Reddit reviews Generac 6297 30-Amp Switched Neutral Kit for Manual Transfer Switches on Portable Generators
We found 2 Reddit comments about Generac 6297 30-Amp Switched Neutral Kit for Manual Transfer Switches on Portable Generators. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Safely switch from utility to 30-amp portable generator power in an emergencyInterchangeable circuit breakers make it easy to reconfigure, replace or expand the circuits in your switchDirectly powers hard-wired appliances such as your furnace (gas/oil only), well pump and septic pumpIncludes a pre-wired contactor, wire harness, 3-wire connectors and an insulated 8-position terminal blockComes with a 2-year limited warrantySafely switch from utility to 30-amp portable generator power in an emergencyInterchangeable circuit breakers make it easy to reconfigure, replace or expand the circuits in your switchDirectly powers hard-wired appliances such as your furnace (gas/oil only), well pump and septic pumpIncludes a pre-wired contactor, wire harness, 3-wire connectors and an insulated 8-position terminal blockComes with a 2-year limited warrantyThis ASIN is NOT universal and it will not work with other manufacturers besides Generac.
Generac sells a switched neutral kit that will do your neutral for you by using the input from the generator to switch a contactor to isolate the subpanel's neutral from the bonded main panel.
It's a bit pricey, so if you know what you're doing, you can buy the same contactor they use in their setup for $14 and build the harness yourself.
The nice part is that if you follow the instructions, it's rated for any transfer switch or subpanel setup so your inspector shouldn't have any problems with it.
After a 7 day power outage I had a generac transfer switch installed in my house (nothing motivates like winter in the north and a 7 month pregnant wife). We bought an 8000W Generator which was neutral bonded and required switch neutral kit for the install.
It all really depends on the generator from research but if the generator has a bonded neutral (as opposed to floating neutral), you should be using a switch neutral kit (setup) on the panel. If not done it can cause GFCI faults (source):
>2. Why does the generator GFCI breaker trip on some generators when used with a transfer switch?
Download Honda Generator Service Bulletin
Including but not limited to GENERAC XP series models XP4000, XP6500E, XP8000E, XP10000E and HONDA EB series Models EB3500XK1, EB5000XK1, EB6500SX, EB12DAG, and some models from Briggs and Stratton and Cummins.
> Some portable generators are intended for use on jobsites, and therefore are subject to OSHA regulations for GFCI protection on all receptacles. These "contractor grade" generators have their neutral wire bonded to the ground wire to pass OSHA inspection on job sites. Since home and building main load centers also have the neutral bonded to ground, a loop is created, comprised of the neutral wire and the ground wire. A small amount of current is induced in this loop by the running generator. and since the neutral wire passes through the ground fault sensor, the GFCI senses this induced current and trips the main circuit breaker in the generator.
> When using these neutral bonded generators to power a house or building through a transfer switch, the neutral bond wire on the generator must be removed, preferably by a dealer or a qualified electrician. NOTE: After this action, the generator will no longer pass OSHA inspection on job sites. Contact your dealer to determine if the neutral bond can be removed, and we recommend that a dealer perform this task. Honda dealers may refer to Honda Service Bulletin #20 for instructions on removing the neutral bond. Once this is done, no modifications to your transfer switch installation are needed.
> If the neutral bond cannot be removed (as is the case with Generac and Cummins), you can lift the ground wire coming from the generator inside the transfer switch, and secure it with a wire nut, by itself. This eliminates the nuisance tripping, BUT this installation will no longer be NEC compliant. Your other choice is to install a Switched Neutral Kit (SNK) accessory with your transfer switch, available thru our website.
TL;DR Neutral bonded generator, neutral should be transfered; Floating Neutral, it is not necessary.