How can I connect a generator and transfer switch to my house to supply electricity? Basic Generator Connection to Power a Home, Generator Transfer Switch and Panel.
Home Generator Electrical Question:How can I connect a generator and transfer switch to my house to supply electricity?
Upon buying my house which was rebuilt in 1987, I found a second fuse box in my garage with two 40 amp breakers and 2-15 amp breakers.
Running out of the box is a 110 line powering my garage lights, a 110 outlet plug and a single what I believe to be a NEMA 6 – 30 amp plug.
Is this an older version of a transfer switch?
Can the NEMA 6-30 be converted to a 240 twist lock to connect to my generator?
Will this get me the best usage from my generator? My generator is a Champion 7KW.
The workmanship appears professional and the lines are run into my main panel via conduit under ground and is wired into a dual 50 amp breaker.
This home electrical repairs question came from: Gerry, from Nesconset, New York.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Gerry.
Generator Power for a Home
Application: Installing a Home Generator.
Skill Level: Advanced – Best installed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Electricians pouch of hand tools and the various power tools necessary for installing the generator, transfer switch, interlock kit, or generator circuit panel.
Estimated Time: Depends on the type and size of the generator and transfer switch or device and the available access to the project area.
Important: Installing a generator, transfer switch or generator panel must be well thought out and performed with a permit with all work being inspected.
Note: Back-feeding or using cheater cords to connect a generator to the home electrical system is extremely dangerous and should never be used.
Basic Generator Connection to Power a Home
The electrical power connection of a generator to the home electrical system must be made safe to avoid damaging the generator or creating a hazardous condition for the home electrical system and the utility company.
A generator should only be connected to the home electrical system by using an approved disconnect system that will prevent the back-flow of power into the utility company service wiring and to prevent the generator from being damaged when the electrical utility service is restored. This is typically provided by installing a transfer switch, circuit breaker interlock, or a dedicated generator panel with circuits that will be powered by the generator.
All of these transfer switches or interlock systems or devices should be UL approved and installed with a permit and inspected, and is best performed by a licensed electrical contractor.
Generator Transfer Switch and Panel
From what has been described in this question, Gerry has discovered a sub panel in the garage of this home, and this is not a transfer switch or the place to connect a generator unless you only wish to have the generator power up the circuits that are in this sub panel, however a circuit breaker interlock kit would need to be installed first if an interlock kit is available for this sub panel.
The dual 50 amp breaker is most likely the disconnect or main breaker for the power source to the sub panel. A sub panel circuit should never be used to connect a generator for the purpose of back feeding the home electrical system. Refer to the explanation above.
How to Connect a Portable Generator
How To Hook Up a Generator to the House Panel Using a Circuit Breaker Interlock Kit For Backup Power. Helping You Wire it Right
This series of articles covers a wide variety of topics all about home generators including sizing, selecting, connecting and safely operating this all important addition to your home.
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.
Please Note:
Unless otherwise posted, please refer to the following Guidelines when working on Electrical Projects:
Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Precaution:
Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Important:
Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and National Electrical Codes, with a permit and be inspected.
