Generator Transfer Switch 200 Amp For Free

I show a generator transfer switch I got off of a job I did today. The switch was not working properly. I show you how I did a simple fix and show the basics of how to hook -up a transfer switch for emergency back-up power.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• 200
• Amp
• Generator
• Transfer
• Switch
• repair
• hook-up
• Emergency
• back-up
• power

[mballas56]

For some light reading, cummins power generation has some very good white papres they have published on grounds. I do not work for a cummins dealer but there white paper is very well put together.

[homesteadprepper]

@mballas56 Thanks.

[mballas56]

you should not break the neutral for a home. 240 volt single phase. The neutral and ground should only be bonded at one point, the main service panel, or service entrance.

[homesteadprepper]

@mballas56 According to the "authority having jurisdiction" in my area, the neutral can be broken if the line power comes into the tranfer switch which would be the first means of disconnect, bonded at that point and then the neutral going to a "sub panel' could be broken. The AHJ said that he would not switch the neutral if he was doing the job but he could find nothing in the NEC that said otherwise.I will be talking to another inspector and getting his interpretation of this.thx.

[farstarfilm]

you dont need a tranfer switch

[homesteadprepper]

@farstarfilm ?

[cloinwalsh]

Without seeing the genset setup I can't comment further. I think either way is safe if grounded properly, but all of the portable sets I have seen are not grounded at all.

Your video is a lot better than the videos showing backfeeding of breakers.

[cloinwalsh]

I am by no means an expert on the NEC it has been a long time since I sat for my master's license. Try NEC Article 250.20(D) Fine Print Note No. 1 “An alternate alternating current power source such as an on-site generator is not a separately derived system if the neutral is solidly interconnected to a service-supplied system neutral.”

If you set the genset up as a separately derived system than you must switch the neutral to avoid having multiple ground paths.

[homesteadprepper]

@cloinwalsh I don't see the code violation for switching the neutral for stand by power. Technically, If you run the generator and there is an imbalance on the neutral, the current might use the power company neutral for a return instead of the one supplied by the generator and endanger a lineman. I appreciate your comment and would like further clarification and a NEC reference. I have been known to be wrong before. Thanks.

[cloinwalsh]

NIce video, you should not be switching the grounded or neutral conductor.