Manual transfer switch for less than $300?

[copymepls]

Simply a large 200amp 120vac spdt (single pole double throw switch).

I searched for manual transfer switches and 200A spdt and google gave me nothing close to what I wanted.

A large 200amp 120vac spdt should be out there somewhere for less than $50.

[Sunking]

Don't think they exist because anything that size will be made for 240/120 single phase service and the cheapest out there is a made by GE and they go for around $320 to $360. Anything that uses more than 2000 watts is going to be 240 volts or higher.

[copymepls]

It's for switching both of the houses 120vac breakerboxes between inverter power and electric company power.

My only solution is to attach a large 200amp 240vac male plug to the breakerboxes input and have an outlet for electric company power and an outlet for inverter power so I switch the plug back and forth. I will use 2 gauge copper wire.

[Bikerscum]

I see a lot of these type switches out there for pretty cheap...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400-Amp-Disconnect-Knife-Switch-400A-3-Pole-Circuit-Breaker-Backup-Generator-3L-/170968349020?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27ce81f95c

[sensij]

A 200 Amp switch for under $50? Why "should" that exist? The stuff on Ebay is great if you want to save some money on the electrical equipment, and spend it on fire extinguishers. No UL listing for something carrying 200 A, no thanks. What kind of plug and outlet combination do you think you'll find for the price you expect? Cooper has some high amperage single conductor cam-lock male plugs, but they sell for $150 ea. The female panel is over $1000.

[Mike90250]

you can get a ganged interlock for 2 pairs of circuit breakers. It's just some simple mechanical levers or sliding plates.

google ganged breaker interlock transfer switch

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and
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and @ nooutage.com
InterlockKitContents.jpg

[copymepls]

I bought a 4 prong plug for electric stoves, it's rated 50A at 240Vac, then I attached a piece of 4 gauge copper thhn stranded wire to all 4 prongs since I only need to switch the hot back and forth, neutrals from power company and inverter can always be connected to house neutral/ground, then connected the other end to the hot bus bars in the breakerboxes. I salvaged two 4 prong receptacles from the house since they're not used anymore, there is a 100amp double breaker in the main box from the power company so I ran a piece of 4 gauge stranded copper from one side of the double breaker to all 4 prongs of one of the receptacles, then the other receptacle will be wired all 4 prongs to the hot from the inverter.

Simple cheap plug switch with recycled outlets.

[sensij]

What makes you think the current will travel equally between the four prongs of the connector? Do you have any safety mechanisms to keep from hot swapping the plugs? Do you mean 4 AWG, or 4/0 AWG?

In another thread, you indicated that the PV install was for a friend, is this electrical work for them as well? Seriously, you should stop what you are doing and get a real electrician. What you've described is a bad idea, almost certain to fail, and extremely dangerous.

[copymepls]

They are not going to be hot swapping with more than 20A being demanded if everything is turned on. The inverter will only put out 20A. So they will be switching to grid if solar gets low on power since they cannot afford enough panels. They will within a few months have enough panels to stay solar 100% of the time and cancel their service with the power company.

$300 for a transfer switch is just not going to happen.

I can replace the 100A breaker with a 50A if it makes you feel better.

[russ]

They will within a few months have enough panels to stay solar 100% of the time and cancel their service with the power company.

Hell of a deal! Another one gonna "screw the man" and in reality are screwing themselves. I guess some just like expensive power.

The entire thing borders on loony.

[copymepls]

I keep telling them just ride a bicycle instead of a car and use a small portable solar panel to charge a smartphone with and just travel. But they would rather spend thousands on lead batteries and a moldy homedepot house and think they are sustainable sitting around playing league of legends.

[copymepls]

Sorry to scare with 200amps but I wanted the switch to be more than adequate.

[sensij]

Sorry to scare with 200amps but I wanted the switch to be more than adequate.

You can get a 100 A manual transfer switch from the Home Depot stores you disdain for $130. If you are really using 4 AWG, then yes... dropping the breaker from 100 A to 60 A would be required. A 60 amp switch is available for < $100.

[paulcheung]

They are not going to be hot swapping with more than 20A being demanded if everything is turned on. The inverter will only put out 20A. So they will be switching to grid if solar gets low on power since they cannot afford enough panels. They will within a few months have enough panels to stay solar 100% of the time and cancel their service with the power company..

Bad idea, Inverter and charge controller can burn any time, cloudy days battery dead, they will be in the dark. pay for the meter rental or customer charge what ever the power company called it and have a backup power source.

[Bill NC]

Interlock kits for main breaker panels.

Square D now makes interlock kits for a number of their panels. From $50 to $95 (RCGK2). The main breaker and the double pole breaker in the 2/4 (top right) slots are mechanically interlocked so that when the main breaker is ON, the top right breaker is OFF (and vice versa). They also make a 60A main breaker panel (QO48M60DSGP) that comes with this type of interlock device installed, complete with both 60A breakers for under $100.

Regards, Bill NC