Quick home electric question
The short answer is "find out what meets code" I don't know if this is US or state by state
1...You MAY be able to buy a mechanical lockout for your box which is a simple metal device that locks the genset breaker off when the main is on, and vice versa. These MUST be built for the specific panel and are not available for all of them. Example of a lockout. I would contact local "folks" and see IF THESE CAN BE legally fabricated for your area. I would think the liability concerns would be tremendous. Also check if you can buy one of these that operates as a separate new box, which would have to be wired "cut in" between your meter and the main panel. The main breaker on the new box would have to handle the ENTIRE capacity of your service.
2...Alternatively you need some sort of genset control/ switching panel. One type used for home stuff has individual breakers to supply what you want to run off the genset. These can be switched individually. "How they work" is each and all of these genset breakers is wired into the main panel to the breaker of the circuit in the panel you want on the genset. They are simply a breaker and a SPDT switch. When they are "normal" they apply the load from the main panel individual brearker to the load. When the individual genset breaker in in the gen position, it cuts the load loose from that breaker in the main panel and switches the load to the genset breaker. Many of these I see DO NOT APPEAR to be weatherproof
3...."Whole house" genset transfer panel. This cuts into the main panel, breaks the feed from the main service, and connects the genset to the main panel. The advantage to this is that it powers the "whole thing." The DIS advantage is, that you may not have a large enough genset, and will have to go out and manually shut off the breakers you do not want powered when the genset is operating. The other DIS advantage is switch panel cost. Notice the "big ***" wiring. The contactor/ switchgear must be able to switch the entire main power capacity.......expensive
The short answer is "find out what meets code" I don't know if this is US or state by state
1...You MAY be able to buy a mechanical lockout for your box which is a simple metal device that locks the genset breaker off when the main is on, and vice versa. These MUST be built for the specific panel and are not available for all of them. Example of a lockout. I would contact local "folks" and see IF THESE CAN BE legally fabricated for your area. I would think the liability concerns would be tremendous. Also check if you can buy one of these that operates as a separate new box, which would have to be wired "cut in" between your meter and the main panel. The main breaker on the new box would have to handle the ENTIRE capacity of your service.
2...Alternatively you need some sort of genset control/ switching panel. One type used for home stuff has individual breakers to supply what you want to run off the genset. These can be switched individually. "How they work" is each and all of these genset breakers is wired into the main panel to the breaker of the circuit in the panel you want on the genset. They are simply a breaker and a SPDT switch. When they are "normal" they apply the load from the main panel individual brearker to the load. When the individual genset breaker in in the gen position, it cuts the load loose from that breaker in the main panel and switches the load to the genset breaker. Many of these I see DO NOT APPEAR to be weatherproof
3...."Whole house" genset transfer panel. This cuts into the main panel, breaks the feed from the main service, and connects the genset to the main panel. The advantage to this is that it powers the "whole thing." The DIS advantage is, that you may not have a large enough genset, and will have to go out and manually shut off the breakers you do not want powered when the genset is operating. The other DIS advantage is switch panel cost. Notice the "big ***" wiring. The contactor/ switchgear must be able to switch the entire main power capacity.......expensive
