG, if that runs out it's a mute point. LPG if it's a huge tank. Diesel if he has a decent size tank.
If his present wiring is only 20A, that's a small generator. Whatever wyliesdiesels suggest, I'd go that route, if not, live with what you have, it looks like an interlocked panel, either/or but not both for power.
If it's a freezer and that's about it, a small ATS between your present panel and install a sub with just that in it or whatever critical loads you want run IMO as long as your generator can handle the starting and running loads.
Bretny
Well-known member
Your located in FL and worried about heat? An ATS is usualy not a diy project. Expect to get quotes of $10k plus.
rjacobs
Well-known member
Really... $10k+ to install a $700 Generac ATS panel...
LOL...
How do you figure $9300 bucks in labor... LOL...
Oh sorry, $9200 in labor after he spends about $100 in additional wire...
Bretny
Well-known member
What good would a $700 pannel be with out a generator?
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
I dont know about 10K, but there would be permit fees, PoCo fees, cost to convert current main service panel to a subpanel, etc.
Id say couple grand
rjacobs
Well-known member
A 20kw Generac is ~$5000 with the ATS...installed... as long as the gas stub is located properly.
I know, ive been researching them lately.
rjacobs
Well-known member
As far as I understand, the Generac ATS has the service moved from the current panel into the ATS, then over to the main panel...with a separate set of wires run out to the generator. The main panel stays the same... At least on the model I have been looking at. I dont even think the Generac ATS has a circuit breaker in it per say...
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
The main service panel CANNOT stay the same.
The ATS becomes the main service panel and thus the current main service panel needs to be converted to a subpanel. This is because there can only be one neutral to ground bond.
So the main service panel needs to have an isolated neutral.
I have a General 38kw Generator with a 400 a tx switch.
The tx switch is between the meter and the 2 ckt panels.
I bought the tx switch for $2500 when I was having the house built & the electrician charged little to nothing for installation.
Three years later, I paid $18k for the generator and installation. This included the gas regulators and permits, etc. If someone is charging $10k to install a tx switch, there is something wrong....
The tx switch is between the meter and the 2 ckt panels.
I bought the tx switch for $2500 when I was having the house built & the electrician charged little to nothing for installation.
Three years later, I paid $18k for the generator and installation. This included the gas regulators and permits, etc. If someone is charging $10k to install a tx switch, there is something wrong....