Manual Transfer Switch on a Home

Today we are looking at a manual transfer switch for a brand new home in Colorado. We get several questions about certain transfer switches sold online so allow us to answer them and talk about the switches we prefer.
petersonelectr... -
DISCLAIMER: This video is not a DIY electrical tutorial. If you need electric work done In your home please contact a qualified professional.
Video date: November 3, 2021

[@PPyle]

"Hopefully if you have any questions, you can figure it out, thanks" Love It!

[@ocko8011]

We had a whole house double throw manual transfer switch installed back 2014. It's literally saved our bacon on numerous occasions. As the description implies we can switch our entire main service panel from metered power to a generator. For those considering a whole house transfer switch, please use a licensed electrician in your state, anytime the service meter (or any electrical work for most) is involved, it is not a DIY project. Also learn about how to safely operate a generator and transfer switch. Keep up these great videos, we have missed you!

[@JasonEDragon]

Labeling circuits is good, but using a printer instead of a Sharpie would be an improvement. Circuits can change over the life of the house and printing out a new label is neater than crossing writing out.

[@jfbeam]

Not just that. It's an ugly practice. I know he has a label maker in those 24 years.

[@robertt9342]

I can testify to the changing circuits. My house had electrician do the same with a previous owner, I know, I asked to verify and the circuits do not match.

[@FreeAmerican-mm2my]

Labels never fall off. If the use changes, you could put a label on then.

[@eliamotujr.8256]

100% agreed on using a separate generator back-up panel from the utility fed one.

[@oddjobz9858]

Gangster very humbling watching a great tradesmen do his work keep up all the good work greetings from upstate ny

[@jorgehuizarsr1630]

Yea Peter U tell those cabinet guys I’m with u on that all the way we got inspector’s get out of my way !!

[@robmacusa]

Thank you Josh!! As always…Awesome video!!

[@johnhershey4010]

I like the House and It's BIG!! Good job you and the kids wiring it. Keep it going on the 15 min KZbin.

[@AaronSchmid1]

Sharpie panel labels are killin me LUL

[@heroknaderi]

I enjoyed the video. Wow what a big house and alot of work.

[@dontnewyorkmyflorida]

We use lockout kits in the panel with a backfed breaker with a breaker retainer and a generator outlet outside, super simple and completely legal in Florida

[@JoseRuiz-ed5sh]

Yup interlock system is way less work and material .

[@chrisezzyk1632]

Mastermind that install bud!!👊👊

[@tfun101]

Awesome Peterson. These videos are badass. I’m a new journeyman and I’m out doing side jobs..lights, plugs, fans, minisplits, nothing this big but hopefully one day I’ll get there. I had a guy that wanted a generator hooked up with an automatic transfer switch and I had to pass bc I just didn’t know wtf to do lol.

[@joejoe6949]

Your a journeyman and you have not done big job where are you from. This is a house not big at all.

[@tfun101]

@@joejoe6949 Vegas my guy..and I stopped letting turds like you talk sh*t to me like that awhile ago. You got a jcard? Bc if you don’t then you’re just a handyman with an opinion.

[@chazschuck6474]

@@joejoe6949 This is a big project with unique circumstances. Not every journeyman can plan and execute a job like that.

[@WeatherNut27]

Big job for 1 guy but you made it happen! Nice work and thanks for the upload!

[@DanO181919]

Good luck with whatever siding that will go in the outside of the house. Usually hang the panel after the outside is finished. Plywood, tyvek, siding…. Then mount your panel. You went passed the rough-in and went the the finishing stage

[@BreadOvaSuckaShit]

You’re a fucking beast bro!!! I just graduated from my trade school and barely getting In The field. You’re Inspiring !

