Topic 'Re: Interlock Murray panel' in forum 'Home Improvement' - dslreports.com

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:25:35 EDT

fcisler posted : i'll second interlockkit.com. I do not work for them, i've installed three of their units. Two murrary (30a and 50a) and an ITE (30a).

As far as their fit: it was tight on all three. The most expensive was the 50a. Buying the kit, inlet and cord from them was around $440 shipped. The breaker and cable at home depot was another $60. $500 total. Their cord was good quality (4g SOOW). I would look for another inlet, though. While theirs was sufficient I did not like the size nor the way the inlet was held into the panel. Using 6GA wiring it was stiff to fit in place.

My issue with the transfer switches (separate panel) is that you then have to pick 6 (or however many) circuits which you want to power. Not sufficient for me. My kitchen lights, kitchen outlets, living room lights, fridge and furnace would fill all 6 slots. What about anything else I want to power? Extension cord from kitchen to my TV?

With the interlock kit I can power everything - generator being the limiting factor. All I do is flip off the stove and I can use my house as I need.

My friend who got the 50a interlock has a rental in the basement. Their bathroom/shower uses a sump pump. They have their own panel in the unit. Using a transfer switch he would have to run the sump pump back to the main panel. Using the interlock and a 9,000 watt generator he was able to power his house and apartment with no problems.

His power mast was taken down during sandy. Before they hooked him up they saw the generator and asked to look at the panel. The guy looked at the interlock, saw it was UL listed and said he was good to go.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:22:18 EDT

Toadman posted : Just a word of experience -

I used to have one of those Reliance 10 breaker panel kits, and decided after one year of using it, and still running extension cords all over the place, I bought a Square D interlock kit for my panel, $45 bucks at Meynards, sold the Reliance panel on Ebay for $380.00, made a profit, and kept the plug. I noticed that these reliance panels are going up in price.

Just marked the hot tub and AC circuits with a red sticker to make sure I shut them off and no problems, nice to have the whole house with power.

The only regret is it was easier to tell when the power came back on with the reliance transfer switch, now I have to look at neighbors to see if it came on or not. I think you can buy some type of CT that you can attach to the main that will light up a light when the mains are back on, just haven't found an innexpensive solution...
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Re: Interlock Murray panel

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 20:39:36 EDT

Subaru posted : I can't track much of anything as far as the way the main switch is.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 20:32:04 EDT

nunya posted : I looked at the interlock kit site. I don't think they have one for that panel. Murray panel should only use Murray breakers. They are still manufactured and widely available.

Note of interest: Even though Murray and Siemens breakers are the exact same, made in the same factory and on the same line - Murray breakers are listed for use in Siemens panels, but not vice-versa.

Also wanted to make a comment about interlokkit.com, not all of their interlocks "fit like a glove". The last one I installed had to be filed down. I don't like doing that. I would also suggest buying the manufacturers breaker retainer rather than using their included ty-wrap method.
Their products are listed and I've never had an inspector reject their paperwork.

In your case, you may have to use some other option other than an interlock. While there's nothing wrong with that panel, it's age will work against you when trying to track down an interlock.
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Re: Interlock Murray panel

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 20:03:31 EDT

Subaru posted : Still haven't heard back from that site with the interlock kit.. I will just guess he is busy or customer service is lacking.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 20:17:02 EDT

sk1939 posted : Any brand that fits, Siemens is good though.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 20:14:45 EDT

Subaru posted : Should I be looking for a certain brand breaker? I noticed on that interlock site they have piggyback breakers and backfeed breakers.

I think Siemens breakers are said to fit.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 19:53:34 EDT

sk1939 posted : Yes, depending on the manufacture.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 19:42:30 EDT

Subaru posted : gotcha, and they make beakers for backfeeding right? Or well that's what I heard.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 19:35:43 EDT

sk1939 posted :

said by Subaru:

These are not 2 breakers in tandem but it's a single breaker with a bar to connect the both of them.. I'd have to double check to be 100% but at least that's what I saw, but having said that I can't see why the one on that site wont work for mine.

