Posted: 9/23/2017 7:46:55 PM EDT
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This was inspired by this thread: https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/Someone-school-me-on-backfeeding-or-pig-tailing-a-generator-back-into-the-house-/5-2032540/
If you can make it through all the ridiculous pages of purse swinging.... there was some good info in there, and it got me off my butt to do this. Thanks to the contributors there. I have a Champion 3100W Gas/Propane generator that I bought specifically just to have just in case. Power outages are not typical in Dallas, Texas. I have a Square D QO style breaker panel, and wanted to do a safe panel feed. Here is what I bought: $51 - Inlet box 30 amp - http://a.co/dL7xPtE $51 - Interlock for SquareD QO panel - http://a.co/dC0yn0g $27 - Wire for breaker to inlet box - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-15-ft-10-3-Solid-Romex-SIMpull-CU-NM-B-W-G-Wire-63948427/202525532 $16 - 30 amp Breaker for backfeed - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D-QO-30-Amp-Two-Pole-Circuit-Breaker-QO230CP/100022140 ------------------------------------- $145 This is all you need for the base install. Then - you need a cord for your generator, and optionally an adapter for the inlet box to your cord type. My generator has RV 120v 30 amp output, so I chose an RV cord and an adapter that bridges the two hots on the inlet together to power both sides of my panel: $40 - 50 foot RV extension cord - http://a.co/8eRehRj $45 - RV to L-1430R bridged adapter - http://a.co/0awn1BK ------------------------------------- $85 Before: 
The stuff: 
I needed to move some circuits around to get room for this position and a 220v breaker. Luckily I found out in that thread QO breakers allow two conductors per breaker, so that made life easy for me. 
Installed the 30amp 220v backfeed breaker: 
Then wired it up. Using 10/3 wire and pulling to my location for the generator inlet. 
Next, on the interlock kit, you install a bracket to warn people about this "special breaker" if the panel is open: 
Drill some holes using the provided template with the interlock kit: 
Then install the interlock with the provided screws: 
Hooked up: 
House is running on gen power, with both sides of the panel hot with 120v, using the bridge in the adapter above. 
I have a milk crate to store the cord and all the generator accessories, so its all ready to go in one place: 
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You could have used this dedicated transfer switch for less money.
Generac |
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Not really.
That transfer switch handles 6 circuits (as sold) for $226. You need to supply a 60 amp breaker from your main box to feed this. You still need a cord, and a bridged adapter to feed a 120v only generator (like mine) into this panel. So a correct comparison would be: My solution: Interlock, Inlet box, wire, breaker = $145. versus yours: Generac transfer switch + 60 amp breaker = $248. If you want your inlet box outside the house, you have to buy that seperate, so another $51 (inlet) + $27 (wire) added to that, making your recommendation $326. Transfer switch has 6 circuits (could be 10 with added costs) yet my breaker panel has 26 120v circuits that I can pick and choose from. @DamascusKnifemaker - Doing your recommendation would cost more than twice as much. |
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Quoted:
Looks good. Is there a similar setup for 220? I dont have a 240V generator, so I use the adapter to bridge the two hot legs, which provides 110 to both legs of the panel, and I keep my 240v breakers off. If I had a 240V generator, all I'd need is a cord, hook it up, and done. However, if I was going to go 240V route, I'd use a bigger generator, and use the 50amp inlet, breaker, and properly sized wire. |
Nice. Working on gathering my own parts as well. Having my electrician remove the tamper tag and meter to replace my main 2 x 6", 100amp breaker with a 2 x 3" without an issue to open some space for the inlet breaker is where I am.. Have the new inlet breaker, waiting on the 100a main breaker (Monday). Once I have that done I will order the inlet box, interlock, and accessories. No point in spending the money until you need to. 
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Quoted:
I know I should do that. But I have some anxiety about it. Thank you very much for this post...  Installing mechanical interlock for portable generator for house |
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Bought the whole Inlet box/transfer switch/cable kit for $100 from a guy on Craigslist that made a lot of repetitive movements..(arfcom later told me it was meth) ..Sold the 6 outlet transfer switch because I had a well and that took 2 outlets right there. Paid $100 to a moonlighting electrician to hook up inlet box, power cable and $65 interlock ..paid something like $150 for 8.5 kw generator bought at online auction. Paid $95 for Motorsnorkel when they were offering arfcommers a deal ..
now I just have to figure out a way to run NG to the driveway |
| Good work OP! That bridge adapter is a must have for people already wired for a normal 30 amp 240V inlet to the panel, makes having a second more efficient generator with a dedicated 30 amp 120V RV outlet a viable solution for longer run times when the big unit isn't needed. |
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Only thing I want to know is how do you cut power to the breaker/haus? I have a 200 amp disconnect at my meter so I can kill the power before it gets to the main breaker on my 200 amp panel. Makes working on my main panel very safe. |
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I’ve always wondered why more people don’t just use an external transfer switch to switch everything from utility to generator? A 100 amp manual transfer switch isn’t very expensive and then you’re done.
ETA: Not picking at you OP, your setup will work just fine and with the interlock you’re good. Just wondering. |
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Got a pic of the bridge wire inside the pigtail? Edit : Nevermind, I see you bought an already bridged pigtail. |
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I’ve always wondered why more people don’t just use an external transfer switch to switch everything from utility to generator? A 100 amp manual transfer switch isn’t very expensive and then you’re done. ETA: Not picking at you OP, your setup will work just fine and with the interlock you’re good. Just wondering. For the record I have a 200 Amp Automatic switch in the attic. The cost issue aside, I'd have to install it next to the breaker box outside of my fence which is not ideal. So any kid could mess with it. Then I'd have to run a cord around the house if I wanted to keep the gens in the backyard. Point being it could be any number of reasons to do this. Cost being part of it or logistics. |
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https://www.ar15.com/forums/outdoors/Back_feeding_your_panel_using_an_interlock__project_AAR_w__pics/17-651376/
My thread on the same topic. You'll need the chrome add on to see the photobucket pics. Nice work, op |
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Why do people not use the QO2DTI for the QO panels?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00PSMTCWW/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new No fuss, no muss and it's rated by the manufacturer, used in some of their panels and is at least $30.00 less expensive than the one in this thread when purchased at an electrical store. The following is the manufacturer's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSV0sFWYLME Good job OP! |
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This is a 220V setup. I dont have a 220V generator, so I use the adapter to bridge the two hot legs, which provides 110 to both legs of the panel, and I keep my 220v breakers off. If I had a 220V generator, all I'd need is a cord, hook it up, and done. However, if I was going to go 220V route, I'd use a bigger generator, and use the 50amp inlet, breaker, and properly sized wire. Quoted:
Quoted:
Looks good. Is there a similar setup for 220? I dont have a 220V generator, so I use the adapter to bridge the two hot legs, which provides 110 to both legs of the panel, and I keep my 220v breakers off. If I had a 220V generator, all I'd need is a cord, hook it up, and done. However, if I was going to go 220V route, I'd use a bigger generator, and use the 50amp inlet, breaker, and properly sized wire. ...and it's 240v, not 220v |
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@sparky923 - Explain how that is energized? |
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Why do people not use the QO2DTI for the QO panels? https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00PSMTCWW/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new No fuss, no muss and it's rated by the manufacturer, used in some of their panels and is at least $30.00 less expensive than the one in this thread when purchased at an electrical store. The following is the manufacturer's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSV0sFWYLME Good job OP! His main breaker is a couple inches above his gen. back feed breaker. Great job OP! |