Farmer Fred

[Farmer Fred]

I have been given a Diesel electric /start 3 Kw generator and now need a changeover switch fitting between the main fuse and the consumer unit.
I have purchased a two position switch ie Mains/Generator but when I asked a local electrician to fit the switch he said I must have a Three position switch ie Mains/Nutral/Generator,
The supplier I purchased the switch from says he sells many two position switches and has never heard of this regulation, who is correct please???.
cheers Fred.

 

[Darkwood]

Welcome to the forum Farmer Fred, I have approved your thread for a faster response in the main forum, when admin' is next online you may fine you have been given relocated and your status changed, this will not effect any posts already made.

 

[malcolmsanford]

you may find that the sparks is correct if he is working the the BS 7671.

Reg 551.6.1 part (iii) requires a 3 position break before make switch.

I maybe wrong though I don't have a great deal of generator experience.

 

[jimjimjim]

Break before make, the electrician is correct. You'll also need a bucket to collect all the worms when you open the can, due to possible factors such as earthing, breaking the neutral at the same time as the line, operation of RCDs, floating earths, PEN conductors and creation of your own tn-c-s system.

Good luck!

Jim

 

[ian.settle1]

A 3kW generator will not power much so it is not a good idea to use it to supply your consumer unit

 

[HandySparks]

A 3kW generator will not power much so it is not a good idea to use it to supply your consumer unit

It's a lot better than nothing. If the power quality is OK, then it'll certainly do CH pump, gas boiler and controls, freezer, fridge and some lighting. Most of the time my house load is less than 1kW. It's only the cooking appliances, washing machine, etc that push it up.

 

[davesparks]

Break before make, the electrician is correct. You'll also need a bucket to collect all the worms when you open the can, due to possible factors such as earthing, breaking the neutral at the same time as the line, operation of RCDs, floating earths, PEN conductors and creation of your own tn-c-s system.

Good luck!

Jim

You're creating a TNS system with a generator rather than TNCS

 

[PEG]

Also,if connected up-front,what it could power,will not be the same as what it would.

The missus would test that theory,as she forgot output spec,and clicked the 10 kW shower on...

Sometimes i reckon it is simpler to either accept "true" emergency methods,and lead it to what is important,or have a genuine stand-by facility,which is capable of full use independence.

 

[Farmer Fred]

I seem to have sparked a bit of interest, if you will excuse the pun.
Thanks very much for the answers to date.
I agree with ian.settle1 but also my idea was with HandySparks as I have oil fired central heating and no other form of heat.
Three Kw will run my heating, Fridges and a few lights.
The generator is electrically voltage stabilised and has an overload trip, so no problem with a 10 Kw shower, just back to the darkness.
once again many thanks.
Fred

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The generator is electricaly voltage stable and has an