Posted: 11/14/2009 8:43:13 PM EDT
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I've recently bought a 6kW 220V 30 amp generator.
I've been looking for transfer switches and this one catches my eye. 
My problem is that I have two 50 amp breakers (1 for the stove and 1 for the dryer, each has a 20 amp and 30 amp tied together) then the rest of the breakers are 20 amp ones. Am I correct in assuming that the above transfer switch won't work for me? This model has six 15 amp breakers and four 20 amp breakers. I didn't plan on running the electric range or dryer during an outage so it's kind of a moot point that those two 50 amp breakers for the house don't match the transfer panel. My bigger concern is all the 20 amp breakers for the house not matching the 15 amp breakers on the transfer switch. I could use 4 of the 20 amp breakers in that 10 circuit panel but then I'm wasting 6 circuits. Do I have to buy the transfer switch then change out the six 15 amp breakers and just make sure I keep the internal wiring straight? An interlock kit is pretty much out of the question since I'll have to hire someone to upgrade the load center; first to accommodate a generator breaker and second to accept an interlock device. |
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Quoted:
I've recently bought a 6kW 220V 30 amp generator. I've been looking for transfer switches and this one catches my eye. http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/images/R30310B_200.jpg My problem is that I have two 50 amp breakers (1 for the stove and 1 for the dryer, each has a 20 amp and 30 amp tied together) then the rest of the breakers are 20 amp ones. Am I correct in assuming that the above transfer switch won't work for me? This model has six 15 amp breakers and four 20 amp breakers. I didn't plan on running the electric range or dryer during an outage so it's kind of a moot point that those two 50 amp breakers for the house don't match the transfer panel. My bigger concern is all the 20 amp breakers for the house not matching the 15 amp breakers on the transfer switch. I could use 4 of the 20 amp breakers in that 10 circuit panel but then I'm wasting 6 circuits. Do I have to buy the transfer switch then change out the six 15 amp breakers and just make sure I keep the internal wiring straight? An interlock kit is pretty much out of the question since I'll have to hire someone to upgrade the load center; first to accommodate a generator breaker and second to accept an interlock device. Thats a pretty scary thing. Normally these would be a 2 pole device, not 2 breakers tied together. Are these tied in parallel? A fairly dangerous thing to do if they are. Most homes these days are built with 20A circuits, just because it is simpler, plus some circuits are required by code to be on 20A circuits. If the transfer switch uses standard type breakers, you can get 20A replacements for the 15A breakers for about $10 each. |
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I would look at what is on each circuit. If the max load is going to be less than 15 amps, then i would use the transfer 15 amp breakers.
having 20 amp breakers in the house just means the wiring and breaker are good to 20 amps, not that what is on the circuit needs more than 15 amps. Unless you have a freezer, hot tub, furnace, whole house AC, multiple room ACs, or other high power devices on those 20 amp breakers, you should be fine with 15 amp breakers on your transfer switch. You said you have a 6kw genset. That is only going to produce a max of 50 amps at 120 volts. you need to look at what is on each circuit, to see if you can use 15 amp breakers in the transfer switch. My guess is that it won't be a problem Use the 20 amp breakers for the higher load circuits and use the 15 amp breakers for the lower load circuits. You are going to have to figure what load is on each circuit anyway because you may not be able to run the whole house off a 6kw genset without managing what transfer switches are on and off. the ones with power meters come in handy for that. ETA: I see the one you have picked out has power meters. |
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If the transfer switch uses standard type breakers, you can get 20A replacements for the 15A breakers for about $10 each.
Nope nope....it is about the wires, 15 amp are 14g wire, 20 amp are 12 g wire, you want the breaker to be the weak spot, so it trips, if the wire is the weak spot it melts....then a fire or at least expensive repairs. Also you would be against code, you have a fire and they find 20 amp breakers witha 15 amp circuit...no insurance. |
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I've been looking at this too.
In my situation, the main 200 amp panel is on an outbuilding. A transfer switch doesn't seem feasible, as the circuit to the house is more than 20A. hooking directly to the house is no good, as I need to power devices in the outbuildings. I'm leaning towards the interlock option. I am somewhat good with electrical stuff... just debating if I date attempt installation myself. |
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At 6K I'd go for the simple H switch at the depot for$106.
This is the cheapest and most foolproof system you can have. 
It will allow you to pic and choose Any circuit and you could use a burner or two on your range . 
You could even make electric hot water one thing at a time of course. |
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Quoted:
I've recently bought a 6kW 220V 30 amp generator. My problem is that I have two 50 amp breakers (1 for the stove and 1 for the dryer, each has a 20 amp and 30 amp tied together) then the rest of the breakers are 20 amp ones. OK lets think about this again And do you know about starting starting amps (a surge ) The extra amps something draws to make it start running, like a Dryer Oh and a few hints average kW usage Dryer 5.5 kW Stove Oven 5 kW Range Top burner (1) 1.5 kW And you have a 6 kW Gen And as you start to flame me I am a Field Service Tech I work on Standby Gens for a living and those numbers can out of my book that I got while at school for these things |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I've recently bought a 6kW 220V 30 amp generator. My problem is that I have two 50 amp breakers (1 for the stove and 1 for the dryer, each has a 20 amp and 30 amp tied together) then the rest of the breakers are 20 amp ones. OK lets think about this again And do you know about starting starting amps (a surge ) The extra amps something draws to make it start running, like a Dryer Oh and a few hints average kW usage Dryer 5.5 kW Stove Oven 5 kW Range Top burner (1) 1.5 kW And you have a 6 kW Gen And as you start to flame me I am a Field Service Tech I work on Standby Gens for a living and those numbers can out of my book that I got while at school for these things How would I go about flaming you? I'm a molecular biologist. I don't work on home wiring for a living, I completely admit I'm not an expert. I took physics 2210 and 2220 when I was 17 (9 years ago) and concurrently enrolled in high school and college, that's where I learned the basics about electrical circuits. Forgive me if my explanations aren't professional cohort level. I've read the transfer switch install instructions and watched videos. It looks simple enough and the connections make logical sense. I've already done some wiring in my new house and haven't killed myself so I'm confident I can install a transfer switch. I don't plan to run the stove or dryer from the generator so the surge power for them is a moot point. I simply included them because the set-up that I'm seeing at my load center doesn't make sense. As a result I'm having an electrician take a look at my 220 circuits. From what I've been told connecting a 15 amp breaker in the transfer switch to a 20 amp breaker in the load center is fine. I was told that will over protect the circuit for me. I was told to hook the higher draw circuits (refrigerator, freezer, furnace blower, etc) to the four 20 amp breakers then use the six 15 amp breakers to power lighting circuits. I don't have any 20 amp outlets in the house (none of my outlets have a T on them) so I don't know why my load center had 20 amp breakers protecting the circuits (had I wired the house I would have figured if there are 15 amp outlets then I'd use a 15 amp breaker). I want to make sure that a transfer switch 15 amp breaker wired to a load center 20 amp breaker is a safe/NEC code compliant connection to make. I have a natural gas water heater, a gas furnace, and a gas fireplace so by my calculations I can live quite comfortably off of a 6kW generator. I should be able to activate the breakers to run my furnace, fridge, freezer all at the same time. I'm good about turning off lights I'm not using so going with a 6kW generator for $599 delivered was an easy choice. I should be able to activate every breaker on the switch and be able to utilize ~75% of my home just fine during a power outage. |