Standby Genset Q's

[RFB]

Standby Genset Q\'s

Here is the background information:

The house has a service (meter) and the garage and pumphouse are on another service separate from the house.(This meter is on a 6x6 post fairly close to the tformer, and power from this meter goes to the garage and pump-house) Both services come from a single surface mount (underground lines) transformer, with individual service going to each of the two meters. Changing from two meters to one is not practical from either a money or a utilitarian sense. I would have to tear up concrete over in-ground lines to pull the garage/pump-house service back to the house, and the two separate services were designed that way for a reason. (We live VERY rural; no real fire protection except for self. With two meters, in the event of a house fire I can cut-off all residence power and still have water to fight the fire.)

The planned location for the genset is on a semi-enclosed pad next to a proposed new building (combination machine-shed/wood-shed/storage room). I will have to run (underground) lines from the genset to the house, as well as the aforementioned second service meter.

I have a drawing of the layout on attached (pdf)

Question #1 (Once I answer this, there will likely be more)

Where is the best place/required place to place the ATS, and will I need two of them, or one?

 

[vetteman]

Re: Standby Genset Q\'s

Why not do away with meter to garage and pumphouse and put a new sevice to pumphose and garage using house service then set genset to house sevice, then genset runs everything.

 

[RFB]

Re: Standby Genset Q\'s

from the initial post: "Changing from two meters to one is not practical from either a money or a utilitarian sense. I would have to tear up concrete over in-ground lines to pull the garage/pump-house service back to the house, and the two separate services were designed that way for a reason. (We live VERY rural; no real fire protection except for self. With two meters, in the event of a house fire I can cut-off all residence power and still have water to fight the fire.)"

Also, just for elaboration, all power is presently underground, and will continue to be with the new setup.

 

[ronjhall]

Re: Standby Genset Q\'s

<font color="blue"> We live VERY rural; no real fire protection except for self. With two meters, in the event of a house fire I can cut-off all residence power and still have water to fight the fire </font> /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I have never heard of this as a requirement for needing 2 meter. Why not have a disconnect in place of one of the meters.
When I installed a Generator and ATS for my place. I had several different configurations quoted to me. Went with a 200 amp transfer switch and a single generator. Each of my three out buildings has a separate disconnect.
Your requirements of 2 meters and no wiring changes would require 2 Generators and 2 ATS. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[reb]

Re: Standby Genset Q\'s

[Your requirements of 2 meters and no wiring changes would require 2 Generators and 2 ATS.]

I think he could do it with one generator, but the wiring, trenching, etc. might be about the same if he eliminated one meter, as suggested.

 

[SnoFalls]

Re: Standby Genset Q\'s

I have a VERY similar situation ... house on one meter, garage/well on another.

I currently have one small generator I use for the house, wired in an xfer switch. But I have nothing for my well, which is really only a problem for extended outages (a pressure tank will hold enough for 1-2 days if usage is limited).

I expect I'll get a larger generator for the house someday, and then just move the smaller one down for running the well if/when needed.

You may find a similar solution is doable ... doing a second generator just for the well is easier/cheaper than getting one single generator to function for your situation.

 

[RFB]

Re: Standby Genset Q\'s

Ron,

It was not a requirement. The garage/pump-house pre-dated the residence, and it was more cost effective (at that time and no genset in sight) to do a two service install.

So let me see if I comprehend your suggestion:

Consolidate both services with a single meter (mabe on a post near the tformer), and run gen power to that location, add the ATS (on the post), and then connect into existing feeds to disconnects at all buildings?

 

[ronjhall]

Re: Standby Genset Q\'s

That's a start. I'm sure others may have different ideas. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[midlf]

Re: Standby Genset Q\'s

With 2 meters you will need two transfer switches. Whether you will need two generators will depend on how your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (i.e. the electrical inspector) interprets the rules on separately derived sources.