[PVRCNC] RE: [PVRC] Emergency generator power (fwd)

Wed, 24 Sep 2003 17:17:15 -0400

Check your local electrical code on exactly what you are permitted to do in
your own home and how.  My transfer switch was pretty inexpensive, certainly
under $100, came with all the cables and just needed mounting and
installation.  Not a big deal, and idiot proof (which I regret to admit I
need!).

Jim, N3JT

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On
> Behalf Of Jim Jordan K4QPL
> Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 10:26 PM
> To: PVRC; PVRCNC
> Subject: Re: [PVRC] Emergency generator power (fwd)
>
>
>
> Although I certainly support "Safety First" I have yet to find
> one of those
> transfer switches at any cost effective price which gives enough
> flexibility
> for use with a small generator.
>
> I  DO rely on my own intelligence to pull the main breakers first and turn
> them back on last. After all, climbing towers and working with HV linears,
> etc., should adequately instill caution and concern for others in
> every ham.
> I am never going to test it, but I'd bet the 15A breakers on my generator
> would pop instantly if  the main breaker was closed to the system through
> the pole transformer.
>
> Anyway, I've installed a pair of  ganged 20A breakers in each of
> my two 100A
> boxes. These are tied together observing phase. In normal use
> both pairs are
> locked open so each box is fed from the main busses.
>
> When the power goes out, I turn off both Main breakers and then
> turn off all
> the big ticket breakers except the 220V well pump, turn on the linking
> breakers, and backfeed 220V with 50' of 3-10 + ground romex from my
> generator through the 220V air compressor receptacle in the garage.
>
> Power management then becomes family common sense. Turn off
> lights if you're
> not in a room. Don't use the electric iron; don't use the microwave if the
> toaster is on, etc. But all regular house circuits remain available and
> there's none of the frustration of dead outlets or dark rooms.
> Worse case a
> trip to the generator to reset a breaker if one side gets overloaded. (And
> whoever caused it gets a raspberry!)
>
> Reverse the process before turning on the main breakers when the power is
> restored.
>
> With this setup our 4.4kw generator has kept us comfortable
> through a number
> of days of power loss due to ice storms and hurricanes, including Isabel.
> Yes, I know it's not "code" but if I ever sell the house, it's a
> 5 min. job
> to get it back to the original layout.
>
> 73,
>
> Jim, K4QPL
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "cliff bedore" <[email protected]>
> To: "Radio Club" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Monday, September 22, 2003 8:34 AM
> Subject: [PVRC] Emergency generator power (fwd)
>
>
> > > Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 04:31:14 -0400
> > >
> > > I've been catching up on archives of the PVRC list from the time I was
> > > gone, and read a bit about generators and emergency AC power.
> > >
> > > That inspires me to add a cautionary note -- if it's unnecessary or
> > > gratuitous, I apologize, but this was news to me when I inquired a
> couple
> > > of years ago on one of the reflectors --
> > >
> > > You should never connect a generator to a 110 or 220 bus in your house
> > > without being absolutely sure that the house is completely
> disconnected
> > > from the commercial mains, lest you electrocute the lineman
> who comes to
> > > fix your power.  The electrical code does not permit reliance on a
> > > knowledgeable user to make sure the main breaker is open, and instead
> > > specifies a transfer switch as the only approved way to connect a
> generator
> > > -- this provides a mechanical interlock to ensure that the generator
> power
> > > cannot feed back to the mains.
> >
> > There is an alternative to completely disconnecting from the power grid.
> > During the Y2K excitement, I bought a generator and a "manual power
> transfer
> > switch"  which lets you switch individual circuits in your house between
> the
> > mains and the generator.  The crude diagram below shows how it works for
> > individual circuits
> >
> > orig circuit
> >
> > MAIN-----CB---------outlet
> >
> >
> > one circuit of manual transfer switch
> >
> >                    wire nut
> >                      |
> > MAIN-----CB\         /-----outlet
> >             \       /
> >              \     /
> >         3 position switch
> > GEN-------------|
> >
> >
> > The idea is that you mount the switch box near your circuit breaker box
> and run
> > the wires from the switch box to the breaker box.  Shut off the circuit
> breaker
> > for the circuit you want to have on the generator, remove the
> wire to the
> > breaker, connect one of the switch wires to the circuit breaker and wire
> nut
> > the other switch wire to the original circuit wire.  Repeat for each
> circuit
> > that you want to have generator power.  My box let me switch up to six
> circuits
> > but other boxes will let you switch more.  Mine was also
> limited to 15 amp
> > circuits.  You can use 2 of the switches in parallel to control 1 220v
> circuit.
> >
> > The switch box does require a 220v generator and cabling from
> the OUTSIDE
> > generator to the switch box.  I emphasize OUTSIDE because we've had at
> least 3
> > people die from running them inside the house after Isabel.
> >
> > Advantages: install it yourself, no messing with the 220v line into the
> house.
> > lower cost. My panel was about $200.00
> >
> > Disadvantages: limited circuits, limited current per circuit
> (i.e. I can't
> > connect the kitchen because it's a 20 amp circuit.  You
> probably can't run
> the
> > Air Conditioner but you can run the furnace blower.
> >
> > I have mine wired into the shack, the furnace, the family room, the sump
> pump
> > and a circuit to run an extension cord up to the fridge in the kitchen.
> Spent
> > about $500.00 on the 5KW gen and $200 for the panel.  With cabling etc
> still
> > less than $800.00.  I bought the cheap noisy generator because I don't
> plan on
> > using it on a regular basis.  More money would give more power/lower
> noise.
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > > 73, Pete N4ZR
> > > The World HF Contest Station Database was updated August 30.
> > > 129 stations were added or updated.
> > > Are you current? www.pvrc.org/wcsd/wcsdsearch.htm
> > >
> >
> > --
> > Cliff Bedore
> > 7403 Radcliffe Dr. College Park MD 20740
> > [email protected] http://www.bdb.com
> > Amateur Radio Call Sign W3CB For info on ham radio, http://www.arrl.org/
> > _______________________________________________
> > PVRC mailing list
> > [email protected]
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pvrc
>
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