Mains failure gennie switching

[Chris Wilson]

I am looking for advice on the easiest way to wire up a modified
electrical distribution panel here at home, to allow a generator to be
fired up and take over power supply to the house during one of our fairly
frequent mains failures. Ideally I would like a self powered contactor to
isolate the mains input to the board and make available a socket into
which the generator output is left plugged. Once power is re-established
from the mains this socket would be automatically isolated and the mains
takes over the running again. I need to (obviously...) avoid the scenario
where both mains and generator are connected at the same time! I would
like it automated so if I am not here the wife only has to check no
excess loads in the house are still on, albeit not working due to power
outage, go outside and start the gennie, with no switches to fiddle with.
I intend to have an LED on the inside fuse box to allow her to see when
the mains is back, so she knows when to turn off the generator. Possible?
Schematics? Web site showing this? I am sure it must be a fairly common
thing for people living with iffy mains supplies.

Thanks. I am in the UK. Mains is normal 240v single phase.

--
Best Regards,
Chris.

 

[(Bob) Robert S. Ely]

The voices in the head of Chris Wilson uttered these words to the inhabitants
of alt.electronics.

I am looking for advice on the easiest way to wire up a modified
electrical distribution panel here at home, to allow a generator to be
fired up and take over power supply to the house during one of our fairly
frequent mains failures. Ideally I would like a self powered contactor to
isolate the mains input to the board and make available a socket into
which the generator output is left plugged. Once power is re-established
from the mains this socket would be automatically isolated and the mains
takes over the running again. I need to (obviously...) avoid the scenario
where both mains and generator are connected at the same time! I would
like it automated so if I am not here the wife only has to check no
excess loads in the house are still on, albeit not working due to power
outage, go outside and start the gennie, with no switches to fiddle with.
I intend to have an LED on the inside fuse box to allow her to see when
the mains is back, so she knows when to turn off the generator. Possible?
Schematics? Web site showing this? I am sure it must be a fairly common
thing for people living with iffy mains supplies.

Thanks. I am in the UK. Mains is normal 240v single phase.

Chris,
This isn't something you should try to do yourself. It can be rather
complicated and MUST follow your local electrical code. You'll want a
licensed electrician to instal such a system. The following is an example
system (A US company. I asume there are similar in the UK).
http://www.guardiangenerators.com/products/guardian.asp?NavID=1

--

Robert S. Ely (Bob)
rsely74@optonline.net robert.ely@dhs.state.nj.us
New Lisbon Developmental Center Communications Systems Technician-3
Work Phone: 1-609-894-4057 Work FAX: 1-609-726-0357
ICQ: 33390750 Yahoo Messenger: rsely74
MSN Messenger: rsely74@hotmail.com

Check out my photos:
http://www.shuttercity.com/ShowGallery.cfm?AcctID=4359

 

[JeffM]

easiest way to wire up a modified electrical distribution panel
Chris

You'll want a licensed electrician to install such a system.
Robert S. Ely

At the very least have a pro give it his blessing after installed
(probably written into the code).