Generator Transfer switch location

8/1/2018 at 8:52:40 PM

Hi Kevin .

You should make your frame bigger and fit the TS inside box.

If you are hiring experienced electrian they know where is the best place to be installed -

Regard ,

Sam

Intell

8/1/2018 at 10:40:17 PM

Hello Kevin

We install a lot of generators and to the best of my knowledge Reliance products are not approved for use in Canada. Unless there has been a recent change, their products do not bear the CSA or the CUL symbols that are approved for use in Canada. Since we operate in the Niagara Region, we see a lot of USA stuff not approved for use in Canada.

Having said that, the 18 limit is suggested because that is the length of the preinstalled whip that come with the kit. There are no electrical reasons for the kit to need to be 18 from your panel.

Before calling in a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC), make sure both the kit and the documentation bears the correct markings for approval in Canada. As a side note, just because it was bought in Canada, does not mean it is approved for use in Canada, but I am guessing it was bought in the states.

John Kuehnl-Cadwell

Master Electrician

Datawise Solutions Inc

8/2/2018 at 12:34:36 AM

This is the transfer switch I would like to have installed. As per the website and picture of the box I see cUL 1008 listed. I will assume this means it meets Canadian electrical standards.

Will most electricians help me cut out a bigger frame for the transfer switch install or is that something I have to do myself?

8/3/2018 at 5:05:06 PM

Hi Kevin

As long as the actual equipment is stamped cUL and the documentation has the same information you should be good to go. I personally have never seen a Reliance product approved for use here in Canada, but truth be told, I have never bought one either; just have seen what other people have purchased.

As far as install, that is something to discuss when the Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) come to provide an estimate for you. In general you have to compare service between the LECs; so one may be charging you more because they are thinking about opening up the wall, installing insulation, providing vapour barrier, while the next may not be.

A couple of other points to consider, electricians are generally the most expensive trade to deal with, so if you are going to get them to do non-electrical work , you will likely be paying electrical rate . The second point, like any trade, they are not pros at drywall, framing, painting, etc. If quality is an issue, then you might want to call in the proper trade for that other stuff.

What we normally do is ask if the client wants to deal with the repairs or wants us to deal with them. In either case, if they want us to deal with them (one-stop-shop), we tell them that we will get one of our general contractors to fix it up for them and bill them directly.

On a separate, but related note, be sure to get the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) inspect the work when completed; which is done through the LEC. Some LECs may indicate that this does not need to be inspected or they self inspect because they are a member of the Authorized Contractor Program (ACP). All generator work must be inspected by the ESA regardless if you are an ACP or not.

Cheers

John Kuehnl-Cadwell

Master Electrician

Datawise Solutions Inc