Home Generators

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sun, 01 May 2011 05:30:47 -08:00

The Home Generators and Home Electrical Wiring Resource for Installing and Repairing Electrical Wiring the Right Way

Transfer Switch Size and Installation

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:05:15 -08:00

I have a 7KW Generac generator. The generator has a 70amp built in breaker. My house is a mobile home with a 100 amp circuit panel. I want to install a whole house weather proof 100 amp auto transfer switch. My question is can I use the whole house transfer switch even though the generator circuit breaker has the 70 amp breaker?

The Basic Generator System and How It Works

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:32:53 -08:00

Generator Baiscs Generators smaller then 4,000 watts are in most instances not capable of powering a home during a power outage because they can not provide the needed power for electrical loads such as motors, well pumps and ventilation blowers on a central heating system. Home-Generators A typical home supplied with 200-amp electric service can actually support a load of approximately 45,000 watts (45kW) of electric demand.

Methods for Connecting a Generator to an Electric Service Panel

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:02:17 -08:00

Hi Dave, I wish to wire a 7kw backup generator into my exterior home breaker panel. The power goes out several times a year for several hours at a time. Can I use a 2 pole breaker to connect the generator power to the panel? I have a L14P box attached to the breaker box. This feeds the breaker, albeit on the output of the breaker. The utility feeds into the 200amp up top goes dead, I turn this off. I plug in generator, turn on its 2 pole breaker and both legs are energized. I manage my load with normal breaker control. Thank you, JB

One Generator for Multiple Electrical Services

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:33:31 -08:00

Bob, from Lebec, California asks: We have a 400 amp main panel with 3 meters so essentially we have 3 separate main electrical service panels that provide power to three separate sub panels- two separate structures and a water well pump. Is it possible to set this system up with a single backup generator and an automatic transfer switch (or three separate switches) that will power all three sub panels from the single generator when switched to Generator power, and then when switched back to main service power the three sub panels would be powered by the three separate Main electrical panels? Thanks, Bob

Connecting a Generator to an Electrical Panel

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:26:35 -08:00

Don, from Dennison, Ohio asks: Can I run a 7kw generator thru a 20 ft cord to an inlet box and then connect into a 60 amp circuit breaker inside my 200 amp panel, to be my disconnect when the generator is not in use? The 60 amp circuit breaker is being used for the electric stove and I would use it because there are no empty spaces in my panel for additional circuit breakers.

Installing Home Generators

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:18:32 -08:00

Anthony, from la grange, Illinois asks: I have a Generac Model 5837 Core Power generator with 50 amp automatic transfer switch. My house has a 100 amp service. The generator is a natural gas model with automatic start and transfer. I am only going to support certain loads such as the sump pump, refrigerator, furnace (no air conditioner) and a few lights. The village where I live has adopted NEC 1999 as electrical code. How far from the house must generator be?