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View Full Version : Auxilary changeover switches and so forth.



.RC.
10th Apr 2019, 03:34 PM
While I am assembling my new larger generator I want to get a decent changeover switch installed in the meter box so I can have electricity in the more frequent blackouts we have these days.

The generator is a mecc alte 230V 11.8 kva at power factor 1. Around 40 amp max output.

Is 32 amp the biggest single phase plug/socket you can buy in Australia? https://www.sparkydirect.com.au/p/7490642/clipsal-56-series---appliance-inlet-3-round-pin-32amp-ip66-rated-grey---56ai332gy.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0v-fjNOz4QIVixePCh0X_AQ9EAQYAiABEgLMHvD_BwE

I know I cannot use US 50 amp plugs as they are not approved. The generator can not be hard wired in as I need something large and transportable so I can power the welder and plasma cutter at higher amperages while on site.

What about surface mount changeover switches. My searches can not seem to find anything of any size other then DIN mounted. Do you need two poles for the changeover switch?

No I am not installing it myself, but it seems to be a bit of a crap shoot as to whether the electrician you get actually understands rural electricity requirements and left to their own devices would probably get a 15 amp plug installed to run multiple fridges, pumps and so on.

BaronJ
10th Apr 2019, 07:12 PM
Hi RC,

Be very careful here, there are very stringent regulations involved concerning the connection of generators and other detachable power sources to the electricity grid network.

Michael G
10th Apr 2019, 07:20 PM
Previous place I worked at had some 64A plug/ socket arrangements. Special order and hideously expensive - From memory, 1 socket was upwards of $1,500
Pity you can't run a couple of 32A's in parallel

Michael

snapatap
10th Apr 2019, 07:40 PM
yes you need 2 poles as all connections to the grid need to disconnect before your generator can be connected.
https://www.clipsal.com/Trade/Products/ProductDetail?catno=7GN63/53/U
is this the type of switch you are after? price is a bit eye watering.
For the plug could you use a 5pin 3 phase plug and only use 1 phase and neutral? 50 amp plugs aren't too expensive.
If you don't need all 40 amps for your house you could fit a 32 amp breaker and just use a 32amp plug.

.RC.
15th Apr 2019, 12:41 PM
Thanks, Have found a few switches

https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/products/8285316

https://teslacomponents.com.au/enclosed-63-amp-4-poleukt3-4-8213-e63.html

https://agmelectrical.com.au/industrial-switchgear/changeover-switches-ip66-rated/3-pole-63-amp-3-position-change-over-switch-ip66-rated-connected-switchgear.html

China
16th Apr 2019, 02:02 AM
Plenty of better priced switches etc. about other than Clipsal/Schneider they are pricing themselves out of the market

.RC.
25th Apr 2019, 10:41 PM
I ended up ordering the switch linked above from RS online. The last week has been a waste of time for getting anything delivered with so many public holidays in one hit.

My generator has been tested and it performs well enough that I will continue the build. Loaded up the Kubota engine and it just goes under load and does not surge as some diesels will do if they have a poorly designed governor.


Yes I am amazed at Clipsal prices. I was looking at ways to get some sort of outlet board fitted to the generator and noticed some commercial generators use these large IP56 gang boxes that you screw in the standard switches and fuse holders.

Clipsal prices are out of this world for a 6 gang plastic box. $160 for clipsal verses $40 for a different brand.

Not sure how the generator will be wired up. I will need to consult with a generator repairer. Research I came across says using it to power a house with a MEN system is different to using it as a worksite generator and I want to use it for both.

If you wire it for use with a RCD (connect one of the generator outputs to the generator frame and earth pins on receptacles and call that neutral) then connect it to a MEN, the RCD on the generator will just click out. If you wire it floating then that has hazards of it's own in some ways.