What is a Generator Interlock Kit?
A generator interlock kit is a great alternative to transfer switches. The interlock mounts directly to your home’s electrical panel, allowing your backup generator to transfer the electricity safely and back-feed the panel. Ultimately powering up any circuit in your house. But most importantly, generator interlock kits are specifically designed to prevent the main breaker and the generator breaker to be on at the same time. The main advantages you’ll want to consider before purchasing an interlock kit include:
- Easier installation process and less time consuming, since this has less parts involved and less wiring.
- Costs less for an interlock kit than the standard transfer switch, since you’re not having to pay the costs for a full separate subpanel.
- Costs less for installation when compared to a standard transfer switch, since this has less parts involved and less wiring.
- Full access to all circuits on your panel, since the interlock kit is installed directly on your main panel you have full access to all the circuits on your panel.
The interlock kit can have multiple benefits, but as with any product there can be drawbacks. The main disadvantages you’ll want to consider before purchasing an interlock kit include:
- Higher chance of accidentally overloading the generator, since the interlock kit gives you access to the full panel you can easily exceed the your generators capacity by turning too many circuits on at once.
- Interlock kits only come in manual operation options.
- More steps involved when switching to generator power than a transfer switch option, since the interlock kit requires you to manually turn on individual circuits for use.
