Generator owners read this

[tdwyatt]

Those of you that own 5 Kw or larger capacity generators should look at this product, especially if you have or plan to include permanent installation of separate circuits for your aquaria. I had planned to install separate 20 amp circuits for each system, and found this item while shopping for a suitable subpanel. Definitely worth the cash, and it is prewired as well, saving a little time in the install process.

about $90 US at Home despot.

The link is a .pdf file, so you will need adobe, best to right click the link and save to file.

Generator switching subpanel Square D

[tdwyatt]

^^^^^

[cath]

thanks for the info, Tom.

[dwall174]

Yea those are sweet, My neighbor has a set-up something like that! If the power goes out all he has to do is connect a supper heavy duty cord from his generator in the garage to a special waterproof outlet that’s mounted on the back of his house. This outlet is wired to a transfer switch like Tom mentioned, Once power is supplied to this outlet it automatically transfers the power from the generator to the main house breaker panel.

The thing I like about it is that it also disconnects the main power line so that there is no way to back feed any power out of the house to the outside lines. Even once the normal power comes back on there’s no chance of interference you have to manually switch the house power back on.

As Tom stated you will need at least a 5k generator! My neighbors is a 6500-watt. I would highly recommend that anyone interested in one of these check their electric codes first, and get a licensed electrician to do the final connection.

[Junkzoo]

Yup Tom , that's the way to go,,,,
and i do recommend them so backfeeding thru the elect panel is not a option that way,,,,(remember , if the power you generate goes back thru the power lines,it gets increased via the transformer,),and very well could KILL the lineman working on a "dead" line,,,,
only because i know better, and have a checklist procedure,and follow it to the letter,,,and am the only one doing it at my house,,,i am sheepishly admitting i do backfeed my panel if /when power goes out, and do so with a check,check,double check process that NASA would envy,,,,
also there are breakers that have interlocks on them to only allow to be backfed or the main panel, never both,can't happen.

not saying my experience/knowledge ,or whatever you want to call it is special , but i still would recommend a transfer panel for anyone using a generator