[@safaricartvideos]

A few weeks ago I installed a backfeed breaker for a gen. (before anyone gets upset, yes there is an interlock that makes you turn main off). I bought a 7500w gen. after using a 3kw with extension cords for years. Last winter in Texas we were without power for many days with temps around 0, these houses are not built (insulated) for those temps. That was the reason for buying the 7500w and connecting to panel. last weekend I did some tests with gen and amp meter and was very disappointed. Our house is all electric (no gas) which makes it even worse. I was checking current on circuits one at a time to see how much I could use at once. All the 120v circuits were pretty low but the 240v used much more than I expected (I know I should have checked labels) . I took a hot shower before doing this so hot water heater (less than 5 years old) was cranking at max I'm sure but it pulled 23 amps so that's about 5500w just from that. Clothes dryer pulled 22a, ~5300w, oven pulled 17a when temping to 350deg. and when I turned our electric heat up just one degree (trane 16i system about 4 years old) it actually stalled the motor on the gen (I was surprized it didn't trip gen. breaker instead). I guess using the central heat is out of the question. We will be able to use the other 240v appliances but only one at a time, and will need to limit portable elec. heater use when doing so. It's a champion 7500w (9300w surge) gen. but now I'm wishing I had bought a bigger one. The engine is 440cc so I'm sure it's going to use much more gas than my 3kw gen. Oh well at least no more extension cords, and we will be able to use oven, and won't need to turn everything else off when using portable heaters. I almost gave away my emergency kerosene heater when I bought the gen, glad I kept it now.

[@samuelkuntz9734]

I was also surprised at his 7500w recommendation. I'm thinking 15kw minimum and prob. 20kw. You run a water heater, oven and an electric furnace at same time, you're done.

[@eddieo9424]

Have a comment keep in mind you do not have to run washer and dryer during outage I would just operate the furnace and well pumps Good job for checking amps ,for me I would not use the fridge unless it was a extended outage . Just heat water pumps.

[@mdvener]

Been in the electoral trade for 40 years. It all looks good on paper. But wiring becomes a nightmare with stacks of 2x4's, n 2x6's. Used to work on Boca Grande Fl. A small island with multi million dollar homes for some famous people. The CEO for Dell Computers, 3 years to build at 20 million, 25 years ago. I feel your pain. I did most of the service work. Some of the houses in town have know n tube or used to. Back then electricians always fed the lights, then wired what was close. So trouble shooting meant taking a fixture down to be positive the hot, nuetral were good. Alot had no grounds. Patience was my best friend. Good luck with your home. Single story, you can get to almost everything, but those 2, 3, n 4 story homes. Really made things difficult. But I enjoyed my time. Retired, but miss a good challenge.

[@hpman2391]

U sure your not uncle Ted Nugent, look and talk like the Motor City Mad Man. Dude you ROCK.

[@guillermomaguire5394]

exactly what i was thinking....great video too.

[@eddieo9424]

Have a question I agree with the manual transfer switch for me I would pipe from the generator from my garage direct to the transfer switch, at the generator I would use a deep 1900 with a chord grip to except the 30 amp chord from the generator . My goal is to stop using extension chords to my sump pumps. So I would pipe it back to my panel Well pump Furnace Lites Fridge . So I would not put a receptical at the transfer switch. Iam not a romex electrician have 35 years in 134 . Not sure why you ran on floor in the kitchen but over all your one of the better electricians on you tube ,I pipe every thing .

[@jessemackenzie6516]

If the transfer does not break the neutral it is a NON separately derived system.

[@felixbruno8806]

👍🏼 so that extra electrode for the generator is an auxiliary electrode that is not required or regulated by the nec. And on top of that is creating a voltage gradient from one electrode to the other

[@hugohernandez4259]

Nice! I wish I'd done more residential (15yrs industrial/commercial)

[@wirewaykingelectric4978]

Great video as always!! Great clean work, but if it budget was never a factor QO would be the only way for you too! Can’t stand Siemens, never felt safe with there OCPD trip curve vs QO, plus no plug on neutral for your afci & Df breakers all the extra pig tails. Either way you do great work buddy!

