Inverter bypass switching - Inverter or Generator powering t

My situation is this: I am moving my batteries, inverter, etc from the house to a shed near the solar and wind location. This is approx. 110 feet from the house.
-10KW Diesel generator will hook to the AC IN 2 (generator) input of a Trace 4024. -AC output of the inverter will go through "direct bury" rated 4/0 cable to the house.
I need to provide a switching system that allows me to have the generator output connect directly to the house if I have to remove the inverter for some reason.
The connection from the inverter AC out would have to be removed from the house feed. The generator AC out would have to be disconnected from the inverters generator input and connected to the house feed.
It would be prefferable if this could be a "One Motion" act. I don't see how!
Does anyone have any ideas for a circuit, or a product that would handle this?

wrote in message

My situation is this: I am moving my batteries, inverter, etc from the house to a shed near the solar and wind location. This is approx. 110 feet from the house.
-10KW Diesel generator will hook to the AC IN 2 (generator) input of a Trace 4024. -AC output of the inverter will go through "direct bury" rated 4/0 cable to the house.
I need to provide a switching system that allows me to have the generator output connect directly to the house if I have to remove the inverter for some reason.
The connection from the inverter AC out would have to be removed from the house feed. The generator AC out would have to be disconnected from the inverters generator input and connected to the house feed.
It would be prefferable if this could be a "One Motion" act. I don't see how!
Does anyone have any ideas for a circuit, or a product that would handle this?

It seems to me that the Trace 4024 has built-in load diversion circuitry. It will automatically divert generator power through the device to your house, and assisting the generator if required, for high current draws such as heavy startup loads. While the generator is running, the inverter will continue to charge batteries and monitor line load. If the generator stops for some reason, the inverter will take over in 32 milliseconds or less, according to their online information.
Now, if you must physically remove the inverter for some reason, you will need a separate automatic transfer switch installed between your house load panel and your two power sources: the inverter and the generator. An automatic transfer switch draws from a primary source of power until it fails, and then switches to the secondary source automatically. If you choose this option, you must not connect the generator directly to the inverter, only to the automatic transfer switch. I suppose you could give yourself the option to do either, if you wish.
If both sources are operational, and you have your transfer switch set up with your inverter as the primary source, the moment you shut off or disconnect your inverter, the automatic transfer switch will immediately pull power from your secondary power source which would be your generator.

On 9 Jun 2006 09:32:53 -0700, fcrumpler@cityofsunrise.org wrote:

My situation is this: I am moving my batteries, inverter, etc from the house to a shed near the solar and wind location. This is approx. 110 feet from the house.
-10KW Diesel generator will hook to the AC IN 2 (generator) input of a Trace 4024. -AC output of the inverter will go through "direct bury" rated 4/0 cable to the house.

Do you have some expansion in mind, or do you mean #4?

I need to provide a switching system that allows me to have the generator output connect directly to the house if I have to remove the inverter for some reason.
The connection from the inverter AC out would have to be removed from the house feed. The generator AC out would have to be disconnected from the inverters generator input and connected to the house feed.
It would be prefferable if this could be a "One Motion" act. I don't see how!
Does anyone have any ideas for a circuit, or a product that would handle this?

Simple and practical - socket on generator supply cord, plug on cord to inverter AC input. Matching socket on inverter AC output cord, plug on (short?) cord going to AC breaker panel. About $60 in parts from Home Depot. Anytime the inverter is removed, put the remaining plug into the remaining socket. You'd still need tools to deal with the battery cables though. Are you sure it's worth the effort? In ten years of owning a pair of those inverters I haven't needed the capability you're after. Should it come up I'll just make a temporary patch cord.
Wayne

wrote in message

-AC output of the inverter will go through "direct bury" rated 4/0 cable to the house.

