help selecting a manual transfer switch

Im not sure on the wiring but Generac has pre wired 6 circut kits with exterior box , socket, interior panel ,amp meters, and exterior cable and plugs for 2-300 a good deal and less headache. At lowes

Take a look at the Line Transfer Switches that Lowes sells.. I'd be willing to bet that they meet your local codes, in addition to the NEC requirements.

I'm not sure that it is necessary to swith the nuetral but it may be a safety requirement.. When I lived overseas I had a generator and line transfer switch to handle the whole 200 amp load.. I didn't have to switch nuetral..

requirements.

It is necessary to switch the neutral if you have a bonded neutral/ground in your generator. If non-bonded, you must not switch the neutral. All the generators I have seen have been non-bonded, and all the transfer switches have not switched the neutral; which fortunately go together. An excellent article on it is at:

The first question to ask is what loads do you want to run off the generator -- anything in the panel, a handful of circuits, or somewhere in between? I don't like those Gentran transfer switches, and you can get them for up to 12 circuits, but usually only 1 can be a double pole (240V) circuit. These are the most common and probably least expensive solution. They are also typically limited to

Transfer switches for option 1 are about $150 to $300. A transfer switch for option 2 is $200, but you also need the subpanel, the feeder cable, and a large breaker to protect the feeder. Option 3 costs $300 plus service conductor rework.

As far as the switch itself, it doesn't need any fuses. But you have to have a circuit breaker somewhere near the generator to protect what is going to the transfer switch, and each branch circuit must have a circuit breaker. A 2-pole switch is the minimum required, and will require you to separate the neutral/chassis bond in the generator if using option 2. A

They're all legal so you won't find it. The problem is breaking all the other little rules scattered throughout the book depending on what approach you take.

Yes, but the neutral/ground bonding issue needs to be addressed and depends on how you do things whether they should be bonded or not.

You can get a 200A Cutler-Hammer unfused 2-pole manual transfer switch from Harbor Freight Tools for $299. I believe this is your best option if no provisions have been made for a transfer switch. But there may be issues with mounting this beast next to your main disconnect and rerouting the service conductors. They have a smaller 100A unit for $199 that you could put in front of a 100A subpanel, but you'll need to relocate everything you want to power to this subpanel.

-- Mark Kent, WA

Some panel brands (SquareD) sell interlock kits. Essentially they let you backfeed using a breaker in the 2/4 position. The kit contains a metal lever or plate that doesn't allow the main breaker and the 'generator' breaker to be on at the same time. For this kit to work, you need a panel mounted main breaker. Essentially it creates a two-pole switch.

-- Steve

-- anything in the

Gentran transfer switches,

pole (240V) circuit.

typically limited to

your main panel and a

subpanel. Finally, you

load in your house that

overloading the generator.

least pull the power

Sorry, didn't mention this was all new construction. But I did say I wanted to run my whole house. I share your dislike of the GenTrans type switches.

option 2 is $200, but

the feeder. Option 3

That's great because I priced a Cutler-Hammer model (DT324FGK) for $3420! What brands are you referring to? The Harbor Freight model you mention for $300 lists for $1695 so that's quite a buy, maybe too good. (?)

circuit breaker

A fuse between generator and transfer switch? Could you explain it's function?It's only a 6000-watt generator, if I ask too much of it, what's the harm?

and each branch

and will require you

neutral too, thus

this creates a

...

Thanks for that detailed reply!

However you decide to go be sure your transfer panel has watt meters, or else you run a high risk of overloading a generator leg. I have to rebalance my panel , Friday I had an outage I was pulling Max off one leg and 10% off the other. Bad for a generator.

I think you just saved me a 'load of bucks. Could I still have a subpanel that would be switched as well?

You could have a subpanel fed from the main panel, and it would be backfed from the generator as well. Just keep in mind, 6000 watts won't run much.

That interlock kit sounded good on paper but it's the klugiest looking thing installed. I'm thinking to that I'd like to have a sub panel and have that switched as well so I'm going with the old fashioned transfer switch.

option 2 is $200, but

the feeder. Option

It just shows you how overpriced a lot of electrical equipment is (or how residential stuff is highly subsidized by other customers). A 200A main panel is $80 at Home Depot with 6 breakers included. Buy the equivalent rated panel from CH without the breakers and it will list for $300. I bought the 100A switch from Harbor Freight and have been happy with it -- its huge and seems very industrial. A co-worker bought the 200A version.

a circuit breaker

Generally, all conductors must be protected from short circuits. You could argue that the generator can't source enough current to melt the feeder, but I'm unsure if the code allows you to run the output from a generator unfused (I don't think it does). Usually, a generator has built in overcurrent protection anyway. It also requires a disconnect, but the transfer switch may qualify if it is in sight of the generator, and a power cord would also qualify.

If this is new construction, I'd definitely go with the 200A model. It makes the neutral bonding issue so much easier when this is Service Equipment. You can always bond the generator if you need to, but unbonding some can be impossible. Only requirement with this switch is that it must be mounted immediately adjacent to your 200A main breaker box.

-- Mark Kent, WA

Once you install the interlock kit anything that is supplied from that panel, including sub panels, can be supplied by the generator connection. The only limitation is the capacity of the generator set itself.

-- Tom H