transfer panel

[alern]

i am building a transfer panel allready have the box and breakers , need help on wireing it up  i need to run 4 circuts on it  

 thanks

[ghurd]

A little more info.

What volts? Amps? AC or DC? etc.

G-

[alern]

i have a 5000 watt 120 volt ac generator , i wont to wire up a transfer switch so i can isolate 3 or 4 curcits from the utility when the power goes off . then i can switch from utility power to generator power

  thanks for any help

[drdongle]

You can buy these pemade from various companys including Northern Supply.

[K3CZ]

I suggest a much simpler and less expensive approach:

Use a dual 30amp 240v. breaker in the main box out to a 30a female twist lock connector in a utility box.  From there, you can plug in a flex cable running to your 6 ckt mini breaker panel that feeds the critical ckts.  When necessary, unplug the pig tail male twist lock connector, and plug it into the cable coming from your generator, which is outside, of course.  There is no possibility of backfeed, and it is totally under your control.  I am presently building such an arrangement into the house that I have under construction; the pigtail can go either to a 4kw backup generator (120/240v), or to a future similarly rated RE (solar/wind/battery) setup.   Good luck!  Van, K3CZ, PE

[srnoth]

Hi there,

I guess the simplest way to do it would be to buy a pre-made trasfer switch from one of the companies that make them, but that would be expensive, and hey, it wouldn't be as fun ;->!!

You can do it with two circuit breakers physically connected so that only one can be on at a time, as discussed here:

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2004/11/14/205236/86

Hope that helps,

Stephen.

[rotornuts]

I'll throw in a vote for going with a premade transfer panel. Square D, Cutler Hammer, a number of other big boys and independants using the big boys gear make such panels as generator tranfer switches. I forget what I paid for mine but it whas just over 100ish and came with the interconnected mains and 4 15 amp breakers. Actually, if you really think about it it's hard to build one yourself for less.

Sometimes I think it's better to not DIY.

It's not that you should be scared of what may happen, it's just that you should be scared of what might happen!

Mike