Gentran type transfer panel.

[remillard]

If you install a Gentran type transfer panel and once you hook up the generator to it for temporary power, do you realize that during this hook up you now lost AFCI protection and GFCI protection to your circuits. What do you recommend for a solution?

 

[hurk27]

Don't use a gentran type panel, use a regular main lug panel with two side by side double pole breakers with a interlock between them that you can move your AFCI's and GFCI's over to it.

Another reason why a whole house generator system can be close to the same price as trying to do only a few loads.

 

[ceb58]

If you are talking about the type with the branch circuit breakers in them just change the beaker to AFCI or GFCI. I think most carry C-H breakers.

 

[hillbilly1]

If it's like what I'm thinking of, the breakers are pushbutton type, with a rocker switch to change each circuit from utility to generator. (Or maybe it's Conneticut Electric I'm thinking of) Like others have posted, your better off using a handle tie switch with a sub panel since the pushbutton breakers are not capable of being changed out.

 

[Little Bill]

So an ATS would be useless if you were needing to keep the GFCI/AFCI protection? That is unless you had a panel set up with them for the generator.

 

[highvolts582]

How I hook a portable Generator

How I hook a portable Generator

I buy 1 Cutler Hammer CH 100 amp main lug Panel board (normal item).
I buy the special separate interlock cover for this panel (normal sometimes order).
I feed a 100 amp or less breaker from existing main panel and install the same size breaker at the bottom of the cutler panel
I install a 30 amp 3 wire feed from generator panel to power inlet box outside and install 30 amp breaker adjacent to main in generator
panel at the bottom.
provide a ground to the ground rods for the generator.
and install any breakers I want within reason into the generator panel arc faults and Gfi breakers should be fine. have not tried it though.

I hate pre-made generator panels. I like normal stuff.

Note. my grandpas dishwasher circuit board blew out from running it on a generator During Hurricane Irene outage. so warn people about dirty power issues. The only way to clean the power before it gets to something expensive that plugs in is to use an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) .

 

[hurk27]

I buy 1 Cutler Hammer CH 100 amp main lug Panel board (normal item).
I buy the special separate interlock cover for this panel (normal sometimes order).
I feed a 100 amp or less breaker from existing main panel and install the same size breaker at the bottom of the cutler panel
I install a 30 amp 3 wire feed from generator panel to power inlet box outside and install 30 amp breaker adjacent to main in generator
panel at the bottom.
provide a ground to the ground rods for the generator.
and install any breakers I want within reason into the generator panel arc faults and Gfi breakers should be fine. have not tried it though.

I hate pre-made generator panels. I like normal stuff.

Note. my grandpas dishwasher circuit board blew out from running it on a generator During Hurricane Irene outage. so warn people about dirty power issues. The only way to clean the power before it gets to something expensive that plugs in is to use an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) .

The only problem is the new requirement for all receptacles on portable generators to be GFCI protected, there is no way to get around this except using a 3 pole transfer switch that transfers the neutral, otherwise the GFCI protection in the generator will detect the neutral to ground bond in the service panel and treat it as a ground fault, another reason I try to up sell a whole house generator with a ATS.

 

[highvolts582]

The only problem is the new requirement for all receptacles on portable generators to be GFCI protected, there is no way to get around this except using a 3 pole transfer switch that transfers the neutral, otherwise the GFCI protection in the generator will detect the neutral to ground bond in the service panel and treat it as a ground fault, another reason I try to up sell a whole house generator with a ATS.

Even the 30 amp twist locks on the the portable generator? I have not used a transfer switch for a generator yet. unless it was a built in generator. Am I doing it wrong? I have always used the interlock panel and that is it.

 

[hillbilly1]

Even the 30 amp twist locks on the the portable generator? I have not used a transfer switch for a generator yet. unless it was a built in generator. Am I doing it wrong? I have always used the interlock panel and that is it.

The interlock panel is your transfer switch, so you have used a transfer switch, and yes I have seen the new generators with GFCI protection on the 30 amp twistlock too.

 

[EZ Generator Switch]

Generators

Generators

IMO...generators having GFCI are just creating an issue with what is already installed in the home. Using a 30amp connection outside to feed a panel such as Connecticut Electric 10 circuit panel (by the way they no longer make transfer panels.) always worked perfect...never had a recall. I really use to love the code and I understand the safety...we have all seen great improvements no question but it sure seems like it's never enough...all about the dollar???