So if I stop by and need a little welding done you'll help me out? Cool. It's only 1000 miles. And 20 hours. I'll bring pie if you have coffee.
Well back on topic once things are setup you will have to share the setup and how things work out. I am sure it should bring your parents some security.
Ron
When AC line voltage is normal, a TS allows powering the load from the
grid. When AC fails TS connects the load to the generator while
isolating it from mains. Connecting any power source directly into any
point of electrical wiring without a transfer switch is illegal and
dangerous because of so called backfeeding. Backfeeding (or
interconnection) is supplying electricity from your wiring system back
into electric grid. It energizes the line transformer serving your house
and poses an electrocution hazard for utility workers and for your
neighbors who may not know the voltage is present in the line. In any
case, your home generator most certainly will be overloaded by your
neighbors' loads in the disconnected local portion of the grid or
damaged if power is restored while it is backfeeding.
The standard U.S. household electrical service is 120/240 volt single
phase. It normally has two black "hot" wires and white grounded neutral.
The nominal voltage between each line and neutral is 120 VAC and between
two lines is 240 VAC. Note that both lines still belong to a single
phase- they are obtained by grounding the centertap of the utility
transformer. For such a system a generator transfer switch should be
double pole double throw (DPDT) "break before make". Double throw means
you can place or throw it into two positions (off position is not
counted). Double pole means it transfers both line wires (poles). The
neutral is normally continuous and does not have to be switched unless
your genset is equipped with a GFCI. "Break before make" means it
disconnects load from one source before connecting it to another one.
Older 2-wire 120 volt residential systems require a single-pole double
throw switch. Likewise, a three-phase generator would need a three-pole
device. The TS generally should be installed within 2 feet of the main
distribution panel and 30 feet of your genset inlet box.
Normally an electrical transfer switch for home generator has three
positions: LINE, OFF and GEN. When switching between LINE and GEN, it
always passes through the OFF position. Such break prevents arcing or
short circuits during the transition. If power rating of your genset is
not sufficient to power the entire house, you may install an additional
distribution panel (a subpanel) and hook up the essential lines your
want to backup to this panel. This sub-panel will then be wired to the
transfer switch. Many commercially available TS come already with a
pre-wired panel.
One last question - until the next one; If we simply use extension cords, I need to ground the generator, right? The generator does have a ground lug that needs to be taken to an earth ground rod.
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