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Subject - Generator/Subpanel Question
emba129 I have a new house that has only one spare breaker blank. I want to put a subpanel in and at the same time hook up a generator feed I had installed when the house was built. My plan is to put a sub panel in, move critical circuits over to it that I would want to feed with a generator when I lose power. I would like to run the subpanel feed and the generator feed through a DPDT 30A or 40A switch, either knife or rotary and switch manually in the event of a power failure. I would install a neon indicator assembly to monitor line power when it comes back on to switch back from generator to main. Line backfeed and generator backfeed would be prevented with this arrangement
I do not want to get involved with a Gentran transfer switch. I think what I outlined above is easier and cheaper.

Can anyone recommend who makes switches like what I outlined above?
Also, any comments about my plan.

Thanks
Chris
Electricman We install the Siemans brand products for our services, and they manufacture just the type of standby panel you describe.These panels come equipted with a DPDT main . I have installed quite a few of them in new homes. Make sure you fully understand the proper procedures when installing sub panels and standby systems,if you are not sure on anything I suggest consulting a qualified electrician. These systems are very popular in my neck of the woods(PA.) and with the aging power grid throughout this great nation of ours it is a good idea to have one properly installed.
Ryan_J I wasn't sure, so I checked the NEC to see if transfer equipment for an optional standby system is required to be listed, and it doesn't appear that it does. It seems to me that the requirement is performance based, meaning that if it does the inteded job and does it safely, it should be fine.

quote:
702.6 Transfer Equipment.
Transfer equipment shall be suitable for the intended use and designed and installed so as to prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and alternate sources of supply in any operation of the transfer equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power production systems installed to permit operation in parallel with the normal source shall meet the requirements of Article 705.
Transfer equipment, located on the load side of branch circuit protection, shall be permitted to contain supplementary overcurrent protection having an interrupting rating sufficient for the available fault current that the generator can deliver. The supplementary overcurrent protection devices shall be part of a listed transfer equipment.
Transfer equipment shall be required for all standby systems subject to the provisions of this article and for which an electric-utility supply is either the normal or standby source.
Energreen
Why not install a GenTran Powerstay Transfer Switch Panel? They are built like a sub panel, but have the added feature of providing listed transfer switch functionality. There's a 60 Amp utlity breaker which must be switched off, before the mechanical interlock allows you to switch on the 20 Amp, 30 Amp, or 50 Amp generator breaker. They use standard Siemens circuit breakers. They accept Murray, Square D, etc. standard breakers as well. Unlike transfer switches, the transfer switch panels don't remove GFCI or AFCI protection because you always run through the same breakers. The "six circuit" panel expands to up to 16 circuits with the use of tandem breakers. The inlet plug is installed in the panel but they provide a cover for the hole in case you use a remote power inlet plug.


See: www.gen-tran.com
www.gen-tran.com/analysis
Hint: Good price on amazon.com or ebay.

I like these panels.