Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
How to use a generator transfer switch?
Hello,
I recently moved into a house that is equipped with a generator transfer switch for power outages. I want to make sure I know how to safely use it.
The setup is as follows: The main house circuit panel is in the basement. Next to it is the transfer panel which has 6 circuits (well pump, furnace, fridge, various outlets). Each one of these circuits has a three position switch: Generator, Off, Line. In the normal conditions, the circuits are all turned to "line." Then, there is a 220 power cord that can run from the transfer switch to lawn so that you can hookup the portable generator.
The previous owner said that all I have to do is startup the generator, run the power cord to the trasfer switch, and flip the circuits to "generator."
I was always under the impression that you had to flip the main house breaker to isolate the house from the grid to protect utility workers? Is this true?
I just want to make sure I've got the procedure down right before I have to use it.
Thanks,
3 Answers
- ?Lv 75 years agoFavorite Answer
The three position switches do the disconnect from the grid (if properly installed) and when the power comes back on, the rest of your house will light up and the transferred items will keep on on the generator (useful if power is flickering off and on.) You/someone will have to manually set the switches to line and turn off the generator before it runs out of fuel.
Agree that having a pro check is a good idea.
A more expensive choice would be an automatic start permanently installed generator and a transfer panel that does the switch over by the generator power.
- oil field trashLv 75 years ago
What the previous home owner described is perfectly safe if you want to put the items connected to transfer switch onto the generator. This is because when you move the transfer switch to "generator" it will disconnect from the power grid and then connect to the generator.
I do agree that it is a good idea to have an electrician look at the system and be sure you know exactly what to do.
- ?Lv 75 years ago
It is a cheap made manual system rather than the automatic kick in to the spare power source from generator. As the main switch is on Generator, house main power also switch from main grid into generator power.
