Abstract: A switching device includes multiple switches configured to selectively connect one of two power sources to electrical loads. The switching device may include either single-pole or double-pole, double-throw switches and corresponding single or double circuit breakers. The single and double circuit breakers are each configured to be inserted into openings having the same physical dimensions. At least one of the switches is a double-pole, double-throw switch, allowing two branch circuits to be transferred between power sources via the switch. A double breaker corresponding to the double-pole, double-throw transfer switch permits each of the branch circuits being switched by the double-throw switch to be wired through a separate protective circuit.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively controlling the supply of electrical power to an electrical panel that is capable of receiving electrical power from more than one power source, such as a utility power supply and an auxiliary power supply, e.g., an electrical generator, prevents the neutral conductor of the electrical panel from being connected to one power supply when the hot conductors of the electrical panel are connected to another power supply.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution apparatus that is configured to selectively communicate power from alternate power sources to one or more loads in a manner that maintains isolation of the input power derived from the alternate sources. The electrical power distribution apparatus includes a neutral input for connecting to a neutral output of the auxiliary power supply and a ground conductor for connecting a ground conductor of the auxiliary power supply. The apparatus includes an electrical bus that receives electrical power from a first electrical output of the auxiliary power supply and unswitchably communicates the first electrical output to a breaker connected to a load.

Abstract: A line-side circuit interrupter protection system monitors the current flowing in a circuit in order to determine whether any current is flowing outside of the circuit upstream of the point at which a power supply is connected to a plurality of circuits. The system is located between the power supply and the main circuit panel, which is advantageous in certain applications in which an auxiliary power supply is used when a utility power supply is unavailable. In the event that the system detects current flowing outside of the circuit, the circuit will be broken to eliminate any potentially unsafe conditions.

Abstract: A generator which is self-configurable to selectively bond the neutral lead to the ground lead of the generator. The generator includes a sensor configured to detect current flow on the ground lead of the generator. The sensor generates a signal corresponding to the current flow which is, in turn, provided to a controller present on the generator. A switch device, such as a relay selectively connects the neutral conductor to the ground conductor at the generator. The controller outputs a signal to control the switch device in response to the signal from the current sensor. If the controller detects current flowing on the ground lead, it opens the switch between the neutral and ground conductors; however, if the controller detects no current on the ground lead, it closes the switch between the neutral and ground conductors.

Abstract: A flip lid interlock that disables or locks out operation of non-GFCI duplex receptacles when, a generator is coupled to the wiring system of a building (and therefore is grounded). When the power cord that is interconnected with the building wiring system is engaged with the multipole locking receptacle, the flip lid is in an open position and prevents an electrical device from being powered by the generator using the duplex receptacles. When the power cord is not connected to the multipole locking receptacle, the flip lid is in a closed position and allows an electrical device to be powered by the generator using the duplex receptacles.

Abstract: A transfer switch mountable in a standard electrical panel connects either a utility supply or an auxiliary supply to an electrical system. An internal mechanical interlock prevents both the utility supply and the auxiliary supply from simultaneously being connected to the system. The transfer switch may utilize either a rocker-style or a blade style switch. A light-emitting diode provides an indication of whether the utility supply is connected to and a voltage is present at the utility supply terminal. A power meter provides an indication of the magnitude of power drawn from the auxiliary supply when the auxiliary supply is connected to the load.

Abstract: A transfer switch configured to detect a ground current is configured to selectively connect a first power source or a second power source to a load. Each of the power sources includes at least one “hot” lead and one neutral lead, and the transfer switch is configured to switch both the “hot” and the neutral leads. If the neutral switching portion of the transfer switch fails, current may be supplied to the load via the “hot” lead of one of the power sources and return from the load via a ground conductor and the neutral lead of the other power source. The transfer switch includes a current sensor, detecting current on the ground conductor, in order to detect such a condition. The signal from the current sensor is provided to a control circuit, which, in turn, activates an indicator if the current on the ground conductor exceeds a predefined level.

Abstract: A configurable electrical panel that may be installed either as a service entrance panel or as a subpanel is disclosed. The electrical panel includes a transfer switch for selectively connecting either a first power source or a second power source to an electrical load, where the transfer switch switches the power leads and the neutral lead from each power source. In a service entrance panel installation, the neutral lead from the first power source is connected to the ground bar and an electrical conductor is provided to connect the ground bar to the neutral input on the transfer switch for the first power source. In a sub-panel installation, the neutral lead from the first power source is connected directly to the neutral input on the transfer switch for the first power source.

Abstract: A transfer switch mountable in a standard electrical panel connects either a utility supply or an auxiliary supply to an electrical system. An internal mechanical interlock prevents both the utility supply and the auxiliary supply from simultaneously being connected to the system. The transfer switch may utilize either a rocker-style or a blade style switch. A light-emitting diode provides an indication of whether the utility supply is connected to and a voltage is present at the utility supply terminal. A power meter provides an indication of the magnitude of power drawn from the auxiliary supply when the auxiliary supply is connected to the load.

