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Electrical Wire and Cable


Home Generator Automatic Transfer Switch Design

How to Wire a Custom Generator Transfer Switch – This series covers a wide variety of topics all about home generators including sizing, selecting, connecting and safely operating this all important addition to your home.


Electrical Video #1

Generator Automatic Transfer Switch
and Electric Circuit Sub Panel

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» AskTheElectrician «

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Custom Designed Automated Generator Transfer Switch
Electrical Question: Hey Dave: About a year ago in this time you were indispensable to me at helping me successfully wire a 2 speed whole house attic fan with a Leviton electronic timer. You were worth every penny of the consultation!

I’m back with an entirely different question, and am only too glad to pay you for your time.

My purpose is for you to:
A) Review work I am considering for potential safety problems, or
B) Better ways of handling the matter.

I am going to try to have power from a backup generator AUTOMATICALLY provide electricity to several circuits in my home. These circuits are now part of my main (and only) electrical panel, in my otherwise stand-alone single family home.

With somewhat more detail, my hardware includes the following:

A) outdoor generator/inverter that cannot produce more than 3000 (clean) watts AC
B) electrical sub-panel
C) automatic transfer switch

Currently, when power goes out, I manually fire up the generator, and manually, using (manual) transfer switches, provide power to these select few circuits from the generator. Of course, once utility power is restored, the whole thing gets reversed, manually.

Additional Comments: Awesome website with clear instructions.
Background: Russ, a Homeowner from Scarsdale, New York

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Russ.
NOTE:
This was a custom designed project so the details are not shown due to specific sizing.

I have provided the following resources that lead to fully detailed information on this website that will assist you with your electrical question:

How to Wire a Custom Generator Transfer Switch

Custom Designed Automated Generator Transfer Switch
Generators
Generators

This series covers a wide variety of topics all about home generators including sizing, selecting, connecting and safely operating this all important addition to your home.

Make sure not to miss these Resources for: How-To-Videos
Generator Video

220 Volt Wiring Diagram

Electrical Junction Boxes
Electrical Code for How Many Wires in Junction Boxes

Circuit Breakers
House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers

Circuit Wiring
Electrical Panel Circuit Listing

Generator Section
The Importance of a Generator Transfer Switch
Generator Articles
Generator Questions and Answers

Light Switch Wiring
Wiring Diagrams

Electrical Panel Circuit Listing

Sub Panel Electrical Wiring

Generator Transfer Switches

Electrical Wire for the Home


The following may also be helpful for you:

Electrical Video #2

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet

without a Ground Wire

Check out my YouTube Channel and Subscribe to my Videos
» AskTheElectrician «

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.



Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Automatic Transfer Switch, Electrical Wiring and Home Electrical Wiring:
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Why Track Lights May Stop Working How to Test Electrical Circuits for a Home Generator


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

2 Responses to “Home Generator Automatic Transfer Switch Design”
  1. pubudu says:

    Do you have a wiring diagram of a contactor controlled ATS automatic transfer switch?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Pubadu,
    Can you provide any more information about the automatic transfer switch?
    That would be very helpful.
    Dave