SHOOTEMUP Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 How would you go about wiring a generator to run your house in a power cut? I know you obviously have to isolate the mains but just wonder what equipment and fittings you would need?? Any advice appreciated please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8landy Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 Hi I am wanting to do the same as you. I have a 9Kw Deisel unit, but want to be able to hook-up for emergency use, rather than trailing in power leads. What you need is a changeover switch. These, isoloate haveing three postions, MAINS, OFF, GENERATOR. If you are going to isolate the whole house you need the switch rated to break the full incoming feed rating, so given your main breaker (that is the one against the meter) will be 125, you need a 125 amp unit. So dont get caught out with the cheaper units at 65 amps or less. This is the one I would like to get. Ignore that fact that it says Briggs on it. http://www.briggsandstrattongenerators.co.uk/pages/powertransfer.htm Other wise somthing like this http://www.genpoweruk.co.uk/Salzer_100_amp_changeover_switch.html I keep looking on fleebay, missed the other month a brigs one for £70. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHOOTEMUP Posted November 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 Blimey 9kva it should be enough to run the whole street! I have looked on the e b"" but the prices are horrendous to say the least. My genny is only 3.2kva so I dont think it would run the whole house but as long as it ran the heating ( Oil central heating ) and a few lights plus the fridge it should do the trick/ I Hope?? We are quite isolated where we are and have just been socially enlightened by the encampment of some fourteen traveller vans very close by which the council have just granted planning permission for So would also like it to run our alarm systems which I dont think would take a lot of juice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 a bit more to it than getting a genny to power your house ,a lot to do with the earthing system if i was you call a spark ,this is a good read http://www.justgenerators.co.uk/pages/FAQ.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 It can be done the question is do you want auto or manual change over? you may need to rewire the house to give you essential and none essential sockets (some thing that HA are going for energy effeciency) but make genny's easier to fit: http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/electrical-forum-general-electrical-forum/11952-connecting-generator-essencial-circuits.html has everything you need to know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8landy Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 a bit more to it than getting a genny to power your house ,a lot to do with the earthing system if i was you call a spark ,this is a good read http://www.justgenerators.co.uk/pages/FAQ.htm Yes, goes without saying that as you are working on the live side of your consumer unit nees full proff work. And yes agin to the earthing, you need full extra dedictaed earth spike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8landy Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 It can be done the question is do you want auto or manual change over? I would say go for manual, unless you have critical items to keep powered, but even the average freezer is OK for 24hrs with no power. So no point unit fireing up if you have power cut whilst you are out at work. Even more so if you generator is not man enough to fullpy power the house. I would rather fumble around it the dark a bit, whilst I got things set up and even go as far make sure everything is OFF, before getting the genny running, and then switch on one thing at a time. PS I have first dibs on ebay for any good chnage over units. This one is always on ebay, but I do not like the look of it. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/125-Amp-Generator-Changeover-Switch-Metal-Enclosure-/260691801050?pt=UK_Garden_Lighting&hash=item3cb27133da Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 9 kva is only 39 amps 3.5 kva is 13 amps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHOOTEMUP Posted November 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 9 kva is only 39 amps 3.5 kva is 13 amps Blimey I cant run much with that then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 dont forget 39 amps and the 13 amps is full stretch for the Genny's they would be coughing a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHOOTEMUP Posted November 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 (edited) dont forget 39 amps and the 13 amps is full stretch for the Genny's they would be coughing a bit How would you work out the wattage from the amps as that seems the easiest way to check appliances as its usually on the back of each one isnt it? This is getting comlicated now but thanks for all the advice gents Edited November 15, 2010 by SHOOTEMUP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 add watts and divide by 230 http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/Charts/OhmsLawCalculator.html try this m8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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