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Transfer switch or cutoff switch?

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Transfer switch or cutoff switch? rh455 07-25-2005
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Posted by rh455 on July 25, 2005, 11:34 pm




I recently bought a Coleman Powermate Genny. It's 7000 watts, 8750

surge. While I'd love to backfeed my main panel for convience reasons,

I do realize it's illegal and unsafe. I'm considering a double pole 200

amp cutoff switch before the meter. (The main line is buried, comes up

to the meter and exits behind the meter to the main panel inside the

house). The main panel is a Cutler-Hammer 200 amp box. I don't see

where an interlock switch(at the main breaker) is available for my box.

Would a double pole cutoff switch make it safe to backfeed? I have a

120/240 30amp plug on the genny and already have an existing 50amp

socket on the wall for my compressor. Can I backfeed the 30amp line

thru the 50amp socket?
If backfeeding can't be accomplished, I'd consider a manual transfer

switch if I could find the right switch for my application. Most are up

to 7500 watts but I don't know if that will be enough with the surge

capability of my genny.





--

rh455

------------------------------------------------------------------------

rh455's Profile: http://www.homeplot.com/member.php?userid=29

View this thread: http://www.homeplot.com/showthread.php?t=56393




Posted by SQLit on July 25, 2005, 9:25 pm



>
> I recently bought a Coleman Powermate Genny. It's 7000 watts, 8750
> surge. While I'd love to backfeed my main panel for convience reasons,
> I do realize it's illegal and unsafe. I'm considering a double pole 200
> amp cutoff switch before the meter. (The main line is buried, comes up
> to the meter and exits behind the meter to the main panel inside the
> house). The main panel is a Cutler-Hammer 200 amp box. I don't see
> where an interlock switch(at the main breaker) is available for my box.
> Would a double pole cutoff switch make it safe to backfeed? I have a
> 120/240 30amp plug on the genny and already have an existing 50amp
> socket on the wall for my compressor. Can I backfeed the 30amp line
> thru the 50amp socket?
> If backfeeding can't be accomplished, I'd consider a manual transfer
> switch if I could find the right switch for my application. Most are up
> to 7500 watts but I don't know if that will be enough with the surge
> capability of my genny.
>

CH and others offer panels that will do the job for you. Home Depot used to
sell them.
I am unaware of a CH made switch to tie the main and your genny feed
breaker together. Not that they do not make one now I just have never seen
one.

I know what double pole switch is, and that will not solve the problem for
you.
A double pole double throw switch MIGHT. Depending on the installation. I
suggest you consider a 3 pole and not tie the neutrals from the utility and
the genny together.

Back feeding in any form is not a good idea. I doubt strongly that your 50
amp outlet is set up for 4 wires. IF it is 4 wire then...................

All you need is a 60 amp switch. 8750 divided by 240 is 36+ amps.

Best bet is call a pro in your area and have them inspect the situation and
give you pointers on what exactly needs to be done per your local codes and
authorities.





Posted by Around on July 26, 2005, 9:59 am


Check this link out
http://www.generlink.com/about_generlink.cfm

>
> I recently bought a Coleman Powermate Genny. It's 7000 watts, 8750
> surge. While I'd love to backfeed my main panel for convience reasons,
> I do realize it's illegal and unsafe. I'm considering a double pole 200
> amp cutoff switch before the meter. (The main line is buried, comes up
> to the meter and exits behind the meter to the main panel inside the
> house). The main panel is a Cutler-Hammer 200 amp box. I don't see
> where an interlock switch(at the main breaker) is available for my box.
> Would a double pole cutoff switch make it safe to backfeed? I have a
> 120/240 30amp plug on the genny and already have an existing 50amp
> socket on the wall for my compressor. Can I backfeed the 30amp line
> thru the 50amp socket?
> If backfeeding can't be accomplished, I'd consider a manual transfer
> switch if I could find the right switch for my application. Most are up
> to 7500 watts but I don't know if that will be enough with the surge
> capability of my genny.
>
>
> --
> rh455
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> rh455's Profile: http://www.homeplot.com/member.php?userid=29
> View this thread: http://www.homeplot.com/showthread.php?t=56393
>




Posted by rh455 on July 26, 2005, 9:47 am




That's cool. I never knew anything like that existed. I'll call my power

co. to see if it's available here. I'll probably call Generlink to get

more info about the unit. Seems almost too simple. I'm wondering what

the inside of the unit looks like and how it assures not backfeeding

the utility pole.





--

rh455

------------------------------------------------------------------------

rh455's Profile: http://www.homeplot.com/member.php?userid=29

View this thread: http://www.homeplot.com/showthread.php?t=56393




Posted by Duane Bozarth on July 26, 2005, 9:46 am


rh455 wrote:
>
> That's cool. I never knew anything like that existed. I'll call my power
> co. to see if it's available here. I'll probably call Generlink to get
> more info about the unit. Seems almost too simple. I'm wondering what
> the inside of the unit looks like and how it assures not backfeeding
> the utility pole.
>

Just sounds like a small semi-auto transfer switch w/ a relay sensing
the generator output to open the line-feed breaker. The site is almost
useless for any <real> content, but it does say it it is a disconnect
when you close your internal breaker to supply the feed from the genset.


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