That’s where split bus panels come into play.Ĭompared to interlock kits, split bus panels take the guesswork out of the process. That way, your customer knows which circuit breakers to turn off or keep on during an outage.Īlthough an interlock kit seems like a smart connection solution for the average homeowner, some people may not feel comfortable manually switching the system and each critical circuit breaker on and off. Also, consider working with them to label each circuit as either essential or non-essential.

To avoid this situation, I suggest educating your customers on sizing the right generator for their home, as well as teaching them how to switch on and off the loads manually. While this is good in theory, there’s a risk of overloading the generator if it’s not sized according to the load. Installation averages between 15 and 30 minutes.Ĭompared to a transfer switch, which is limited to a particular number of circuits, an interlock kit allows you to run power from a generator to any circuit within the electrical panel. You can get a standard interlock kit for around $50 from your go-to distributor or a big-box retailer. These kits are inexpensive and relatively easy way to connect a generator. Thus, it isolates the energy created by the generator and blocks it from back-feeding into the electrical grid when the power turns back on.

The kit works by ensuring the main breaker is in an off position before the dedicated two-pole generator breaker can be switched on. Similar to a manual transfer switch, an interlock kit in conjunction with a two-pole breaker connects a generator to the electrical panel. The two most common connection options for a generator are interlock kits and split bus panels. However, your electrical expertise is essential for installation, particularly when it comes to choosing how to connect the generator to an existing electrical panel. Generators are the go-to solution for your customers looking to keep the power on. Power outages due to the U.S.’s aging infrastructure, whether intentional or not, are on the rise.Īs a contractor, when the lights go out, you probably get calls - lots of them, asking how quickly you can prepare a home for a generator.Īnd that makes sense. PG&E issued a preemptive outage in California just days ago to reduce the risk of wildfire.

This week we saw widespread weather-related power outages across the northeast United States. Written by Guest Blogger, Michele Hix, Vice President, Sales – West Region, USA.

Siemens generator lock out