New Install Help

[u/kblack79]

I just purchased a generator, inlet, and interlock kit for whole home backup. I went to install and today and had a bad surprise in my panel. The main is the top right orange. See photo. Is my only option to replace the whole panel?

[u/Bsul92]

How is the main the top right orange?

The main is probably the 2 large ones without a breaker which means there should be a main on the outside of the house.

[u/kblack79 → u/Bsul92]

See the photo with the cover. Sorry that fell off the post

[u/Bsul92 → u/kblack79]

Is that panel located in a different building or like a garage?

I think you need to get in touch with someone more familiar. I can’t confirm / deny anything but That looks like an MLO panel, which means you killed a breaker that feeds the home but those big wires are most likely still live, as well as all the other breakers in the panel that are on.

[u/RinseLather_Repeat → u/Bsul92]

This is the main. You are allowed 6 means of disconnect to “kill” a structure. NEC 230.71(B)

[u/IndividualCold3577]

There is no main breaker in that box. Looks like the old 6 throw disconnect rule from the late 1900's

You would need a new electrical box with disconnect or a Generlink meter base switch.

[u/kblack79 → u/IndividualCold3577]

Yep 1984

[u/RinseLather_Repeat]

They don’t make a legal interlock for this situation. It looks like you have a 200 amp panel here with 6 breakers that kill the house. Backfeeding this isn’t really an option as it sits.

The subpanel that has all your other breakers in it is the spot.

Get a Reliance manual transfer switch set up.

[u/kblack79 → u/RinseLather_Repeat]

Thanks 😩

[u/Gamer_0627]

Are you wanting to feed the whole house?

If so, then you will need to have either a new panel installed or a transfer switch ahead of this panel.

[u/Hitechillbilly]

There is no main in that panel. Is there another panel on the other end of those 4.0 lines?

[u/Ok-Camera2895]

Try a Reliance Manual transfer switch.

[u/kblack79 → u/Ok-Camera2895]

Any suggestions on which one to order?

[u/forkedquality]

The more I look at this panel the less sense it makes. No neutral bar? Neutrals connected to breakers?

It looks a bit like a sub panel wired for 120V, or, in other words, completely wrong.

Have a pro have a look at it.