Abstract: An interlock arrangement allows a floating neutral electrical generator having a receptacle, such as a duplex receptacle, absent GFCI protection to be used to provide electrical power to the electrical system of a home or other building during utility power interruption. The interlock arrangement includes structure to disable or prevent access to the duplex receptacle when the electrical generator is coupled to the power cord used to transfer electrical power from the generator to the electrical system of the building. Thus, the duplex receptacles cannot be used to power electrical devices when the generator is connected to supply power to the electrical system of the building. Conversely, when the generator is physically disconnected from the electrical system of the building, the interlock arrangement exposes or supplies power to the duplex receptacles, and may be configured to close access to the receptacle used for connecting to a building electrical system.

Abstract: A transfer switch mountable in a standard electrical panel connects either a utility supply or an auxiliary supply to an electrical system. An internal mechanical interlock prevents both the utility supply and the auxiliary supply from simultaneously being connected to the system. The transfer switch may utilize either a rocker-style or a blade style switch. A light-emitting diode provides an indication of whether the utility supply is connected to and a voltage is present at the utility supply terminal. A power meter provides an indication of the magnitude of power drawn from the auxiliary supply when the auxiliary supply is connected to the load.

Abstract: A transfer switch mountable in a standard electrical panel connects either a utility supply or an auxiliary supply to an electrical system. An internal mechanical interlock prevents both the utility supply and the auxiliary supply from simultaneously being connected to the system. The transfer switch may utilize either a rocker-style or a blade style switch. A light-emitting diode provides an indication of whether the utility supply is connected to and a voltage is present at the utility supply terminal. A power meter provides an indication of the magnitude of power drawn from the auxiliary supply when the auxiliary supply is connected to the load.

Abstract: An interlock arrangement operatively associated with utility and generator side switches of an electrical panel including a first main switch associated with the first power supply and a second main switch associated with the second power supply. The interlock arrangement includes a first neutral switch associated with the first power supply, and a second neutral switch associated with the second power supply. A lockout sequencer arrangement has a first lockout that restricts simultaneous switching of the first and the second neutral switch, a second lockout configured to engage the first lockout to restrict movement of the first lockout when the first main switch is a conductive position, and a third lockout configured to engage the first lockout to restrict movement of the first lockout when the second main switch is in a conductive position.

Abstract: A system and method of interlocking a plurality of electrical panel switches includes an interlock assembly having an interlock. The interlock has a first position that allows connection of one of primary power and power from an alternate power supply, such as a generator, to the electrical panel and prevents connection of the other of the primary power and alternate power. The interlock has a second position that allows connection of the other of the primary power and alternate power and prevents connection of one of the primary power and alternate power to the electrical panel. The interlock also is constructed to control the positioning and sequence of operation of neutral connections between the power supplies and the electrical panel.

Abstract: An electrical panel has an Arc Fault Current Interrupter (AFCI) breaker connected to a power supply input, which is operative to interrupt current flow to multiple circuits when an arc fault is detected. The AFCI breaker, which may include Ground Fault Current Interrupter (GFCI) components, provides global arc fault and ground fault protection for multiple circuits of a load center, such as a main panel, sub-panel, transfer switch, and the like.

Abstract: An interlock arrangement operatively associated with utility and generator side switches of an electrical panel including a first main switch associated with the first power supply and a second main switch associated with the second power supply. The interlock arrangement includes a first neutral switch associated with the first power supply, and a second neutral switch associated with the second power supply. A lockout sequencer arrangement has a first lockout that restricts simultaneous switching of the first and the second neutral switch, a second lockout configured to engage the first lockout to restrict movement of the first lockout when the first main switch is a conductive position, and a third lockout configured to engage the first lockout to restrict movement of the first lockout when the second main switch is in a conductive position.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system is designed to automatically connect a dedicated group of circuits, which are normally powered by a primary power source, to an auxiliary power source upon detection that there has been a disruption or failure in the primary power source. The system includes a switching arrangement that allows an operator to manually connect the auxiliary power source with other circuits that are not generally powered during disruption of the primary power source. The switching arrangement includes an interlinked switch or breaker arrangement that prevents any of the other circuits that are normally powered by the primary source from being automatically connected to the primary power source when primary power source is restored if those other circuits are connected to the auxiliary power source when the primary power source is restored.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system is designed to automatically connect a dedicated group of circuits, which are normally powered by a primary power source, to an auxiliary power source upon detection that there has been a disruption or failure in the primary power source. The system includes a switching arrangement that allows an operator to manually connect the auxiliary power source with other circuits that are not generally powered during disruption of the primary power source. The switching arrangement includes an interlinked switch or breaker arrangement that prevents any of the other circuits that are normally powered by the primary source from being automatically connected to the primary power source when primary power source is restored if those other circuits are connected to the auxiliary power source when the primary power source is restored.

Abstract: A system and method of interlocking a plurality of electrical panel switches includes an interlock assembly having an interlock. The interlock has a first position that allows connection of one of primary power and power from an alternate power supply, such as a generator, to the electrical panel and prevents connection of the other of the primary power and alternate power. The interlock has a second position that allows connection of the other of the primary power and alternate power and prevents connection of one of the primary power and alternate power to the electrical panel. The interlock also is constructed to control the positioning and sequence of operation of neutral connections between the power supplies and the electrical panel.