Code question on generator grounding

Posted by TWayne on September 8, 2008, 8:04 pm

> wrote Re Re: Code question on generator grounding:

>> Get the model and make of your panel and do a search on "
>> interlock" The results will give you an idea of how the
>> manufacturer of your panel wants the thing to work. You can then
>> either find the best price on the "approved" device or, as I did,
>> fashion your own.

> Thanks for the detailed description. I can easily visualize the
> "field" modification that you made. Very creative. Nice going.

But you had better check your local codes. It's likely they will not
allow that setup. NEC et al are only starting points; then the local
guys get into the act and add their own idiocy, I mean, opinions of how
things should be.
KNOW BEFORE DOING is the proper mantra. Otherwise you could be doing
it more than once.

Posted by Caesar Romano on September 9, 2008, 8:13 am

On Mon, 8 Sep 2008 20:04:46 -0400, "TWayne"
grounding:

>> Thanks for the detailed description. I can easily visualize the
>> "field" modification that you made. Very creative. Nice going.

>But you had better check your local codes. It's likely they will not
>allow that setup. NEC et al are only starting points; then the local
>guys get into the act and add their own idiocy, I mean, opinions of how
>things should be.
> KNOW BEFORE DOING is the proper mantra. Otherwise you could be doing
>it more than once.

Very true. However I am fortunate enough to live in a rural area not
subject to codes. Nevertheless I generally do my own projects to code
where the code make sense.

Posted by on September 8, 2008, 11:02 am

Some of the panel makers make them. Square D makes them for their Q0
panels and I think they now have them for their Homeline panels. Others
also have them.

Google "generator interlock kit" or see http://www.interlockkit.com/

>On Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:05:03 -0400, NoSpam@aol.com wrote Re Re: Code
>question on generator grounding:

>>That breaker
>>has a mechanical interlock which prevents both it and the main breaker
>>being on at the same time. (It is impossible to turn on the backfeed
>>breaker on unless the main is off, and impossible to turn the main breaker
>>on unless the backfeed breaker is off.)

>Where do you get such an interlock? Do you have a product name &
>manufacturer? Even better, do you have a link?
>Thanks

Posted by Caesar Romano on September 8, 2008, 11:38 am

On Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:02:09 -0400, NoSpam@aol.com wrote Re Re: Code
question on generator grounding:

>Some of the panel makers make them. Square D makes them for their Q0
>panels and I think they now have them for their Homeline panels. Others
>also have them.
>Google "generator interlock kit" or see http://www.interlockkit.com/

Thanks!

It looks like it can be an interesting "home-made" project:

1) Make a template out of cardboard

2) Use the cardboard template to fabricate a working interlock from
1/8" aluminum plate.

Posted by on September 8, 2008, 12:55 pm

I did this in my previous house before interlock kits were available. It
was not hard and worked very well. After checking the cost of the kits
(ridiculous!) I plan to do it again, esp. since I have two 200 Amp panels,
the kits would cost $300 to $400 depending on where you bought them.

In my situation, I do not want a gen large enough to power the whole house
so I won't use autostart anyway. I will manually turn off the HVAC brakers
before starting the gen. Then everything else in my house will have power
available, even if I cannot run it all at the same time.

I had a 6KW gen hooked up this way before. Had a 21 day power outage and
another 10+ day power outage and never a moment's trouble and no overloads
of tripped breakers occurred. Saved a lot of $$$ on fuel by not having a
huge generator.

>On Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:02:09 -0400, NoSpam@aol.com wrote Re Re: Code
>question on generator grounding:

>>Some of the panel makers make them. Square D makes them for their Q0
>>panels and I think they now have them for their Homeline panels. Others
>>also have them.
>>Google "generator interlock kit" or see http://www.interlockkit.com/

>Thanks!
>It looks like it can be an interesting "home-made" project:
>1) Make a template out of cardboard
>2) Use the cardboard template to fabricate a working interlock from
>1/8" aluminum plate.

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Code question on generator grounding - Page 5