Change over switch

Rodge84

Hi folks, So after the storm. Friend of mine lost power to his farm. Now he wants a change over switch installed.

2 fuse board's on the farm. First fuseboard is beside the main esb and second is 100 meters away which is fed from the first fuseboard.

Is there way of wiring it without changing 16sq mains mains to the switch.

And putting second supply into the switch as a 25sq cable as Could be fairly packed.

meercat

If there’s room on the main distribution board then you could fit a dinrail mounted changeover switch

Otherwise you could could mount an enclosure beside the main distribution board

Just to note

Only a rec is permitted to do this work however

meercat

change over

Rodge84

Thank you.

Lenar3556

That ESR unit is quite good, or the Hagar three position equivalent is probably better again. You will be doing well to get any kind of one at the moment.

Is there space in the existing main board? They are quite big at four modules. You might be best with a separate enclosure for the changeover.

I don’t think there is any absolute requirement that this be carried out by a registered electrical contractor, but you will likely need to isolate the incoming supply to carry out the works and unless you are particularly comfortable with what is required, it might be best to engage a local contractor.

funnyname

would this work (ESR 80A 4 Pole 230V-415V Large IP65 Industrial Rotary Isolator) in a domestic setting for a generator to take over the household load (obviously with the fuses for the oven etc switched down) when there is a power outage? I presume it is place between the ESB meter and the consumer board?

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123128239#Comment_123128239

that’s definitely not suitable. It’s not a changeover switch

Killed

Can you not just remove the main fuse temporarily?

meercat

It’s definitely restricted work and requires a rec.

when fitted it should be tested and certified (Cert 3)

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123126874#Comment_123126874

funnyname

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123128284#Comment_123128284

Thanks.

Can you link me an example of what is? Btw what is I what I linked used for?

Lenar3556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123128239#Comment_123128239

No, thats just an on/off, not a changeover. You need to be very careful with the connection of generators to avoid;

Back feeding the generator supply back onto the grid.

Crossing the generator and mains supplies when power is restored or through incorrect switching.

Lenar3556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123128294#Comment_123128294

If it was a domestic house it would be, but this is an agricultural installation, so he is not obliged to engage a registered contractor.

A registered electrical contractor would be required to issue a Cert No. 3. Anybody else who carries out the work is under no such obligation.

I did advise him to engage someone competent unless he is entirely sure as to what is is doing.

Lenar3556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123128290#Comment_123128290

No - It won’t provide full isolation from the grid as the neutral remains connected.

A neutral/earth bond will remain in place which may damage the generator.

It will be very easy to short the supplies on mains return.

Don’t do it!

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123128344#Comment_123128344

sorry you’re quite right

I assumed that although it was a farm that it was fed off a domestic supply from the main house.

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123128319#Comment_123128319

https://www.meteorelectrical.com/distribution-control/change-over-switches.html