Home Back-Up and 80A EVSE Missing at Launch

[Maquis]

This is what I'm thinking too. It would feed back to a 100A panel which powers my "essential" services and which has a manual cutoff switch to isolate it from the main 200A panel. Would this be illegal too?

It’s not illegal if you have a breaker interlock. You basically have two, 100A breakers feeding your panel. They are interlocked such that only one can be on at a time.

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[LightningShow]

This is what I'm thinking too. It would feed back to a 100A panel which powers my "essential" services and which has a manual cutoff switch to isolate it from the main 200A panel. Would this be illegal too?

i don’t know NEC by heart but pretty sure the answer is yes. You need a transfer switch that disconnects the main feed at the same time that it opens the generator feed. The house I'm in already had an automatic transfer switch when I moved in but in my last house I set up a transfer switch for my portable generator. You can get a relatively inexpensive manual transfer switch that meets code. It shouldn't be that expensive to get installed either.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Relianc...-Generator-Transfer-Switch-TCA1006D/202216484

 

[mmcguirk]

i don’t know NEC by heart but pretty sure the answer is yes. You need a transfer switch that disconnects the main feed at the same time that it opens the generator feed. The house I'm in already had an automatic transfer switch when I moved in but in my last house I set up a transfer switch for my portable generator. You can get a relatively inexpensive manual transfer switch that meets code. It shouldn't be that expensive to get installed either.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Relianc...-Generator-Transfer-Switch-TCA1006D/202216484

This is what I have inside my panel... it is an either/or switch to allow generator/grid to power the panel.

 

[LightningShow]

Yup, same idea. I don't know what types are officially legal under current code but conceptually that does what is required to make it safe.

 

[adoublee]

It’s not illegal if you have a breaker interlock. You basically have two, 100A breakers feeding your panel. They are interlocked such that only one can be on at a time.

He can't feed his charger if the interlock is in place...

 

[Maquis]

Yup, same idea. I don't know what types are officially legal under current code but conceptually that does what is required to make it safe.

Breaker interlocks like the one pictured are NEC-compliant. As long as the setup is UL listed by the manufacturer,it’s fine.
What you can’t do is cobble up something home grown, or intermingle components from different manufacturers.

 

[Maquis]

He can't feed his charger if the interlock is in place...

Correct - that’s also true if you used a transfer switch. What we‘re missing is exactly how the Ford equipment functions. It will likely require a separate AC circuit for EVSE power and backup power. The circuit for backup power won’t need to be nearly as large as EVSE power. All we can do at this point is speculate until more technical data is made available.

 

[hturnerfamily]

I'll just use the tried and true method of accessing the 240v 30amp outlet at the rear of the truck for 'whole house' powering - if every needed... and use the 'interlock' method shown in this episode of "Ask This Old House"...

 

[Nick Gerteis]

I'll just use the tried and true method of accessing the 240v 30amp outlet at the rear of the truck for 'whole house' powering - if every needed... and use the 'interlock' method shown in this episode of "Ask This Old House"...

I guess even “this old house “ has a EV in the garage, as evidenced by the Clipper Creek EVSE in the background. Heck yeah!

 

[jefro]

That show is on the second floor of an old barn. I do recall seeing one of the shows that had that EVSE. Maybe more than one.

TOS shows one way to rig a generator of course. They do make 100A and 200A transfer switches. The 80A install would include some sort of ABT/MBT.

 

[Tony Burgh]

I'll just use the tried and true method of accessing the 240v 30amp outlet at the rear of the truck for 'whole house' powering - if every needed... and use the 'interlock' method shown in this episode of "Ask This Old House"...

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
Second setup is EXACTLY what I have installed, down to the Murray panel and Siemens mechanical interlock.

 

[beatle]

Bringing this back up as I've considered the same thing, however I've also learned that that bonded neutral of the truck will play havoc with its GFCI as it is connected to the home panel via a backfed breaker.

 

[adoublee]

Bringing this back up as I've considered the same thing, however I've also learned that that bonded neutral of the truck will play havoc with its GFCI as it is connected to the home panel via a backfed breaker.

You would "just" need to lift the N-G bond in the panel and you'd be off to the races. Not something you want to take lightly but if this is for the SHTF I would say go for it, test it once to prove it out, and hope your charged when the power goes out

 

[Maquis]

You would "just" need to lift the N-G bond in the panel and you'd be off to the races.

In some cases, this isn’t possible, and in most others, it’s not advisable.

 

[adoublee]

In some cases, this isn’t possible, and in most others, it’s not advisable.

Certainly not if there is a potential they remain disconnected when connected to the grid. But it is the way to make the truck happily feed the house.

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