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Generlink
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Posted by joe_cnc (My Page) on Fri, Jul 3, 09 at 3:08
| I would like to know if there are any linesmen out there or anyone else in the electrical field who have an opinion on Generlink.I have done a ton of research trying to figure out how I could responsibly hook up a generator and meet NEC and any other code provisions.My #1 concern was safety for any and all on a very strict budget.I am calling generlink tomorrow to see the price they will qoute me.I have allready seen what others claim they charge but I just want to find out for myself.Supposedly the local power company installs it.I ask at what price?From the prices i've seen people claim they pay, it seems their not to interested in the installer's or the linemen.What do you think?I'll tell you what I think after I get their qoute and it doesn't look good.I hope to GOD I am wrong in what my gut instinct tells me. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Generlink
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| There are two important code issues. The first is the interlock to protect backfeeding pwoer to the grid, potentially hurting utility workers. The second is the general load safety of the generator. For the first either you keep your generator-driven loads completely separate: run extension cords to the generator or some sort of switch or interlock to keep the generator and the mains from being connected to each other. The second applies mostly to automatic transfer switches. Your generator needs to be large enough to drive all the automatically switched loads. You do this either by having one big honking generator (like me) or you put only a subset of your full house on the switched side of the transfer. On a manual transfer switch, it's easier because they expect that you'll be smart enough to send the load of the things you don't need to power with the generator before starting it. If your power company will offer the switch as a service (sounds pretty progressive to me) see what they can offer as well as consulting local independent electricians and those affiliated with the generator dealers. |
RE: Generlink
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| My vantage point for this posting which I didn't make clear but only infered was if the major utilities approve of this automatic transfer switch and will even install it why is the price so high.I know every business exists to make money the point being if the above regarding the utilities is true then they are inadvertantly endorsing the product and its cost.Generlink estimated my installation for the base model at $650 not including tax,permits or inspection fee's.Now this isn't all that high for a ats.My point was that if your even going to remotely endorse a product such as this the price is still to high for the major public.If endorsing a product for safety rational shouldn't that product be priced to entice those who who's funds are limited.My rational being it's people who can't afford the service which mostly caused the backfeeding of the grid problem in the first place.If the utilities inadvertantly endorse a high priced product such as generlink that tells me how much they value the lives of their own employees!My thought path being if the utilities are concerned about the welfare of their workers why not offer a product that is simple and affordable to the consumer.utility workers can blame the the ignorant people who backfeed the grid but I ask what about their own employer's responsability!Whats a life worth nowdays? The utility companies ask their insurance carriers who anilize the ratio of deaths per cost and charge the companies accordingly.A low cost safety product from the utilities woudn't generate(pardon the pun)enough profit to facilitate the manufacting of said safety product.So again I ask whats a life worth and do you really think the utility company really cares? It all comes down to profit's,dollar's(please exuse the pun)and sense. |
RE: Generlink
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| The price is high because the only competing product is a conventional 200A transfer switch. A "cheap" 200A switch is priced about the same as the Generlink device, and higher quality switches are even more expensive (A 200 A ASCO 300 is about $1700). Utilities care about lineman safety, on going training and a set of jumpers to ground lines while they are repaired serve that purpose nicely. They are going to do that anyway, even if every customer had a transfer switch. If it burns up a backfeeding generator, too bad. I have to agree that it would be nice if a good 200A transfer switch could be had for much less. I just don't expect that to happen anytime soon. |
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