Your main breaker is a set of handle-tied (Edit: not tandem) breakers rated at 100A, like this:

Whereas other panels have a main breaker like this:

Tandem Breakers:

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 19:21:03 EDT

Subaru posted : These are not 2 breakers in tandem but it's a single breaker with a bar to connect the both of them.. I'd have to double check to be 100% but at least that's what I saw, but having said that I can't see why the one on that site wont work for mine.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 17:36:37 EDT

alkizmo posted :

said by sk1939:

Depends on the 100A panel and the age, but most main breakers are just large single breakers (larger than any of the other breakers in the panel).

I think he meant 2 breakers as double pole.
Then yes, they're not different from their 200A counterpart (of the same age/brand).

I often see identical panels rated 100A and 200A, the only difference is the breaker rating.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 16:47:29 EDT

sk1939 posted :

said by Subaru:

Correct, I should tell my friend about it.. I took my Generator to his house yesterday just so I can show him you can use it for muti uses like powering stuff like my heater I ran yesterday when it was chilly, hardly could hear it running..

Anyways I will just do the interlock and just deal with the price, I might have to email the guy on that interlock site to see if I can use that interlock that has a 4 handle main Murray on my box that is a 2 handle main.

I assume all 100 Amp service panels just have a 2 breaker main?

Depends on the 100A panel and the age, but most main breakers are just large single breakers (larger than any of the other breakers in the panel).

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 09:16:03 EDT

Subaru posted : Correct, I should tell my friend about it.. I took my Generator to his house yesterday just so I can show him you can use it for muti uses like powering stuff like my heater I ran yesterday when it was chilly, hardly could hear it running..

Anyways I will just do the interlock and just deal with the price, I might have to email the guy on that interlock site to see if I can use that interlock that has a 4 handle main Murray on my box that is a 2 handle main.

I assume all 100 Amp service panels just have a 2 breaker main?
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Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 02:20:19 EDT

sk1939 posted :

said by Subaru:

Might be good for my friend who might do that later but in my case at a family member's house I'm going to be getting a larger generator after December so use for power outage and out in the field.

So in my case I would need to do whole house so I would still need the interlock.

You would need the interlock, or a full blown transfer panel.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 20:09:09 EDT

Subaru posted : Might be good for my friend who might do that later but in my case at a family member's house I'm going to be getting a larger generator after December so use for power outage and out in the field.

So in my case I would need to do whole house so I would still need the interlock.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 20:04:09 EDT

IowaCowboy posted : If all you want to run is the boiler/furnace, I'd put one of these in. »www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Bre···wrZG9KK0
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Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 19:55:20 EDT

telco_mtl posted :

said by alkizmo:

that interlock goes left to right for both main and backfeed breakers.

the panel in ur picture has top-down for the main breaker.

doubt it will work

why wouldnt it, ive seen many interlocks for horizontal breakers that will stop a vertical main from being operated. the interlock would need to slide to the left and block the main, simple as that.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 19:45:43 EDT

Subaru posted : Ahh right.. but just looking here

»www.interlockkit.com/murray01.htm

the first one looks like mine but mine is two handle is that going to be an issue?

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 19:25:29 EDT

alkizmo posted : that interlock goes left to right for both main and backfeed breakers.

the panel in ur picture has top-down for the main breaker.

doubt it will work

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 19:06:39 EDT

Subaru posted : I was told this would work and it works it's Murray panels but I wonder how this interlock works?

»www.lowes.com/pd_317963-1318-ECS···Id=10151
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Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 13:45:36 EDT

SwedishRider posted :

said by kherr:

Awfully expensive for a couple pieces of sheet metal, but then again it's for a limited market.

It is expensive, but it's due to the cost of testing so it can be UL listed. Without that, I don't think building inspectors can allow it to be accepted as code compliant.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 13:43:57 EDT

kherr posted : Awfully expensive for a couple pieces of sheet metal, but then again it's for a limited market.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 13:38:00 EDT

SwedishRider posted :

said by sk1939:

Yes, but not all panels support an interlock kit, only a handful do.