[@dustina6261]

Siemens does do plug on neutrals, their entire PN/SN series panels are all plug on ready and breakers are expensively ready to go….the only real great thing they did improve is their new afci breakers are only hot wired like a plain old therm breaker. Duals are still same neutral to breaker.

[@dontnewyorkmyflorida]

We only use QO

[@MikeJones-dw1zl]

15:11 Doesn't that 3-gang have to be spaced away from the door, wont the trim get in the way of the 3-gang cover plate ?

[@8894larry]

You talked about separately derived systems. Are you switching the neutral? If so, why? You also talked about 2 ground rods & showed a ufer. So our grounding a portable generator? Please explain that!

[@Neil-ym8vy]

Yeah cabinets can be a pain. Remember having to cut out a lot of cabinets for extra receptacles after the fact ( change orders ) using fine tool or oscillator drill needed to use extensions on a few as well. Customers were from New York/New Jersey and had a lot of extra money so my boss didn't care.

[@bobclarie]

Thanks, how to hook up an emergency power transfer switch to a multiwire branch circuit, if possible . . .. Two 20A breakers with handle ties feeding the kitchen. Yes, they are sharing a common neutral. The transfer switch has four 15A circuits; each circuit has a breaker and a 3 position switch: Line - Off - Gen Thanks, Bob

[@augr3324]

Whats a rough price to install a manual transfer switch 100 amp. This includes permit and inspctions, not including materials.

[@offplanetevent]

But, but how many staples did you use?

[@Sparkeycarp]

You got some giant attic space there. Sadly eaten up by trusses. Still will be easy to move through to do extra add-ons.

[@rcnitro001]

I have a question. My breaker has a load and line wire connected to a breaker. Does my transfer switch wire connect to the load side? Thank in advance

[@slagmaker6780]

Preach It! enjoy the videos as always..

[@tomgarrison8492]

The sharpie graffiti all over the panels is SO PROFESSIONAL LOOKING! Also, you might want to change that 50A outlet to a 50A INLET. (Do you guys have inspectors in Colorado?)

[@rupe53]

In the video he says to "build / buy a storage shed" but reading between the lines you will find out that you can't run a portable gen set in a closed shed without voiding the warranty or violating your local fire codes... and your homeowner's insurance might have a field day if you ever need to file a claim. IOW, you might not be covered. Better solution is to store the gen set in your garage so you can roll it out the door easily then buy a cord that's long enough to reach from there. If you are worried about someone stealing the set, you can always chain it to your car. (or a pile of cement blocks buried in the garden)

[@jesseestrada4290]

Why do you have the outside panel so high and the inside ones so low? And alI that writing in the panels with Sharpie look ao messy, You don't use a panel schedule on paper....???

[@dirtdevil7bo]

Really nice explanation, but you can't have a female outlet. That generator cord will have 240v at the male end, witch will shock somebody

[@juliovalencia4948]

Spot on

[@rupe53]

I'm confused here too. That's a 50 amp female on the side of the house and I thought it was going to be a connection point for the RV, but it seems to be wired to the transfer switch. Or is that an external disconnect for the RV?

[@alfredobejines3358]

You take pride! Good stuff.

[@arthurweidner3990]

There appears to be no neutral conductor from the utility service to the transfer switch through the offset nipple. The neutral return current is returning to the service through the offset nipple and the bond wire on the bond bushings.

[@Firehawk841]

I have a question about box fill. Some of those boxes are looking over filled. thanks

[@audi_kid]

Great video!!! Wow ! Amazing !

[@n310ea]

Would it be a violation of building code if doorway height is too low?

[@jfbeam]

Why isn't the panel and transfer switch inside the building? Going outside in 3' of snow to flip that switch will not be fun. (of course, they'll also likely have to go out to fuel and start the generator.)

[@LukiyaChen]

What manual transfer switch is this one, where can I purchase it?

