3-Point Hitch PTO Generator arrived today

[SteveM70]

It sound's like break the connection to the grid then make the connection to your genny.
That's how my manual transfer switch works. It's a guillotine or knife (terminology?) type switch that in one spring assisted motion disconnects one source and drops into the other, never the 2 (sources) shall meet. Not super expensive, $400 in a weather proof outside enclosure.

Yep. Basically breakers can fail (weld closed or even build up enough carbon for electricity to track through, and folks forget to trip them) but the knife switch is a fail safe since it's not possible for the power from the utilities and the generator to meet.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Yep. Basically breakers can fail (weld closed or even build up enough carbon for electricity to track through, and folks forget to trip them) but the knife switch is a fail safe since it's not possible for the power from the utilities and the generator to meet.

This makes sense! I always wondered what the issue was with using breakers.

 

[fried1765]

It sound's like break the connection to the grid then make the connection to your genny.
That's how my manual transfer switch works. It's a guillotine or knife (terminology?) type switch that in one spring assisted motion disconnects one source and drops into the other, never the 2 (sources) shall meet. Not super expensive, $400 in a weather proof outside enclosure.

When the main service entrance breaker (200A?) is opened (manually) there is absolutely no way for current to back feed through the utility lines;
Current can then be fed from the generator to the other breakers in the panel, through any available closed breaker with suitable amperage rating.

 

[grsthegreat]

You know, a manual transfer interlock kit costs about $89.00 online, takes 20minutes to install. I cant believe i wasted that much time reading thru this thread.

 

[pmsmechanic]

When the main service entrance breaker (200A?) is opened (manually) there is absolutely no way for current to back feed through the utility lines;
Current can then be fed from the generator to the other breakers in the panel, through any available closed breaker with suitable amperage rating.

If this is true then why isn't this method universally accepted as meeting code? As far as I'm aware of in Alberta it doesn't fulfill code requirements.

I'm just going to add that for the above method to meet code there needs to be an interlock between the two breakers so that only one can be on at a time.

 

[fried1765]

You know, a manual transfer interlock kit costs about $89.00 online, takes 20minutes to install. I cant believe i wasted that much time reading thru this thread.

So sorry that you have wasted your time reading this thread.
Hopefully, you will be able to devote your efforts more productively in the future.

 

[fried1765]

If this is true then why isn't this method universally accepted as meeting code? As far as I'm aware of in Alberta it doesn't fulfill code requirements.

I'm just going to add that for the above method to meet code there needs to be an interlock between the two breakers so that only one can be on at a time.

Perhaps there is a more straightforward way to put this. There needs to be a human body, with a usable head on it, that is not up and locked.
"Code" is often written only to protect people from their own stupidity.
This being one of those issues.

 

[Rustyiron]

When the main service entrance breaker (200A?) is opened (manually) there is absolutely no way for current to back feed through the utility lines;
Current can then be fed from the generator to the other breakers in the panel, through any available closed breaker with suitable amperage rating.

I wasn't arguing your point, just explaining my interpretation of buick& deere's "break before make" saying. I had never heard that before and your response mentioned "breaker" over just break, I thought you mis understood him.
I am not a code freak, I throw out shop & exterior GFI receptacles once inspected but chose to go with the proper transfer switch for my set up. I also have a 30k generator. Back feeding is a little different with that big of a spoon.:thumbsup:

 

[buickanddeere]

What is that supposed to mean?
Sure....tell me why "all the power utilities mandate the use of a breaker before make transfer switch"

If you don稚 understand by now . One more explanation is not going to make any difference .

 

[buickanddeere]

When the main service entrance breaker (200A?) is opened (manually) there is absolutely no way for current to back feed through the utility lines;
Current can then be fed from the generator to the other breakers in the panel, through any available closed breaker with suitable amperage rating.

You still are not understanding this . There has to be a fail safe switch to prevent interconnection of the separately derived power supply and the utility

 

[buickanddeere]

Who are these laymen that think they are smarter than utility engineers , code inspectors and linemen ?

 

[SteveM70]

If you don稚 understand by now . One more explanation is not going to make any difference .

Just what I meant earlier when I stated the answer to your question "should" end this debate but I doubt it will.

Ol' well. I'm just glad I no longer work on high voltage because these folks who "ain't stupid" are a real danger to those that do.

It's not usually stupidity that gets someone killed. It's a failed piece of equipment or a brain fart moment that lead to most disasters and ANYONE and EVERYONE suffers from both.

 

[fried1765]

You still are not understanding this . There has to be a fail safe switch to prevent interconnection of the separately derived power supply and the utility

You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!
I use the "fail safe switch" between my ears.
Do some folks not have that same type switch?

 

[LouNY]

Who are these laymen that think they are smarter than utility engineers , code inspectors and linemen ?

Most laymen can be a lot smarter then most inspectors, linemen and utility engineers are pretty narrow fields and many of them couldn't wire up a 3 way switch.
And you can be a royal opinionated pain, and I hope you realize that everyone has an opinion and they all stink except mine.

 

[SteveM70]

Most laymen can be a lot smarter then most inspectors, linemen and utility engineers are pretty narrow fields and many of them couldn't wire up a 3 way switch.
And you can be a royal opinionated pain, and I hope you realize that everyone has an opinion and they all stink except mine.

How many linemen couldn't wire up a three way switch? 20 percent? 60 percent?.....

Allot

Than

 

[SteveM70]

You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!
I use the "fail safe switch" between my ears.
Do some folks do not have that same type switch?

"Do some folks do not" lol I guess the fail safe between your ears ain't working so good today.

 

[fried1765]

"Do some folks do not" lol I guess the fail safe between your ears ain't working so good today.

Oh.....thanks for the proof reading correction!
By the way: "ears ain't working so good today"..... should actually be .....ears ARE NOT working so WELL today.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones!

 

[SteveM70]

Oh.....thanks for the proof reading correction!
By the way: "ears ain't working so good today"..... should actually be .....ears ARE NOT working so WELL today.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones!

Yes! Ain't ain't a word. Very good!

My point was......well, never mind.

 

[edgarrian]

I never considered a pto driven generator. I think its odd that some think it would be a bad idea to use ur tractor considering light plants and diesel generators are used every where. In my case I'm gone for work 2 weeks a month for work so it wouldn't be feasible to have my wife hook it all up. Since having my Generac installed we have lost power a hand full of times. The latest was when I was away for work and her parents were there visiting for the weekend. Lost power I believe for a day and the generator performed great. My wife would call me and ask me if it was ok to use the oven and told her parents not to watch tv. I chuckled and said babe live like you would normally thats what its there for. Seems like they get the power up and running quickly where we live. Speaking of back feeding I have been inquiring about solar power and come to find out you have to have umbrella coverage on your insurance for a million dollars just in case this might happen. I checked the pricing of the extra insurance and for us it was 279 dollars. We haven't pulled the trigger on solar yet but I think we will next year. I think we will do 50% of our usage. I do believe that next year is the last year for tax incentive.

 

[grsthegreat]

So sorry that you have wasted your time reading this thread.
Hopefully, you will be able to devote your efforts more productively in the future.

Well, your continued child like responses to other posters responses has made me add you to my ignore list and unsubscribe from this post