Not too many manufacturers make an interlock for their own panels, but I'm stunned at how many interlocks are available for various panels by aftermarket products: »www.interlockkit.com/

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 13:06:20 EDT

sk1939 posted :

said by Subaru:

hah automatic would be nice but a little too much on her house..

the interlock seems to be simple

I assume I need a open breaker location but given how it is on my panel I might have to shift some breakers down?

Yes, but not all panels support an interlock kit, only a handful do.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 11:44:29 EDT

Subaru posted : hah automatic would be nice but a little too much on her house..

the interlock seems to be simple

I assume I need a open breaker location but given how it is on my panel I might have to shift some breakers down?

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 22:54:06 EDT

sk1939 posted : Interlock kits are made by your panel manufacture and are basically a metal bar on your panel that switches between two double breakers on that panel (main and generator). Same concept as that panel I showed you, just as an "all in one" solution.

Well you could just use a clamp meter and measure the amps and do the math from there honestly (V*A=W, ignoring power factor at the moment).

Interlock Kit

Transfer Switch Type 1

Transfer Switch Type 2

Transfer Switch Type 3

Transfer Switch Type 4 (Automatic)

Note these aren't official "types", rather just show the different types of transfer switches.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 22:14:41 EDT

Subaru posted : I assume those kits are wired after the main? And I really haven't checked but were can you find one of those watt meters that goes over one of the wires? I assume it's nothing but a current measuring device but in wattage instead of amps.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 22:06:07 EDT

sk1939 posted :

said by Subaru:

The interlocks still use the generator input plug, no?

Yes, but the interlock kits generally don't come with the inlets.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:49:18 EDT

Subaru posted : The interlocks still use the generator input plug, no?

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:44:36 EDT

UHF posted :

said by cowboyro:

With the interlock I have the *entire house* on generator... Hell my wife cooked the other day... on the electric range powered by the generator.

I have a small generator. 1800W. All I *need* to power is the fridge, furnace, and a couple lights. In the 8 years I've lived here the longest outage we've had is a couple of hours, and only once. That's not to say an ice storm won't take us out longer, but the city has their own generation, so unless the lines are down between me and the power plant 3/4 mile away it's not likely I'll have a long outage.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:22:59 EDT

Jack_in_VA posted :

said by cowboyro:

[
With the interlock I have the *entire house* on generator... Hell my wife cooked the other day... on the electric range powered by the generator.

We do that all the time. Coffee pot, toaster, microwave, one burner on stovetop.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:18:12 EDT

cowboyro posted :

said by UHF:

If you use an interlock, how do you know when the power has come back on? Seriously.

Look at the neighbors? Street lights? Look at the meter if it's digital? Voltage probe placed near main wires?
Having all circuits available surely beats having just a handful. I only have 1 empty slot on my 40-slot panel, how would I choose 6-10 "critical" circuits when the air handlers and furnace alone take 5 of them?
With the interlock I have the *entire house* on generator... Hell my wife cooked the other day... on the electric range powered by the generator.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 22:02:49 EDT

Subaru posted : Inside the panel from a few years back

»Re: wall outlet cover for outdoor GFCI

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 21:37:01 EDT

Subaru posted : Got it, It would not be until Dec until I get a higher wattage generator providing we don't get a massive snow storm stores can start building up a fresh supply of generators.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:09:05 EDT

sk1939 posted : It's a whole-panel switch, it works in place of a main breaker with the same function as an interlock kit. Basically like this:

Meter -> T.Panel -> Main Breaker
Generator ->

You run the 10/3 or 8/3 line from that to your inlet. This transfer panel allows you to use your old panel without a whole lot of modification without the risk of back feeding the utility line. The generator itself has a circuit breaker of either 30A or 50A which would provide the over current protection if need be. Just make sure that the neutral-ground bonding is removed.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 19:17:36 EDT

Subaru posted :

said by sk1939:

I would suggest one like this:

»www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R···ApBhrY4Y

$99 on Amazon btw.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 19:08:43 EDT

Subaru posted : Yeah but that's only one circuit, no?

