Cost for Interlock Switch for Generator

[cj7zrcool]

WOW...........I can't believe these quotes. I'm an electrical contractor and have been in business since 1981. I''ve installed hundreds of generators. This is cost of materials for what you want

Main breaker Interlock kit............................................... .................................................. .........$75.00 to $150.00...........[depending on your type of breaker box]

2 pole, 50 amp breaker........................................... .................................................. .................$25.00..........[your builder probably put this breaker in, when he ran the circuit].....he shouild have

Run circuit from the breaker box to the jbox.............................................. ...................................$0.00.......... your builder has already done this

Replace the JBox with a generator plug.............................................. ......................................$150.00..... this is the cost of the plug and a 15' generator cord...[to run from the plug to the generator]

These are actual cost of materials........

Allow 3 hrs labor, and mark-up on materials,...................you should pay a maximum of $800.00 for the complete install.

What's you business location?

[Bucknaked]

I guess I got a deal. Electrician came and installed the plug and ran the wire into the panel along with the dedicated switch to turn off main breaker etc…. Set it up so it would be impossible to back feed the line. Also put in a surge protector all for about $1000. Bought the portable generator, Champion, along with the power cord on Amazon. Will run the whole house basically. I have 2 ac units and it will only run one at a time and the double oven might tax it as well. All things I don’t need. Plug it in and I have lights, internet, one AC, and all my freezers and refrigerators. Got the dual fuel generator

I did this my own self yesterday and I’m not electrically inclined but I’ve messed with it a bit and respect it! All in with the interlock, 50 amp breaker, wiring, electrical pvc and fittings, plug in box, 20 ft 50 amp cord I spent $349 all in with quality parts. YouTube is your friend or can be!
My panel is outside so I didn’t have to run anything through walls and I only needed 8” of pvc conduit from main box to plug in box.

if you have no space in your panel and have to replace it then that cost will eat your lunch Especially with a certed Electrician .

[Joe H]

Good deal

[twistedmidnite]

I went the cheap route. I bought a outdoor 50 amp generator plug and cable from Amazon, 4 foot of 6 gauge wire and a 50amp breaker from home depot. Ran the wire thru the wall to the 50 amp breaker and to the generator plug mounter on the outside of the house. When the power goes out I kill the main and all breakers In the panel, plug up the generator outside and backfeed the 50 amp breaker in the panel, turn the breaker on, then switch on what I want to run in the house.

I have a 13000 watt generator and it will run everything in my house except the dryer and air conditioner at the same time. Think I had $200 in the setup

[twistedmidnite]

We had a bad storm last June, I ran this setup for almost 2 weeks straight until the power was restored. I burnt roughly 10 gallons of fuel a day running my house just like we were on regular power.

[Bill M]

Just curious how much it would be to add an interlock switch on my breaker box for a generator. My builder already ran the wire from the breaker box to a junction box near the patio so I would need a generator plug there as well. My first quote as $1400 because he said my breaker panel was full and I guess he would need to put in another box next to it. The quote was a little higher than I expected. This is in the College Station area. Also, does anyone have a electrician they could recommend to get another quote?

That is why the quote was high.

[RonRon]

I wish I could help, but I'm in the Houston area.

[andre3k]

I went the cheap route. I bought a outdoor 50 amp generator plug and cable from Amazon, 4 foot of 6 gauge wire and a 50amp breaker from home depot. Ran the wire thru the wall to the 50 amp breaker and to the generator plug mounter on the outside of the house. When the power goes out I kill the main and all breakers In the panel, plug up the generator outside and backfeed the 50 amp breaker in the panel, turn the breaker on, then switch on what I want to run in the house.

I have a 13000 watt generator and it will run everything in my house except the dryer and air conditioner at the same time. Think I had $200 in the setup

Same way I did mine, except I used an interlock kit in the breaker box. That added about $60, but i was all in for $300.

In my new house the panel was full so I paid an electrician and he charged me $800. The install was no different from what I did at the previous house, but he had to use a tandem breaker to make room in the panel.

[Bill]

IWen the power goes out I kill the main and all breakers In the panel, plug up the generator outside and backfeed the 50 amp breaker in the panel, turn the breaker on, then switch on what I want to run in the house.

Are you saying if you do not manually throw your main breaker and turn on the generator to power the house, you'll be backfeeding the service line coming to the house? No sliding mechanical interlock mechanism in the distribution panel?

[TeamAmerica]

1400 sounds high but not by a lot. I did my own but had a open breaker space at the top. If you have to move breakers to dedicate the top breaker or add another breaker box then it adds some work. The fact that your builder completely filled up your breaker box is kinda laughable.

[TeamAmerica]

Are you saying if you do not manually throw your main breaker and turn on the generator to power the house, you'll be backfeeding the service line coming to the house? No sliding mechanical interlock mechanism in the distribution panel?

Yes that is what he is saying.

[Southbound 85]

I wish I could help, but I'm in the Houston area.

You’re hired! I’m in Cypress and will pay a mileage upcharge for your service. PM me if you’re available week after next - 23rd-26th.

[texasair]

I have heard that if the power company identifies you as having a generator connection without a lock out, they will take your meter and will make it very hard for you to get it back.

[twistedmidnite]

Are you saying if you do not manually throw your main breaker and turn on the generator to power the house, you'll be backfeeding the service line coming to the house? No sliding mechanical interlock mechanism in the distribution panel?

Yep, that's what I said. I also said, that I kill the main before I turn on the generator.

[dallred]

I did the work myself for approximately $200. That included a dedicated 30amp breaker, interlock kit, and power inlet box. Works as it should.