[@pauldesi]

Great vid.. but the Tyvek is installed wrong.. the header is wrapped in. Install manauals were revised years ago..

[@jimsjacob]

“Manual Transfer Switch on a Home” was the header for this vid. This is about your project, not about manual transfer switches…. Trust me, I wish I could hire contractors with this level of attention to detail, but my search was for installing a manual transfer switch.

[@hendersonsobers396]

do u have a link that you can share for that transfer switch?

[@jonathanf.saldivar6216]

Good content! Has anybody told you you like Jim Carey ?

[@tomreynolds4941]

Awesome job.

[@chrislewis9345]

What brand transfer switch is that?cost?lol I watched again its at the top of box! I assume it's OK for all your neutrals to be connected?meaning the generator and grid feed share neutrals in the transfer switch?

[@ehenyor]

This guy is badass.

[@mathman0101]

Great job.

[@buixote]

I've seen "midpoint transformers" used to manage leg-to-leg imbalances while off-grid... curious if any of the generator manufacturers are incorporating this sort of tech.

[@rupe53]

no gen mfgrs using extra xfmrs that I am aware of. The right way is to balance the load in your panel. It's not really that hard to do and once it's set up you are not likely to change anything for years.

[@spelunkerd]

Thanks for explaining this so carefully. At your main disconnect on the pole, is the neutral disconnected as well? I'm just wondering what special precautions are in place to protect a lineman.

[@tristatehomesllc599]

The neutral does not need to be isolated in this case. The return current from a separately derived system will not flow back to a different system. The reason some transfer switches break the neutral is not to protect the utility. The neutral is broken in the event that the homeowner uses a bonded neutral generator (most small ones or job site generators are) whereas more permanent generators have a “floating neutral”. In this current setup seen in the video (where the neutral is unbroken) the use of a bonded neutral generator will violate the NEC article “objectionable current”. Now this may not be a big deal to many, however, for those who have GFCI and AFCI breakers in their panel it will be a problem. As soon as a load is turned on they will immediately trip as it will detect a bond between the neutral and ground.

[@spelunkerd]

@@tristatehomesllc599 Thank you, that's food for thought. The downside to a parallel path escaped my attention until you pointed it out. Of course, as you say, if some neutral current can find an alternate path through an EGC, the GFCI may detect imbalance.

[@denrayr]

This reasoning doesn't make sense. The generator is upstream from the GFCI device, and the neutral is already bonded to ground at the meter. If what you're saying is true, then the bond at the meter would cause problems for normal installations, without the complication of a generator. The GFCI is only looking for downstream imbalance. If the neutral is bonded to ground downstream, then yeah, you'll get a trip, but an upstream bond won't change the neutral current path.

[@tristatehomesllc599]

@@denrayr Generator supply cords are not a 3-wire feed like the utility. They have to be 4-wire per the NEC. This creates a parallel path for neutral current which circumvents the GFCI, thus creating the imbalance. Because of this standard there is an entire market of equipment designed and built to manage this problem, transfer switches that isolate the neutrals. Before GFCI’s the most cost effective and standard method was to simply back feed the main panel and isolate loads as needed. However, when a bonded neutral generator is installed there is current returning on both the ground wire and the neutral. Now most people don’t care about this “objectionable current” as the NEC defines it, but GFCI’s do. So the options to remedy this problem LEGALLY is to: A. Use only a “floating neutral generator” B. Purchase the transfer equipment that isolates the neutral.

[@denrayr]

@@tristatehomesllc599 are you saying that the generator has a built in GFI? Because that's the only device that could see the imbalance. In this scenario, the built in GFI would trip due to the neutral/ground bond at the meter panel that's downstream. The GFIs in the home would all have an isolated neutral. They wouldn't be able to pass current to ground unless that particular branch was bonded or had a real ground fault.

