Upgrade an Electrical Panel and Install a Home Generator

Planning and Installing a Home Generator Power System: The complete home electrical system should be considered when installing a home generator system and transfer switch. Upgrading portions of an aging home electrical system is advisable. Here are some key factors that you should consider before attempting such a project. © By: Dave Rongey

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Electrical Panel and Home Generator
Electrical Question:
I am just about ready to replace my old Federal Pacific breaker panel (a Fire Hazard!) with a new 200amp panel from Siemens. Along with this change I would like to add a generator feed option using a 30amp breaker and an interlock kit that is available from Siemens made specifically for my new panel.

• I have arranged with the local power company to pull the meter and reinstall it once the job is complete and has been inspected by the county, so the major safety aspect of the panel replacement will not be an issue.
• The specific question I have is related to the installation of the generator feed circuit.
  The generator that I could afford is a Champion, Made in China, but the reviews have actually been pretty good and I got it for a good price, 3500 – 4000 watts single-head generator, so it only has a 120 vac output.
• What I’d like to do is run the cable from the generator to an outdoor-rated junction box where it would be connected to some 10/3 building wire. There I would tie the Black wire from the generator to both the Black AND Red wires of the 10/3 line. Then in the new breaker panel the Black and Red wires would go to the Generator Feed circuit breaker and the white and green wires would go to their respective buss.
• This way I could use any of the circuits in my panel, excluding the 240vac circuits to the range and the dryer of course, as long as I don’t exceed the power limitations of the generator. To monitor the load I am planning on using a set of meters, only one would be needed in this instance that I found at Electric Generators Direct.
• It seems like this should work but I’m not certain. I definitely don’t want to do something that is not safe for humans or the house or the generator.
• Do you think this would likely be OK as far as the county code inspector is concerned? Is there an issue with the Neutral lines? It seems one thread I saw online mentioned that the Neutrals could be a problem? Is there anything else I’m not thinking of that will make this a bad idea?
• Would an alternative, if the above scenario is not allowable, be to NOT use the Red wire of the 10/3 line at all and run the Black and White wires from the generator to the generator feed breaker and only use one half of the panel when I am using the generator? Since I will be installing all new circuit breakers I could ensure that the circuits I would want to use in a power-out situation would be on one side of the panel.
• Finally, in either of these configurations should I hook a ground line from the ground lug provided on the front panel of the generator to a ground point near the generator outside the house? It seems I’ve heard conflicting answers to this question.

Thanks, Roger

This home electrical wiring question came from: Roger, from Aloha, Oregon.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Roger.

Installing an Electrical Panel and a Home Generator Backup or Standby Power System

Skill Level: Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician. Not Recommended for Homeowners.
Tools Required: Electricians pouch of hand tools and the various power tools necessary for installing the generator and transfer switch.
Estimated Time: Depends on the type and size of the generator and transfer switch and the available access to the project area.
Precaution: Any existing electrical wiring within the immediate area that may interfere with the installation of the transfer switch may need to be relocated if necessary.
Important: Installing a generator and transfer switch must be well thought out and performed with a permit with all work being inspected.

Planning and Installing a Home Generator System

Due to the complexity of  the home electrical systems which must be clearly identified and considered I strongly suggest the following when installing a home generator system:
The complete home electrical system should be considered when installing a home generator system and transfer switch. Upgrading portions of an aging home electrical system is advisable.

Here are some key factors that you should consider before attempting a home generator project:

• Survey the existing home electrical system and the consider replacing and updating aging or dangerous electrical conditions including outdated panels such as the Federal Pacific Panel.
• To properly size the generator and transfer switch you must identify the circuits that will be required to be operating with the generator power system.
• Produce a basic plan of the work to be completed and submit it to licensed electrical contractors who will then assist you with your generator installation and provide a bid to install the generator equipment, transfer switch and electrical components.
• The electrical contractor should obtain a permit and have all work inspected by the local building authority.

SAFETY NOTE

• Smaller home generator projects including a portable generator must still include a means of power separation from the utility power company by installing a transfer switch or an interlock device which should be installed with a permit and inspected.
• Using a portable generator to connect specific devices and equipment apart or separate from the home electrical system may be exempt from permits or inspections, however you should verify this with your local building authority.

See More about Installing a Generator and Transfer Switch

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