Transpanel Guide

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The following text and figures are from the GenTraco Transpanel Installation Guide.  This guide does not cover the Gen/Tran^® transfer switches.  See the separate instructions for that product line.

GenTraco Transpanel Installation Guide

NOTE: THE GENTRACO MANUAL TRANSFER PANEL SHOULD BE INSTALLED BY A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN FAMILIAR WITH ALL APPLICABLE ELECTRICAL AND BUILDING CODES.

The GenTraco Transpanel is designed to provide a safe and simple method of powering designated branch circuits from a portable generator in the event of a utility power outage or emergency. The patented mechanical interlock between the two pole breakers feeding the panel bus prevents feedback by prohibiting the GENERATOR SUPPLY breaker and the UTILITY SUPPLY breaker from being "ON" at the same time.

These panels allow a homeowner to selectively power up any number or combination of branch circuit breakers wired into the panel, up to the capacity of the generator.

INSTALLING THE GENTRACO MANUAL TRANSFER PANEL
Generally, the transfer panel should be located next to the main load center (circuit breaker or fuse box).

1. Install a large diameter nipple (2 inch trade size recommended) between the two panels. If the main load center does not have a sub-feed lugs, a circuit breaker must be installed in the same load center that is the same ampacity as the Utility Supply breaker in the transfer panel.
   
2. Run the proper ampacity wire between the two breakers.
   
3. Run an insulated neutral wire from the neutral bars in both panels.
   
4. If a non-metallic nipple was used in Step 1, then a ground wire must be run from the neutral bars or ground terminal if separate from the neutral bar.
   
5. The installer has the option of removing the selected branch circuit wire from the main panel and reinstalling them in the transfer panel and connecting to the same ampacity breaker as before, OR leaving the branch circuit wires in the main panel and running the proper size wire from the transfer panel breaker to the circuit conductor in the main panel.
   
6. Remove the circuit conductor from the main panel circuit breaker and "wire-nutted" to the wire coming from the transfer panel. This step must be done for each circuit transferred to the transfer panel.

All GenTraco transfer panels are UL Listed with Siemens, Square D (HOM type), GE, Challenger, and Westinghouse circuit breakers, however, other 1 -inch and 1/2 inch interchangeable breakers will generally fit. If the main panel has these interchangeable 1-inch type breakers, they can be relocated to the transfer panel, HOWEVER, the cover in the main panel MUST be fitted with blanks over the holes created by removing the breakers.

Continued...

 

 

KEY COMPONENTS OF THE GENTRACO TRANSFER PANEL
POWER INPUT SELECTOR BREAKERS: These double-pole breakers allow the selection of either the "Utility Supply" or "Generator Supply" as the power source for all of the circuits in the transfer panel. The patented interlocking mechanism prevents both of these breakers from being 'ON" at the same time.

BRANCH CIRCUIT BREAKERS: These installer-furnished circuit breakers are of the 1 -inch or Y2-inch interchangeable style, and can be I - or 2-pole up to the ampacity of the generator. Example: Installing a 2-pole 30 amp breaker for a water heater will use up the entire capacity of a 7500 watt continuous duty generator. Therefore, all other circuits would have to be turned off when the water heater is running. All of the breakers can be "ON" when in the 'Utility Power" mode and selectively "ON" or "OFF" in the generator mode.

The GenTraco Transfer Panel will accommodate up to 12 full-size 1 -inch breakers or a combination of up to 4 full-size 1 -inch breakers and 16 half-size breakers.

WATTMETERS:

	The models ending with the letter "A" are equipped with wattmeters up to the rating of the generator breaker.
	Where the last numerical digit in the catalog number is "3", the meter is designed for up to a 7500 watt generator.
	Where the last numerical digit is "5", the meter is designed for a generator up to 12,500 watts.
	The panels with the "D" suffix are designed for hard-wiring directly to a permanently installed generator.
	Where the last numerical digit of the item is "6", the panel will handle up to a 15,000 watt generator.

EXERCISING YOUR GENERATOR
To ensure that your generator is ready when you need it, you should "exercise" the generator regularly. "Exercising" means running it "with a load" on a weekly or monthly basis. Be sure the fuel is always fresh and full. Use the instructions below for exercising.

TRANSFERRING FROM UTILITY POWER TO GENERATOR POWER:

1. Move 'Utility Supply" circuit breaker in transfer panel to the "OFF" position.
   
2. Move all branch circuit breaker handles to the "OFF" position.
   
3. Move "Generator Supply' circuit breaker to the "ON" position.
   
4. If a cord-connected model, plug into the generator and power inlet on transfer panel.
   
5. Start the generator, following the procedures described in the generator's owners manual.
   
6. Select the circuits to be powered by the generator by turning "ON" the corresponding circuit breaker. Alternate use of larger loads such as furnace motors, well pumps, freezers, etc. so that the capacity of the generator is not exceeded. Do NOT attempt to operate any loads in excess of the capacity of the generator.

 

TRANSFERRING FROM GENERATOR POWER BACK TO UTILITY POWER:

1. Follow the procedures in the generator manual to turn off generator.
   
2. Unplug power cord, if it is a cord-connected model.
   
3. Move 'Generator Supply' circuit breaker handle to "OFF" position.
   
4. Move 'Utility Supply" circuit breaker handle to "ON" position.
   
5. Turn all branch circuit breakers in the transfer panel to "ON" position.

NOTE ON MALE POWER INLET ON "A" SUFFIX MODELS:
Models with "3" as the last numerical digit have a 30 amp L1430 NEMA configuration.
Models with "5" as the last numerical digit have a 50 amp 125/250V locking configuration, 4-wire.

Contact GenTran Corporation at 1-888-GEN-TRAN for availability and catalog numbers.

 

 

 

IMPORTANT: Wiring instructions for model numbers ending in suffix "C", with wattmeters and no power inlet.

6250 watt (50 amp) meters: Wires leading to the "generator supply" double pole circuit breaker must be looped through the meter transformers.

Locate the transformers on the back side of the meter panel. Removal of the four slotted panel mounting screws may be necessary. The wires from the generator to the "generator supply" circuit breaker feeding the main bus must pass through the openings on each side of the transformer coil. The wire feeding the left panel bus circuits should pass through the left transformer and the wire feeding the right panel bus circuits should pass through the right transformer. Replace the meter panel after wiring. The meters will now register when the wires carry sufficient current.