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Configuration B

Configuration B involves the use of a portable generator connected to the electrical loads by various means.  These are described below using a number of sub-configurations, depending on the connection arrangement.  You may place order right from tables below by clicking on item numbers in tables.

  1. Configuration B1 - extension cords only, open window/door
  2. Configuration B2 - small multicircuit transfer switch, open window/door
  3. Configuration B3 - small multicircuit transfer switch, inlet box
  4. Configuration B4 - full rated transfer switch & additional main, inlet box
  5. Configuration B5 - replacement transfer panel, inlet box
  6. Configuration B6 - full rated outdoor transfer switch
  7. Configuration B7 - additional (sub-fed) transfer panel, inlet box
  8. Configuration B8 - small multicircuit transfer switch, inlet box, drop cord
  9. Configuration B9 - small multicircuit transfer switch, outdoor

Configuration B1 is the simplest and least expensive arrangement for providing power during a blackout.  It consists of locating a portable generator unit outside the building and feeding one or more plug-in extension cords through any convenient window or door.

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Generator Ratings Items Available for Purchase
Watts Amps Generator Cordsets
1,000-4,000 up to 15A per 5-15R outlet @ 120V any small portable generator G01910
2,000-4,500 up to 20A per 5-20R outlet @ 120V most small portable generators G01910, G01911
3,500-5,000 up to 30A per L5-30R outlet @ 120V click to go to portable generator catalog G01910, G01911, G01912, B10325DW, B10350DW, D10325DW, D10350DW
3,500-5,000 up to 20A per L1420R outlet
@ 120V or 240V
click to go to portable generator catalog B12425DW, B12450DW, D12425DW, D12450DW

Advantages of this B1 configuration include:

Some obvious and not so obvious disadvantages of this B1 arrangement are:


Configuration B2 is a much more versatile but still inexpensive arrangement for providing power during a power outage.  It consists of locating a portable generator unit outside the building and feeding one heavy duty plug-in extension cord through a window or door to a manual transfer switch pre-wired to the building electric panel.  This type of transfer switch is easily installed by any electrician without pulling the electric meter.  The transfer switch unit has single or double pole two position switches permanently wired to the preselected building circuits that require backup power.

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Generator Ratings Matching Items Available for Purchase
Watts Amps Generator Cordset Switch
2,500
to
5,000
up to 20A per 5-20R outlet @ 120V most small portable generators RJB12425 & MOD6-20P 20216A, F20216B, F20216, 200660
up to 20A per L1420R outlet
@ 120V and 240V
click to go to portable generator catalog RJB12425, PC2025USA, RJB12450, 
PC2050USA
4,500
to
7,500
up to 20A per L1430R outlet
@ 120V and 240V
click to go to portable generator catalog RJB10425
PC3025USA
, RJB10450
PC3050USA
30216A,30508B, 30310A, F30216B, F30508B, F30310B, R30216B, R30310B, TRC0603A, 301060
Many other combinations are possible, especially if you make up a special cordset.

Advantages of this B2 configuration include:

Some disadvantages of this B2 arrangement are:


Configuration B3 is similar to B2 except for an additional power inlet receptacle located outside.  It consists of locating a portable generator unit outside the building and feeding one heavy duty plug-in extension cord directly to this power inlet box.  This box is pre-wired to a manual transfer switch which is pre-wired to the building electric panel.  Again, this type of transfer switch is easily installed by any electrician without pulling the electric meter.  The transfer switch unit has single or double pole two position switches permanently wired to the preselected building circuits that require backup power.

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Generator Ratings Matching Items Available for Purchase
Watts Amps Generator Cordset Inlet Box Switch
4,500
to
7,500
up to 30A per L1430R outlet
@ 120V and 240V
click to go to portable generator catalog RJB10410
PC3010USA
PB30 , PR30, 14302 or 14301 31406C, 30408B, 31410C, F31406C, F30408B, F31410C
Many other combinations are possible, especially if you make up a special cordset.

