generator panels - 02/04/04 09:15 PM
I'm thinking about putting a 16 circuit,100amp Square D panel beside the 200 amp. main panel, and feeding this with a 100 amp. wire and breaker. There will be probably a 30 amp. main for the generator. The panel will have one of the Square D interlocking clips for the Main Breaker and the Generator main breaker. There will be a 4 wire male recpt. for the Generator hook up. I will then pull the circuits the homeowner wants into the panel. I'm not sure what size generator he
has, but he could then pick the circuits that he wants to use during an emergency. Is there anything in the code you know of that prohibits the amount of load I can put in this panel. Does it have to be sized with the generator, or can it be up to the homeowner to decide which loads he wants. Of course the other requirements will be met as to wire size of feeders... etc...
I know there are generator panels out there that are already sized, for instance 6 cir. etc. but then you are limited to what you can put in it. And I know that there is the chance of overloading the generator,But the homeowner could monitor this, either by computing the load he is using, or by installing watt meters. Is this a code violation, or just a safety precaution for the generator owner?
I'll be looking myself in the code to see if I can find it... Thanks for the help.. Steve
ps. I understand that it may cost more the way I want to do it, but it will give more options on the circuits that can be used..
has, but he could then pick the circuits that he wants to use during an emergency. Is there anything in the code you know of that prohibits the amount of load I can put in this panel. Does it have to be sized with the generator, or can it be up to the homeowner to decide which loads he wants. Of course the other requirements will be met as to wire size of feeders... etc...
I know there are generator panels out there that are already sized, for instance 6 cir. etc. but then you are limited to what you can put in it. And I know that there is the chance of overloading the generator,But the homeowner could monitor this, either by computing the load he is using, or by installing watt meters. Is this a code violation, or just a safety precaution for the generator owner?
I'll be looking myself in the code to see if I can find it... Thanks for the help.. Steve
ps. I understand that it may cost more the way I want to do it, but it will give more options on the circuits that can be used..