[@psyo123]

Awesome video i never seen manual transfer switch before, especially residential area. Do you have any chance to teach automatic transfer system or inverter system? I would really appreciate it.

[@juliovalencia4948]

Most are plug n play line in line out buddy

[@psyo123]

@@juliovalencia4948 true it is all about wiring but I need some lecture to understand system thoroughly

[@juliovalencia4948]

@@psyo123 gotcha I'm sure there are some wiring diagrams online I install battery backup systems with inverters and automatic transfer switches all the time in traffic signals when the power drops out it automatically switches probably through a relay

[@psyo123]

@@juliovalencia4948 can you link anything about it? because I did just samething as you mention. battery back up system and inverter wiring was not big, but my problem was wiring relay. I would appreciate it if you give me any information about it.

[@juliovalencia4948]

@@psyo123 relay is simple think of it a a switch that is controlled by power you have normally open or normally closed contacts say for example you have a normally open relay hooked up to a 120v photocell you land those on the coil of the relay you can control a parking lot lighting 480v hook up the lighting to your l1 l2 l3 if it's 3 phase there are many examples I can use maybe if I do a drawing I can send it to you

[@MAD20248]

these aren't 2 separately dervided system. this TS doesn't switch the neutral. !!!!!!!

[@videodude8137]

My finger is not in the way.

[@lloydmills9619]

Thats not 2 (or any) seperately derived systems. Its a mis-wired standby system.

[@MattNis1]

I’m surprised they didn’t do ICF house

[@duranconstruction1086]

Video should have been titled “ transfer switch talk for 6:00min and rant for 9:44 min. 😂

[@MattNis1]

22kw generator with automatic transfer switch is under $5k. On a NEW house it’s super simple because you don’t need to move wiring to a sub panel since you’ll be wiring sub panel in the first place. Why you saying it’s $15k??? Should be no diff between manual or automatic transfer switch

[@WardCo]

Here in CA our neighbors just Generac'd with auto switch and it came in at $20K. (I couldn't believe it either.)

[@JasonEDragon]

I paid about 9k for mine, but that also included upgrading the service from 150 A to 200 A and installing a new outdoor meter/breaker panel, new indoor panel, and an automatic transfer switch. Some outfits really try to mark up the price, so you need to know who you are dealing with. But, it is much nicer to not have to keep cans of fresh fuel on hand - and you don't have to put all that effort into having separate circuits with and without backup power. And with the extra available power you have the capacity to be neighborly and help others - if so inclined.

[@tristatehomesllc599]

5k for a 22kw??? Do you live in Ethiopia? Idk what kind of generators you’re selling people but you need to stop

[@JasonEDragon]

@@tristatehomesllc599 Microsoft Edge price history is showing a 22 kW Generac generator with a 200 Amp automatic transfer switch was $5,147 at Home Depot on Oct 9, 2021 - and peaked at around $6,000 a month later. If it could be installed close to where he installed the portable generator hookup and was connected to natural gas then additional materials would be less than 1k and likely offset by the portable generator materials. The labor for installation on this new house would likely have been less for the whole house generator given the separate panels and circuit planning that went into the portable generator design. So, I'm not seeing the extra expenses that Peterson Electric has claimed.

[@MattNis1]

@@tristatehomesllc599 Honeywell 22k with automatic transfer switch. They used to be $4200

[@justinroberson9]

He’s a f****** Beast

[@joejoe6949]

Wow here in miami you can deviate from the plans. No no

[@robertt9342]

Cabinets don’t kill people, electricity can. You have inspectors for good reasons, but I would never say an electricians skills are more specialized than a cabinet maker. What’s weird is that you rant about cabinet makers then immediately talk about architects, whose work will end up being inspected. Also confusing is that shortening a window to raise the counter is bad…. We’re you planning on going with lower counters? Why not just the lower counters with outlets in the wall, that rant made no sense.

[@nickduggan3084]

Man that looks like such a pain! Terrible architectural design in that kitchen