Advantages of this B3 configuration include:

Some disadvantages of this B3 arrangement are:


Configuration B4 is extremely versatile but a more costly arrangement for providing power during a power outage.  It consists of locating a portable generator unit outside the building and connecting one heavy duty plug-in extension cord to a power inlet receptacle also outside the building.  Inside, a manual transfer switch allows the transfer of the electric panel's supply from the normal utility feed to the portable generator.  To allow for disconnecting the transfer switch from the utility feed, a new service entrance main disconnect is shown.  This type of configuration must be installed by an electrician after pulling the electric meter.  The transfer switch is a double throw switch permanently wired to the building service entrance.

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Generator Ratings Matching Items Available for Purchase
Watts Amps Generator Cordset Inlet Box Main C.B. Switch
4,500
to
7,500
up to 20A per L1430R outlet
@ 120V and 240V
click to go to portable generator catalog PC3010
PC3010USA
PB30 , PR30, 14302 or 14301 order to match service
TWB1503CR, TWB2003CR, R3015, R3020, 7205
7215
5,500
to
12,000
up to 50A
@ 120V/240V
click to go to portable generator catalog PC5010 PB50, PR50 or
63652, 63651
order to match service
TWB1505CR, TWB2005CR, R5015, R5020, 7205
7215

Advantages of this B4 configuration include:

Some disadvantages of this B4 arrangement are:


Configuration B5 consists of a load center breaker panel specifically designed for use with backup generators.  This transfer panel contains two main breakers mechanically interlocked so that only one can be closed at the same time.  As shown in the figure below, this type of panel can completely replace the standard style panel.  Or, this type of panel can be sub-fed from an existing panel (see Configuration B7).  A portable generator unit outside the building is used to connect to a power inlet receptacle using one heavy duty plug-in extension cord.  Installation of this configuration must be performed by a qualified electrician while the electric meter is pulled.

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Generator Ratings Utility Feed
Amps
Matching Items Available for Purchase
Watts Amps Generator Cordset Inlet Box Panel
4,500
to
7,500
up to 20A per L1430R outlet
@ 120V and 240V
60 click to go to portable generator catalog RJB10410
PC3010USA
PB30 , PR30, 14302, 14301 TRC0603C,
301060
5,500
to
12,000
up to 50A per 1450R or  outlet
@ 120V/240V
100 click to go to portable generator catalog PC5010 PB50, PR50,
63652, 63651
TRC1005C, 501210
4,500
to
7,500
up to 20A per L1430R outlet
@ 120V and 240V
200 click to go to portable generator catalog RJB10410
PC3010USA
PB30 , PR30, 14302, 14301 TTV2003D, GTL2003D
5,500
to
12,000
up to 50A per 1450R  outlet
@ 120V/240V
200 click to go to portable generator catalog PC5010 PB50, PR50,
63652, 63651
TTV2005D, GTL2005D
15,000
max
up to 60A per 1460R  outlet
@ 120V/240V
200 any generator with appropriately rated receptacle or that can be hard wired special special TTV2006D, GTL2006D
25,000
max
100A per outlet
@ 120V or 240V
200 special special TTV2010D, GTL2010D
30,000
max
125A per outlet
@ 120V or 240V
200 special special TTV2012D, GTL2012D
Many other combinations are possible, especially with special cordsets.

Advantages of this B5 configuration include:

Some disadvantages of this B5 arrangement are:


Configuration B6 is extremely versatile but a more costly arrangement for providing power during a power outage.  It consists of locating a portable generator unit outside the building and connecting one heavy duty plug-in extension cord to a manual transfer switch next to the building electric meter.  This type of transfer switch must be installed by an electrician after pulling the electric meter.  The transfer switch is a double throw switch permanently wired to the building service entrance.

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The following switch models are examples of this type of fully rated transfer switch: 7205, 7215, 7406, 7416.

Advantages of this B6 configuration include:

Some disadvantages of this B6 arrangement are:


Configuration B7 is similar to Configuration B5 and consists of power panel specifically designed for use with backup generators but sub-fed from your existing panel.  This transfer panel contains two main breakers mechanically interlocked so that only one can be closed at the same time.  As shown in the figure below, this type of panel can be sub-fed from an existing panel.  Essential circuits and their breakers would be moved to this panel.  A portable generator unit outside the building is used to connect to a power inlet receptacle using one heavy duty plug-in extension cord.  When utility power is lost, the two main breakers are transferred to the generator source allowing any or all of the circuits wired to this panel to be energized.  Installation of this configuration does not require that the electric meter be pulled.

