Whole house generator inspection?

[manwithtools]

I'm going to install a 20kw generator and automatic transfer switch at my house. I already have the permit and homeowners are allowed to do this work in TN, where I live. I'm seeing that the permit requires a "rough-in" and a "final" inspection. I'm wondering what the difference in those two inspections could be,? Other than covers installed on the panels and operation verified? Anyone with experience in this? Almost seems like both inspections could occur in one visit by the inspector.

 

[Sumboodie]

How kind that they can "permit" you to do what you'd like on your house.

 

[mike93lx]

Rough in will typically mean conduit and wire is in place, final is everything is hooked up, where things will be covered.

Ask the inspector what they want at each stage

 

[LXCam]

Rough in is anything that would be hidden from view once complete. Wiring/pathways within a wall cavity and underground would seem the most likely for this.

 

[manwithtools]

I know what is typical, but in this instance there are only connections between the main panel, transfer switch and generator. It's all outside on an exposed wall. All conductors will be in conduit or flexible conduit, all above ground.

Our state website shows this:

"When the initial (“rough-in”) inspection is conducted:
(a) All applicable circuit conductors and outlet boxes must be installed;
(b) All joints shall be made; and
(c) All grounding connections must be in compliance with Section 300.10 of the 2008
National Electrical Code except as set forth in the exceptions enumerated in this
subparagraph."

If I call for an inspection when "a ,b, c" above are complete, the only thing left will be to put the cover on the main panel and close the door to the ATS. Does my initial question make more sense with this information?

 

[mike93lx]

I know what is typical, but in this instance there are only connections between the main panel, transfer switch and generator. It's all outside on an exposed wall. All conductors will be in conduit or flexible conduit, all above ground.

Our state website shows this:

"When the initial (“rough-in”) inspection is conducted:
(a) All applicable circuit conductors and outlet boxes must be installed;
(b) All joints shall be made; and
(c) All grounding connections must be in compliance with Section 300.10 of the 2008
National Electrical Code except as set forth in the exceptions enumerated in this
subparagraph."

If I call for an inspection when "a ,b, c" above are complete, the only thing left will be to put the cover on the main panel and close the door to the ATS. Does my initial question make more sense with this information?

Ask them

 

[mm08822]

My generator install inspections are all done at one time (final) for the electrical. Everything was visible. Rarely do I need trenches to reach the gen, but when I have, I left them open until the inspection. (Sometimes you don't want them left open for safety reasons.)

Make a call, but you are probably covered with the final. Maybe they accept pics of the conduit in trench.

Mechanical inspections want a pressure test inspection and then a final connection once all piping completed.

BTW - I have never had an inspector ask (or care) if it runs!!

 

[manwithtools]

Thanks all, guess I'll call the inspector and see what they say. Only way to know for sure.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

How kind that they can "permit" you to do what you'd like on your house.

most jurisdictions allow that

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I know what is typical, but in this instance there are only connections between the main panel, transfer switch and generator. It's all outside on an exposed wall. All conductors will be in conduit or flexible conduit, all above ground.

Our state website shows this:

"When the initial (“rough-in”) inspection is conducted:
(a) All applicable circuit conductors and outlet boxes must be installed;
(b) All joints shall be made; and
(c) All grounding connections must be in compliance with Section 300.10 of the 2008
National Electrical Code except as set forth in the exceptions enumerated in this
subparagraph."

If I call for an inspection when "a ,b, c" above are complete, the only thing left will be to put the cover on the main panel and close the door to the ATS. Does my initial question make more sense with this information?

i would call and ask. unless one of us is in the same jurisdiction as you, its gonna be a WAG

 

[larry4406]

How will you handle jerking the meter so you can safely install the transfer switch? Beyond that I think this is within the skill set of a competent person.

The generator inspections I have had, have been done at time of new house construction and the electrician provided the generator. The inspections I have had include:

• Plumbing gas test inspection (rough-in)
• Trench inspection of buried conduit (sounds like you have none). One county they had to inspect it, other counties the let the Master Electrician self certify. This is rough-in.
• Panel inspection - this was done as part of the house rough-in inspection prior to metering. In your case you are already hot, so a final inspection I think would suffice.
• We have to have copies of the electrician's generator load calc on site for the inspector at time of final inspection. Not sure if this is required in your area or how a DIYer gets this done. "Whole house" is a misnomer. Our homes have 400A service which splits into (2) 200A panels. One of these panels gets the critical loads and is a sub panel off the transfer switch. Other sacrificial loads go on the other panel which goes dark on loss of offsite power. Most of our homes use load shed modules to drop off large loads (ovens, outdoor units, car chargers, etc). We have to show the inspector the method of load shed (the Generac units we use have 4 low voltage dry contacts internal to the transfer switch to drop devices off line or you can use load side management devices).
• During the final inspection, we have to kill utility power so the inspector can watch the unit start, transfer, and pick up load. Some inspectors have requested we demonstrate the load shedding. On the Generac transfer switch, there are internal buttons you can push to drop off the load connected to the individual dry contacts to test them. I don't recall how the load side devices are tested.

This is a some-day project for me as well.

 

[reader2580]

My utility allows homeowners to pull meters so long as you call it in first.

I recall my installation of my generator only had a final inspection.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Inspection on gas line (air test) and properly sized.
Trench if conduit is in trench.
Final inspection once job is 100% done.

TIP! Call the inspector.

 

[reader2580]

I should clarify I didn’t trench my electric which is why I only needed a final inspection. My conduit runs on top of a piece of 80/20 extrusion supported by those deck post blocks on either end. It was stuff laying around my garage. The conduit is maybe 4” off the ground.

The gas was done by an HVAC company. I don’t know if they got a permit.

 

[driftpin]

Reading your post reminds me of a commercial installation for a Publix supermarket I inspected years ago, for a huge generator which looked like a boxcar. The unit sat on a huge tank for fuel.

After Hurricane Andrew, the State of FL made many changes to the state codes. One of the changes was requiring places vending gasoline to have generators to power the pumps in the event of an outage. Grocery stores got installations to keep their refrigerated storage functioning. Publix had a system where the store's refrigerated units, the lighting, but not the AC for customer areas or the back rooms, was part of the emergency electrical system. In the event of a power interruption, after a brief period, the genset would power-up, and the store could continue to operate, The lighting and the cash registers would all be powered.

The interesting part was the genset was controlled by a satellite link to No. Carolina, where the signal was sent-back to power-up. As one of the inspectors on the job, I watched as the power was shut down and then the satellite signal was sent and received. It worked flawlessly.