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New member here, I am a solar installer that also does some generator installation. I obtained a too good to pass up portable generator deal (Generac XG8000E) and am looking to hook it up at my house. I am aware this is a neutral bonded generator and will have the neutral bond disconnected when connecting to the homes electrical system.
This is an electrical situation that I have not come across yet. The existing solar system is a Solaredge SE11400A setup on a 100A subpanel in a separate outbuilding from the main service panel. I need a way to disconnect both the main electrical service AND the solar system when the generator is operating. Since the solar system is located on a subpanel in an outbuilding, a utility line-side tap for the solar system is not an option.
Normally I would use either a manual transfer switch or breaker interlock kit to shut off the main electrical service feed when the generator is started. If I locate the generator on the main service panel, and interlock with the main breaker, the solar system could potentially power up and backfeed the generator.
If I locate the generator on the subpanel with the solar system, I could interlock the generator and solar breakers. Then there would be no way to ensure the main service breaker is turned off, resulting in a backfeed to the grid.
A contactor that shuts off the solar feed when the generator is powered could be the solution, but I have no experience with contactors. A 240V 60A capable NC contactor would seem to be the right choice. Though I'm not sure how to control the contactor with a portable generator like this, as it doesn't have any type of external control capability.
There is an additional 60 amp subpanel in the same outbuilding that has a seperate feed back to the house. This is not currently in use, as the new 100 amp panel has its own wiring. I could potentially use this to locate the generator physically at the outbuilding, but electrically hooked up to the main service panel. This may give me some different options.
Any ideas here?
This is an electrical situation that I have not come across yet. The existing solar system is a Solaredge SE11400A setup on a 100A subpanel in a separate outbuilding from the main service panel. I need a way to disconnect both the main electrical service AND the solar system when the generator is operating. Since the solar system is located on a subpanel in an outbuilding, a utility line-side tap for the solar system is not an option.
Normally I would use either a manual transfer switch or breaker interlock kit to shut off the main electrical service feed when the generator is started. If I locate the generator on the main service panel, and interlock with the main breaker, the solar system could potentially power up and backfeed the generator.
If I locate the generator on the subpanel with the solar system, I could interlock the generator and solar breakers. Then there would be no way to ensure the main service breaker is turned off, resulting in a backfeed to the grid.
A contactor that shuts off the solar feed when the generator is powered could be the solution, but I have no experience with contactors. A 240V 60A capable NC contactor would seem to be the right choice. Though I'm not sure how to control the contactor with a portable generator like this, as it doesn't have any type of external control capability.
There is an additional 60 amp subpanel in the same outbuilding that has a seperate feed back to the house. This is not currently in use, as the new 100 amp panel has its own wiring. I could potentially use this to locate the generator physically at the outbuilding, but electrically hooked up to the main service panel. This may give me some different options.
Any ideas here?