Generator Panel VS Interlock Kit | Jesse Kuhlman

[@Pk3_Garage]

We chose a six and ten circuit manual transfer switch, to connect our generator and power station to the house. Here are my thoughts on the two options, that a lot of people don't talk about when comparing. Interlock Switch Pros: 1) Cost less. (Switch ($70), watts meter ($90) and inlet box ($60) Total $220) 2) Can choose any circuits to power on/off. 3) NEC compliant and UL listed. 4) DIY project. Cons: 1) Main breaker has to be off. 2) All individual breakers need to be turned off before switching over to generator power. 3) Potential to back feed the main power lines. 4) Harder to balance both legs of generator. 5) Have to modify main control panel box. 6) Have to install a double poll 30- or 50-AMP breaker. 7) Might have to pay an electrician to install. Transfer Switch Pros: 1) Cost more but can buy a kit which includes everything you need to install. (Transfer switch prewired, conduit, power intel box and power cord $300-$440) 2) Easier to manage power load. 3) Easier to balance leg loads. 4) Some switches come with a standard circuit breaker for each circuit. 5) Each circuit is isolated from utility or generator power. 6) Impossible to back feed either utility or generator power. 7) When power is restored, you'll know it by whatever circuits not included in the transfer switch. 8) No need to switch off/on any breakers in the main control panel when switching between "Gen" and "Utility" power. 9) NEC compliant and UL listed. 10) Can switch to generator power, while utility power is still powering your house. 11) Can have 10 individual circuits or 5 double poll circuits. (Only one can be a 30amp double poll) 12) Idiot proof. 13) DIY project, but more involved. 14) Comes with watts meters. Cons: 1) Can be costly 2) Limited to the same 10 circuits you choose. 3) Might have to pay an electrician to install.

[@kuhlmanelectric]

Hi PK, i largely agree with your assessment. One thing i will make note of - if the interlock kit was installed properly, there is no way to back feed the grid on the generator power. You have to turn OFF the main breaker to turn ON the generator back feed breaker. I think they are both good options. We install both and leave it up to the customers.

[@billybassman21]

Had a 4 circuit panel with my old generator setup. When I upgraded I was going to get a bigger generator panel to cover more circuits, but the interlock just made way more sense. I power the whole house, every circuit including HVAC with a 10k generator converted to natural gas. A panel is just way more complicated than it needs to be. Just get a big enough generator to power everything and the money saved going with the interlock can go for a bigger generator. If an all electric home you of course may have to turn off some big loads with an interlock. Having all gas makes it much easier.

[@kuhlmanelectric]

Hi Billy, i agree! Even if the generator can't power the whole house, it's not too hard to turn off the heavy loads (or not use them!) like electric range etc.

[@texasproud975]

Good info, I prefer the interlock set up as well, works flawlessly. Could you do a video about the power back module?

[@kuhlmanelectric]

Hey Texas. Thanks for the comment - yes i'll put that on the future agenda.

[@vince6829]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@kuhlmanelectric]

Thanks for watching Vince!

[@tyronemosley3352]

My main breaker is outside can I just turn it off outside and use generator outlet

[@kuhlmanelectric]

Hey thanks for the comment. No that is not code compliant. Someone could inadvertently turn the outside breaker back on while the generator is running - this is why an interlock kit is needed to prevent this from happening. Some panels have a space to add another main breaker - i would check your panel and see if this is an option, once added you can install the interlock kit.

[@THEL0G1CAL1]

The only other con for the interlock is if you are in a remote area and have no neighbors or street lights, you have no way of knowing when the power is restored. Then again, probably not that big of an issue with power companies notifying customers via text these days, unless your cell service is down also.

[@kuhlmanelectric]

Good comment! There are power back alarm systems which are inexpensive. They buzz when power is restored - we install these all the time.

[@kevinvanderlei3271]

Appreciate the video, thank you!

[@kuhlmanelectric]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@backpackerx]

One thing nobody mentions as a con to an interlock kit is that you often won’t know when the main power comes back on because you’ve turned off the main breaker. You’ll be looking at your neighbors frequently to see if their lights are on if you even have close neighbors. At night you may be out of luck with that method and be running a generator all night (and refueling) unnecessarily. They make power alert alarms for this but they are finicky and don’t work well if your main feeds are too close. With a Transfer switch all your non-connected circuits come back on when power returns so you have an automatic notification and can turn off your generator. At night I’ve turned my bedroom lights circuit off the transfer switch and then flipped on the light switch so I’m awakened if the Main power comes back over night. Just one other thing to consider.

[@kuhlmanelectric]

That is a great point! We do install power back alarms on our interlock kit installs and they seem to work well.

[@backpackerx]

@@kuhlmanelectric Do you have a recommended brand of power back on alarm? I’m about to install either an interlock or a transfer switch in my second home in the next week or so.

[@kuhlmanelectric]

We have good luck with this unit - Reliance Controls THP108 EMW3561925. You can find it on Amazon.

[@backpackerx]

@@kuhlmanelectric thanks so much.

[@neilbrookins8428]

@@backpackerx I have the model shown above from reliance. It works perfectly and is loud enough to let me know anywhere in the house. It’s as loud as a smoke alarm siren

[@paulmarvin2675]

Can power feed back through the neutral to the pole if installed correctly?

[@kuhlmanelectric]

The neutral current will go back to it's source, which would be the generator.

[@Geoonthegrind]

Do you have a portable generator you recommend?

[@kuhlmanelectric]

Hey thanks for the reply. I personally have a westinghouse dual fuel 9500DF unit. We have many customers with these units as well, all have said good things. So i can recommend it. Either way, i would get a DF unit to have the option for the propane.

[@Geoonthegrind]

@@kuhlmanelectric I went with the Westinghouse. Thank you

[@neilbrookins8428]

I added watt meters to my interlock setup because I saw meters on transfer switch and thought it was a good idea.

[@neilbrookins8428]

I bought my interlock from the panel manufacturer directly instead of going third party. That way I just swapped the entire cover and didn’t need to drill any holes.

[@kuhlmanelectric]

Great idea! Some brands sell an interlock kit that is a direct fit into their panel cover.