My new house is currently under construction. The electrician is putting in a panel that uses Square D breakers, 200 Amp service.

I want to purchase a generator transfer switch for him to install. As far as I'm aware, I could:

1. Get a Square D compatible box, such as this.

2. Get another box that uses other brands of breakers, such as this.

Is there any reason to stick with Square D, or just get any other transfer switch panel? Pros/cons?

Any recommendations on a transfer switch that is compatible with this situation and a 7kW generator and has 6-12 breaker slots?

I would stick with Square-D since that is what is being used for your main panel. Just make sure to stay away from Square-D’s Homeline panels and breakers and use their QO line. The link you provided is in their QO line, so you’re good there.

A serious question. Why not ask the electrician to furnish and install the transfer switch? They know local codes and what is available locally, works well and would provide warranty service if needed.

I would always install if possible whatever the customer wanted or furnished. Sometimes I could have saved the customer money by making different choices if only they had asked me in advance.

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:
I would stick with Square-D since that is what is being used for your main panel. Just make sure to stay away from Square-D’s Homeline panels and breakers and use their QO line. The link you provided is in their QO line, so you’re good there.

I’m ok with that, but that panel only has 4 open breaker slots. I would prefer at least 6. I haven't had much luck finding a slightly bigger model that they make.

quote:

Originally posted by sig operator:
A serious question. Why not ask the electrician to furnish and install the transfer switch? They know local codes and what is available locally, works well and would provide warranty service if needed.

I would always install if possible whatever the customer wanted or furnished. Sometimes I could have saved the customer money by making different choices if only they had asked me in advance.

I tried that. Since it’s an extra add on, they wanted me to provide the one I wanted. I got the impression that they haven't had to install many of these.

The Square D panel has 4 spaces, and you could use 4 tandem breakers for a total of 8 single pole circuits. You would also need to buy the outdoor receptacle and power cord to connect it to the generator, as shown in the second link.
I also like Square D equipment.

Just buy an Interlock. Installs in five minutes.

http://www.interlockkit.com/Se...Results.asp?Cat=1829

This is way better set up. You can choose which loads you want powered. Want a hot shower? Turn off everything else, flip on HWH breaker for 45 minutes. Flip off HWH, flip back on other loads. Never thought you needed a certain circuit, but now you do? Just turn it on.

This only works if you understand how much load your generator can handle and how much power your circuits are using. An electrician can help discuss what loads can and can't be powered. It's key with this type of set up not to run A/C or other loads that exceeds generators ratings or you can end up with damaged generator or appliances.

A 7 kw generator will do basic emergency duty--2 rooms, hallway, refrigerator, freezer, garage door opener, bathroom.
Identify which generator you want- it should include the automatic transfer switch. Have the electrician wire it in now with these dedicated circuits.
Koehler makes a bullet proof 8 KW model.
On line retailor will drop ship to your driveway. Shipped price $2,900

https://www.norwall.com/produc...itch-8RESVL-100LC12/

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
Just buy an Interlock. Installs in five minutes.

http://www.interlockkit.com/Se...Results.asp?Cat=1829

That's what my electrical suggested and installed as well.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGfourme:
A 7 kw generator will do basic emergency duty--2 rooms, hallway, refrigerator, freezer, garage door opener, bathroom.
Identify which generator you want- it should include the automatic transfer switch. Have the electrician wire it in now with these dedicated circuits.
Koehler makes a bullet proof 8 KW model.
On line retailor will drop ship to your driveway. Shipped price $2,900

https://www.norwall.com/produc...itch-8RESVL-100LC12/

He's looking at MTS not ATS.

Since you’re building a new house and starting from scratch, I recommend going the Manual Transfer Switch route. With an interlock kit, it’s much easier to overload the generator picking and choosing what you power. Then you have potentially overloaded the generator and potentially disabled it and then you’re screwed.

Keep in mind you’re only going to need to run essentials in an extended outage. Is an interlock kit cheaper and easier to install, yes. But the MTS route is safer and easier for the average homeowner to use in a stressful situation like an extended power outage.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGfourme:
A 7 kw generator will do basic emergency duty--2 rooms, hallway, refrigerator, freezer, garage door opener, bathroom.
Identify which generator you want- it should include the automatic transfer switch. Have the electrician wire it in now with these dedicated circuits.
Koehler makes a bullet proof 8 KW model.
On line retailor will drop ship to your driveway. Shipped price $2,900

https://www.norwall.com/produc...itch-8RESVL-100LC12/

I have a Kohler 8KW propane powered generator that backs up the solar system. Upon battery voltage dropping below certain levels (any of 3 different levels for 24 hour, 2 hour, and two minutes) the solar system automatically starts the generator.

This generator will automatically shut down for many conditions - undervoltage, overvoltage, underspeed, overspeed, etc. I believe that it would be difficult to overload this generator in a manner that would hurt it, but it is easy to load it in a manner that causes it to defensively shut down. This is easily remedied by removing the loads, turning the generator off, then turning it back on.