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Generator Ratings Utility
Amps
Matching Items Available for Purchase
Watts Amps Generator Cordset Inlet Box Panel
4,500
to
7,500
up to 20A per L1430R outlet
@ 120V and 240V
60 click to go to portable generator catalog RJB10410
PC3010USA
PB30 , PR30, 14302, 14301 TRC0603C,
301060
5,500
to
12,000
up to 50A per 1450R or  outlet
@ 120V/240V
100 click to go to portable generator catalog PC5010 PB50, PR50,
63652, 63651
TRC1005C, 501210
4,500
to
7,500
up to 20A per L1430R outlet
@ 120V and 240V
200 click to go to portable generator catalog RJB10410
PC3010USA
PB30 , PR30, 14302, 14301 TTV2003D, GTL2003D
5,500
to
12,000
up to 50A per 1450R  outlet
@ 120V/240V
200 click to go to portable generator catalog PC5010 PB50, PR50,
63652, 63651
TTV2005D, GTL2005D
15,000
max
up to 60A per 1460R  outlet
@ 120V/240V
200 any generator with appropriately rated receptacle or that can be hard wired special special TTV2006D, GTL2006D
25,000
max
100A per outlet
@ 120V or 240V
200 special special TTV2010D, GTL2010D
30,000
max
125A per outlet
@ 120V or 240V
200 special special TTV2012D, GTL2012D
Many other combinations are possible, especially with special cordsets.

Advantages of this B7 configuration include:

Some disadvantages of this B7 arrangement are:

 

Configuration B8 is similar to Configuration B3 except for an additional drop cord used to connect to the transfer switch.  It consists of locating a portable generator unit outside the building and feeding one heavy duty plug-in extension cord directly to an outdoor power inlet box.  This box is pre-wired to an overhead junction box in the vicinity of the manual transfer switch which is pre-wired to the building electric panel.  A drop cord connects from the junction box to the receptacle on the front of the manual transfer switch.  Again, this type of transfer switch is easily installed by any electrician without pulling the electric meter.  The transfer switch unit has single or double pole two position switches permanently wired to the preselected building circuits that require backup power.

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Generator Ratings Matching Items Available for Purchase
Watts Amps Generator Cordset Inlet Box Drop Cord Switch
2,500
to
5,000
up to 20A per 5-20R outlet @ 120V click to go to portable generator catalog RJB12410 & MOD6-20P PB20 , PR20, 14202, 14201 RJB12405 20216A, 20216, F20216B, F20216
up to 20A per L1420R outlet
@ 120V and 240V
RJB12410
5,500
to
7,500
up to 30A per L1430R outlet
@ 120V and 240V
click to go to portable generator catalog RJB10410
PC3010USA
PB30 , PR30, 14302 or 14301 RJB10405 30216A, 30216, 30508B, 30310A, F30216B, F30508B, F30310B, R30216B, R30310B, TRC0603A
5,500 - 7,500 30 amp outlets For simpler 30 amp installation we recommend hard wired configuration B3 to eliminate drop cord and junction box
Many other combinations are possible, especially if you make up a special cordset.

Advantages of this B8 configuration include:

Some disadvantages of this B8 arrangement are:


Configuration B9 shows the case where the electric load center panel is located outdoors.  In this application an outdoor transfer switch can be conveniently located adjacent to the panel and used similar to B2 and B3.  A portable generator unit outside the building feeds one heavy duty plug-in extension cord directly to this manual transfer switch which is pre-wired to the outdoor building electric panel.  Again, this type of transfer switch is easily installed by any electrician without pulling the electric meter.  The transfer switch unit has single or double pole two position switches permanently wired to the preselected building circuits that require backup power.

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Generator Ratings Matching Items Available for Purchase
Watts Amps Generator Cordset Switch
2,500
to
5,000
up to 20A per 5-20R outlet @ 120V click to go to portable generator catalog RJB12410 & MOD6-20P R20216B
up to 20A per L1420R outlet
@ 120V and 240V
PC2010
4,500
to
7,500
up to 30A per L1430R outlet
@ 120V and 240V
click to go to portable generator catalog PC3010 R30216B or  R30310B
Many other combinations are possible, especially if you make up a special cordset.

Advantages of this B9 configuration include:

Some disadvantages of this B9 arrangement are:

 

 

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