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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Advantages of this B1 configuration include:

• simplicity
  
• economy
  
• transfer switches not required since no connection to the building electrical system is made
  

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

• an open window or door to the outside is required which allows possible entry of weather, insects, rodents and generator noise
  
• all appliances must be connected using multiple extension cords
  
• time is required to run and connect all the necessary extension cords before power can be made available
  
• may be impractical to power larger 240V loads such as well pump, water heater, range, etc.

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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Advantages of this B2 configuration include:

• easy to install
  
• only one heavy duty extension cord required
  
• transfer switch used to make connections to the necessary circuits of the building electrical system
  
• some larger 240V electrical loads can be powered
  
• transfer switch prevents any dangerous backfeed to the utility
  
• the transfer switch may have metering allowing the monitoring and balancing of the electrical load to protect the generator from overload or damage
  
• backup power is available quickly since there is no need for multiple extension cords
  

Some disadvantages of this B2 arrangement are:

• an open window or door to the outside is required which allows possible entry of weather, insects, rodents and generator noise and fumes
  
• a limited number of circuits can be hard wired and powered
  
• each circuit must be limited to 15 or 20 amps

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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image to enlarge

Advantages of this B3 configuration include:

• easy to install
  
• only one heavy duty extension cord required
  
• transfer switch used to make connections to the necessary circuits of the building electrical system
  
• some larger 240V electrical loads can be powered
  
• transfer switch prevents any dangerous backfeed to the utility
  
• the transfer switch may have metering allowing the monitoring and balancing of the electrical load to protect the generator from overload or damage
  
• backup power is available quickly since there is no need for multiple extension cords
  
• connections to portable generator are made outdoors, eliminating the need for an open door or window
  

Some disadvantages of this B3 arrangement are:

• a limited number of circuits can be hard wired and powered
  
• each circuit must be limited to 15 or 20 amps

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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Advantages of this B4 configuration include:

• only one heavy duty extension cord required
  
• transfer switch used to make connections to the building electrical system
  
• larger 240V electrical loads can be powered, limited only by the size of the generator
  
• any or all building circuits can be energized since the building's main panel is energized, (limited only by the size of the generator)
  
• transfer switch prevents any dangerous backfeed to the utility
  
• backup power is available quickly since there is no need for multiple extension cords
  
• additional service entrance main disconnect allows deenergization of the transfer switch in the unlikely event maintenance is needed on the transfer switch.  (Otherwise, the meter would have to be pulled.)
  
• no open window or door to the outside is required
  

Some disadvantages of this B4 arrangement are:

• transfer switch cost due to fact it must be selected for the full current rating of building service
  
• additional service entrance main disconnect cost
  
• installation cost
  

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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image to enlarge

Advantages of this B5 configuration include:

• only one heavy duty extension cord required
  
• transfer panel used to make connections to the building electrical system
  
• larger 240V electrical loads can be powered, limited only by the size of the generator
  
• any building circuits that are connected to the transfer panel can be energized , (limited only by the size of the generator)
  
• transfer switch prevents any dangerous backfeed to the utility
  
• backup power is available quickly since there is no need for multiple extension cords
  
• no open window or door to the outside is required
  

Some disadvantages of this B5 arrangement are:

• meter must be pulled for installation
  
• slightly more wiring time involved than with the prewired transfer switches

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:

• only one heavy duty extension cord required
  
• transfer switch used to make connections to the building electrical system
  
• larger 240V electrical loads can be powered, limited only by the size of the generator
  
• any or all building circuits can be energized since the building's main panel is energized, (limited only by the size of the generator)
  
• transfer switch prevents any dangerous backfeed to the utility
  
• backup power is available quickly since there is no need for multiple extension cords
  
• no open window or door to the outside is required
  

Some disadvantages of this B6 arrangement are:

• transfer switch cost since it must be fully rated to match the service ampere rating and must be classified as service entrance equipment
  
• installation cost
  

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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image to enlarge

Advantages of this B7 configuration include:

• only one heavy duty extension cord required
  
• transfer panel used to make connections to the building electrical system
  
• larger 240V electrical loads can be powered, limited only by the size of the generator
  
• any building circuits that are connected to the transfer panel can be energized , (limited only by the size of the generator)
  
• transfer switch prevents any dangerous backfeed to the utility
  
• backup power is available quickly since there is no need for multiple extension cords
  
• no open window or door to the outside is required
  
• meter does not need to be pulled for installation
  

Some disadvantages of this B7 arrangement are:

• slightly more wiring time involved than with the prewired transfer switches
  

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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image to enlarge

Advantages of this B8 configuration include:

• easy to install
  
• only two heavy duty extension cords required
  
• transfer switch used to make connections to the necessary circuits of the building electrical system
  
• some larger 240V electrical loads can be powered
  
• transfer switch prevents any dangerous backfeed to the utility
  
• the transfer switch may have metering allowing the monitoring and balancing of the electrical load to protect the generator from overload or damage
  
• backup power is available quickly since there is no need for many separate extension cords
  
• connections to portable generator are made outdoors, eliminating the need for an open door or window
  
• a smallest six circuit transfer switch can be used that has the inlet receptacle on the cover and is not suitable for hard wiring
  

Some disadvantages of this B8 arrangement are:

• a limited number of circuits can be hard wired and powered
  
• each circuit must be limited to 15 or 20 amps
  
• an additional junction box and drop cord are required that are not needed for configuration B3 (which means slightly more expense and time to install)
  

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.

Click on thumbnail
image to enlarge

Advantages of this B9 configuration include:

• easy to install
  
• only one heavy duty extension cord required
  
• transfer switch used to make connections to the necessary circuits of the building electrical system
  
• some larger 240V electrical loads can be powered
  
• transfer switch prevents any dangerous backfeed to the utility
  
• the transfer switch may have metering allowing the monitoring and balancing of the electrical load to protect the generator from overload or damage
  
• backup power is available quickly since there is no need for multiple extension cords
  
• connections to portable generator are made outdoors, eliminating the need for an open door or window, or inlet box
  
• short cord can be used if generator is located near transfer switch
  
• transfer switch can be locked closed, preventing unauthorized switching of circuits
  

Some disadvantages of this B9 arrangement are:

• a limited number of circuits can be hard wired and powered
  
• each circuit must be limited to 15 or 20 amps

 

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