Nota bene: Our Kohler 8KW generator will NOT deliver 8KW to the solar system without shutting down defensively. I’d have to go look, but I (dimly) recall that I had to limit the solar system to drawing a lot closer to 7KW to get the 8KW Kohler propane powered generator to run consistently without defensively shutting down. This is in contrast to our Miller Trailblazer diesel powered welder / 10KW generator (backup to the backup). When I plug in the welder, flip the manual transfer switch, and start it, it happily and steadily puts out 10KW and I can adjust the solar system settings to draw that much.

If the generator isn’t already purchased, look into what protection / defensive shutdown measures it may have. Also look into how much sustained load it can support, as it may be that the “nameplate number” is a short term / peak load only and you may be interested in the load it can consistently support. I guess you want to figure that out anyway, even if the generator is already purchased.

There is a big difference between, “Whoops, the generator tripped offline, I guess I need to reduce the load and restart.” and “Oh ****, I just smoked the generator, now we’re hosed!” It is worth knowing which boat you might be in ahead of time...

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:
Since you’re building a new house and starting from scratch, I recommend going the Manual Transfer Switch route. With an interlock kit, it’s much easier to overload the generator picking and choosing what you power. Then you have potentially overloaded the generator and potentially disabled it and then you’re screwed.

Keep in mind you’re only going to need to run essentials in an extended outage. Is an interlock kit cheaper and easier to install, yes. But the MTS route is safer and easier for the average homeowner to use in a stressful situation like an extended power outage.

I'd give that advice to someone who I didn't think could understand how it works, or I thought would ignore my instructions. For someone with a brain, nope. I'd also give it for someone who travels and their significant other couldn't comprehend how it all works.

Either way it doesn't stop you from overloading the generator, just makes it so you can't easily do something stupid.

When I set these up I ALWAYS make sure both spouses are home and I color code loads. Red = Never use. Yellow = turn off all other loads. Green = Lighting circuit, don't be stupid. For customers I liked I'd laminate start-up, running, and shut down procedure.

We have a whole house generator, and auto transfer panel. A couple of weeks ago, Hurricane Dorian provided the first test. Lights flicker and power goes out, 10 seconds or so later the generator starts up, 10 seconds later, full power! Yay!

Only way to go in my opinion.

I think I've decided on the manual interlock. That way, I don't have to buy an extra panel with a limited number of chosen circuits. The interlock applies to the entire main panel, so I can make selections from the entire house when the generator is being used.

I already have the 7kW generator, so I don't need to shop for one of those. While a larger generator and automatic switch would be cool, it just seems like overkill for my situation.

I just found out from the electrician that they will be installing this Homeline panel that has 40 spaces. That should be plenty to spare slots 2,4 for the 2-pole breaker tied to the generator plug in.

I'd ask him how much more he'd charge for QO instead. QO will last you half a century or more, sales rep will tell you HOM is built in same factory or whatever.. I would pay the extra cost if possible or ask to supply my own.

Edit. Just email me. I'll help you.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
I'd ask him how much more he'd charge for QO instead. QO will last you half a century or more, sales rep will tell you HOM is built in same factory or whatever.. I would pay the extra cost if possible or ask to supply my own.

Edit. Just email me. I'll help you.

I just emailed him. If the difference is small, I'd rather have the QO. If not, I think the Homeline will be adequate.

In all reality it will be just fine either way. When I did my panel replacement I was broke, knowing what's the absolute best I got a Siemens panel because I saved $200. House hasn't burnt down yet five years in.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
I'd ask him how much more he'd charge for QO instead. QO will last you half a century or more, sales rep will tell you HOM is built in same factory or whatever.. I would pay the extra cost if possible or ask to supply my own.

Edit. Just email me. I'll help you.

I just emailed him. If the difference is small, I'd rather have the QO. If not, I think the Homeline will be adequate.

Pay the extra coin for the QO. Price difference is only about 80 dollars, but worth every penny. Homeline panels have an aluminum bus and QO has tin coated copper. The QO breakers even snap to the bus much better. We don’t install Homeline panels on commercial or industrial jobs for good reason. Homeline panels have been known to have the bus bars break loose from the plastic insulators. QO breakers are also more readily available if one needs to be replaced.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
Just buy an Interlock. Installs in five minutes.

http://www.interlockkit.com/Se...Results.asp?Cat=1829

This is way better set up. You can choose which loads you want powered. Want a hot shower? Turn off everything else, flip on HWH breaker for 45 minutes. Flip off HWH, flip back on other loads. Never thought you needed a certain circuit, but now you do? Just turn it on.

This only works if you understand how much load your generator can handle and how much power your circuits are using. An electrician can help discuss what loads can and can't be powered. It's key with this type of set up not to run A/C or other loads that exceeds generators ratings or you can end up with damaged generator or appliances.

I agree with this. I would much rather be able to switch on any breaker in the house (if the generator will handle it) at my leisure. This way you're not stuck with only the same six items. For an extended outage you may need electricity in a different part of the house or whatever and have the flexibility to pick and choose any of the breakers in the panel.