There is nothing wrong with direct bury cable, but think ahead (water? Irrigation? Phone? TV? Air? More Power cables? Control cables? DC Power? Data? Gas? Etc.?) and drop some PVC in that ditch while you are at it. Ditches are expensive and a PITA, PVC is cheap.
Vaughn

On 9 Jun 2006 09:32:53 -0700, fcrumpler@cityofsunrise.org wrote:

My situation is this: I am moving my batteries, inverter, etc from the house to a shed near the solar and wind location. This is approx. 110 feet from the house.
-10KW Diesel generator will hook to the AC IN 2 (generator) input of a Trace 4024. -AC output of the inverter will go through "direct bury" rated 4/0 cable to the house.
I need to provide a switching system that allows me to have the generator output connect directly to the house if I have to remove the inverter for some reason.
The connection from the inverter AC out would have to be removed from the house feed. The generator AC out would have to be disconnected from the inverters generator input and connected to the house feed.
It would be prefferable if this could be a "One Motion" act. I don't see how!
Does anyone have any ideas for a circuit, or a product that would handle this?

One of the companies that makes switches makes what is called a bypass breaker type switch. It is a pair of switches with a mechanical link between them such that only one can be on at any given time.
Trace (xantrex) should be able to send you a proper wiring diagram. I'd send you mine, but it's for a double inverter setup.
-- ron (off the grid in Downeast Maine)

I appreciate all the help. On further reflection, I have decided that the failure rate topic that was mentioed here shows that I probably am over reacting. I think that a situation that would require the removal of the inverter is rare enough that I can handle it when it come up. I am planning to bury 1" poly irrigation pipe with the 4/0 aluminum main feed. I will be running two CAT 5 cables to handle any signaling or control issues.
Thank you all again.
Forest Crumpler

In article , fcrumpler@cityofsunrise.org wrote:

I appreciate all the help. On further reflection, I have decided that the failure rate topic that was mentioed here shows that I probably am over reacting. I think that a situation that would require the removal of the inverter is rare enough that I can handle it when it come up. I am planning to bury 1" poly irrigation pipe with the 4/0 aluminum main feed. I will be running two CAT 5 cables to handle any signaling or control issues.
Thank you all again.
Forest Crumpler

You may want to check the NEC in your area, but running Low voltage cables, in the same conduit with High voltage cables, is a NO-NO.....

"You" wrote in message

You may want to check the NEC in your area, but running Low voltage cables, in the same conduit with High voltage cables, is a NO-NO.....

That is not my understanding of what he is doing. The power cable is direct bury. Assuming normal voltages, it is perfectly OK to have power and low voltage in the same trench. I went over this same point with an electrical engineer just this week.
Vaughn

In article , "Vaughn Simon" wrote:

"You" wrote in message
You may want to check the NEC in your area, but running Low voltage cables, in the same conduit with High voltage cables, is a NO-NO.....
That is not my understanding of what he is doing. The power cable is direct bury. Assuming normal voltages, it is perfectly OK to have power and low voltage in the same trench. I went over this same point with an electrical engineer just this week.
Vaughn

In the same ditch, Yes, in the same conduit, NO....

"You" wrote in message

You may want to check the NEC in your area, but running Low voltage cables, in the same conduit with High voltage cables, is a NO-NO.....
That is not my understanding of what he is doing. The power cable is direct bury. Assuming normal voltages, it is perfectly OK to have power and low voltage in the same trench. I went over this same point with an electrical engineer just this week.
Vaughn

In the same ditch, Yes, in the same conduit, NO....

Exactly.
As has been written several times now, (literally spelled out) the power cable is direct buried. That means it is NOT in the conduit, and therefore low voltage and high voltage are not sharing the same conduit.
Vaughn

Vaughn Simon wrote:

"You" wrote in message
You may want to check the NEC in your area, but running Low voltage cables, in the same conduit with High voltage cables, is a NO-NO.....
That is not my understanding of what he is doing. The power cable is direct bury. Assuming normal voltages, it is perfectly OK to have power and low voltage in the same trench. I went over this same point with an electrical engineer just this week.
Vaughn

In the same ditch, Yes, in the same conduit, NO....
Exactly.
As has been written several times now, (literally spelled out) the power cable is direct buried. That means it is NOT in the conduit, and therefore low voltage and high voltage are not sharing the same conduit.
Vaughn
It is the insulation value of the wire that counts and not the voltage

of the wire. As long as the insulation of the wire meets or exceeds the high voltage rating, it is allowed in the same conduit. Typically rated for 600v to accept 480v circuits.
-- James Storm aka Stormy Weather jstorm@ptd.net