*edit
Ok does not seem like it but how does this one work? It seems like it's wired after the main?

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 19:08:09 EDT

sk1939 posted : I would suggest one like this:

»www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R···ApBhrY4Y

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 19:06:10 EDT

Subaru posted : the one I'm looking at is like $180

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:36:56 EDT

alkizmo posted : It doesn't look like it has a top knock out, too bad.

But I don't understand the big deal with the reliance transfer switch.

It's so popular, but costs 250$ and only has 6 circuits.

On the canadian Home Depot website, you can buy a 18 space transfer switch for 200$ and have 50$ to spare for the inlet and wires.

»www.homedepot.ca/product/60-amp-···m/992421

I don't see anything like that on the american home depot website, but I'm sure they exist.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:09:12 EDT

sk1939 posted : It depends on what kind of inlet. For the Reliance you would end up forming a "J" shape to reach the inlet (down, over, then up to the inlet), otherwise there are others such as this Bryant:

»www.google.com/shopping/product/···BEPMCMAQ

That just installs into a standard box.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:00:42 EDT

Subaru posted : got it, I was watching the install video for that reliance transfer switch but I'm not sure if it has a knock out at the top of the inlet box?

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:59:01 EDT

alkizmo posted :

said by Subaru:

No, once you go through the wall above the foundation, you come back down through a PVC raceway that's attached to the exterior wall's facade. The inlet would be surface mounted.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:50:30 EDT

Subaru posted :

said by sk1939:

That's an old foundation on that house, old mortar for sure.

If you want it in the back there the best option is to go up a level, over through the wall, then drop the PVC down to wall height and use mason screws or construction adhesive to mount the box.

The space next to the box I think would support a transfer panel, the thing is when you say up a level I assume you mean from where I posted the foundation picture? I'm 5'9" so the top is about 6" above my head so just think plugging in a generator cord up that high..

On the flipside you would know what the box is for and it would be out of reach.
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Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:44:27 EDT

sk1939 posted : That's an old foundation on that house, old mortar for sure.

If you want it in the back there the best option is to go up a level, over through the wall, then drop the PVC down to wall height and use mason screws or construction adhesive to mount the box.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:32:28 EDT

Subaru posted : Here are pictures I just took it was hard to describe, I don't want it in the front for reasons you can see in the pictures.. front is street level, load it up and gone.

Inlet box where it would be

steps to the basement.

rock part for basement

thickness

Panel

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It's NOT Ni-kon It's NE-KON!

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Re: Interlock Murray panel

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 06:27:04 EDT

alkizmo posted :

said by Subaru:

the house had a addition added on in the early 80's or late 70's but the stone is like 7 inches thick stone.

I drilled through my house's foundation to pass raceway from inside to outside.

It was hard, but I managed to make a 1" hole to fit the PVC raceway for the quickest route to the best location for a generator.

So think about the long term: Do you want a generator at the front of the house. What would be the complications to place the generator at the back of the house, but plug it to the front.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:56:54 EDT

Subaru posted : It would be best just to have the plug in the front the bushes hide anything, the house had a addition added on in the early 80's or late 70's but the stone is like 7 inches thick stone.

The front is just siding, wood then the insulation then basement.

Re: Interlock Murray panel

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:49:58 EDT

sk1939 posted :

said by Subaru:

well I'm reading the manual here and they are talking about the hard wire installation now, and by up and over are you talking about the inlet box on the outside? it would be a bit over my head with the height it would just be simple to install the box behind the bushes because it would just be a direct run to the panel, I did that when relocating the power box next to the gas meter to the other side of the house.

Referring to the inlet box, you could go around the stonework if need be (assuming that is the handiest location).