[mhabby]

I have a question about installing a manual transfer switch to be used with a portable 7000 Watt generator to power essentials during power outages. To preface this, I am going to have an electrician do the work, but am trying to get an idea of how it will work and how much parts will cost. I am not trying to operate my home electrical as normal when power goes out, but would like to be able to power my well pump, furnace, air handlers, etc. and maybe a few lights. I understand that the above items may not be able to run at the same time. I was looking at a 30 amp manual transfer switch to handle six or eight circuits.

My home was built in 2007. The main panel is 200amp and it is located in the basement. There is a 200 amp subpanel in the attic (finished attic), which powers the upstairs as well as the attic. The sub-panel is fed by a breaker in the main panel - actually there's two identical breakers, each 100amp, located side by side, with the switches tied together - a handle tie - that feeds the sub-panel. The only items in the upstairs I would like to be able to use are a few lights and most importantly the air handler to be able to heat upstairs. Both the lights and air handler are on 15 amp circuits on the sub panel.

Here's my question. Assuming that every circuit in the sub panel is turned off and I intend on utilizing only two 15 amp circuits on the sub panel, can the two 100 amp breakers handle tied together in the main circuit panel be connected to a 30 amp manual transfer switch as one of the six or eight circuits or do I need a 200 amp transfer switch to be able to do this? A 200 amp transfer would require a lot larger generator and defeats the pupose of what I am trying to accomplish. Any other suggestions to get power to the air handler if this will not work? Thanks in advance.

[KISS]

Why don't you put a generator interlock kit on the main panel. This is a mechanical interlock that prevents the main and a backfed breaker to be on at the same time. The backfed breaker is sized to the generator.

http://www.interlockkit.com/faq02.htm