Generator Interlock Kit Installation · Washington

Generator Interlock Kit Installation in Washington

A generator interlock kit is a mechanical slide on the main panel that prevents the main breaker and the generator breaker from being on at the same time. With an exterior power inlet, it lets a portable generator power chosen circuits without backfeeding the utility.

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Local notes for 2 Washington cities

A standby generator on a concrete pad beside a house

Generator Interlock Kit Installation across Washington

Generator Interlock Kit Installation in Seattle, WA

Seattle's windstorms, such as the December 2006 Hanukkah Eve storm, and winter snow events bring down trees across lines, and outages in wooded neighborhoods can last days. A portable generator connected through an outdoor inlet and a breaker interlock can run the furnace or heat pump air handler, the refrigerator and a few lights.

Converting from oil or gas heat to a heat pump, adding an induction range and an EV charger is a common path, and it usually starts with a panel and service upgrade. Older homes also need knob-and-tube replacement before insulation is added.

Generator Interlock Kit Installation in Vancouver, WA

East winds from the Columbia River Gorge bring ice storms to Vancouver, and in February 2021 ice brought down trees and lines across Clark County. A portable generator wired through an outdoor inlet and a breaker interlock lets homeowners run the furnace or heat pump air handler, refrigerator and lights without back-feeding Clark Public Utilities' lines.

Older homes may have knob-and-tube or small services, and many owners are adding heat pumps and EV chargers. Newer homes in east Vancouver often have larger services but may need capacity for solar and batteries.

What generator interlock kit installation involves

Plugging a generator into a wall outlet, or a "suicide cord", can send power back onto utility lines and injure line workers. An interlock and inlet box is the lower-cost, code-compliant alternative to a full transfer switch.

With an interlock, you choose which circuits to run during an outage, such as the furnace blower, refrigerator, sump pump and some lights, within the generator's capacity.

Signs to look for

You own or plan to buy a portable generator
Outages in your area last hours or days
You need to keep a sump pump, furnace or well pump running
You want backup power without a standby generator

What moves the price

Interlock kit availability for your panel
Inlet amperage (30 or 50 amp)
Distance from panel to inlet
Generator cord length and type
Permit fees

Generator Interlock Kit Installation in Washington: questions

Where in Washington is generator interlock kit installation common?

Our local notes cover Seattle, Vancouver. Seattle's windstorms, such as the December 2006 Hanukkah Eve storm, and winter snow events bring down trees across lines, and outages in wooded neighborhoods can last days.

Who issues permits for generator interlock kit installation in Washington?

The city or county building department where the home is. Seattle: Seattle issues its own electrical permits through the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI); most of the rest of Washington is permitted by the state Department of Labor and Industries. Vancouver: Electrical permits and inspections in Vancouver are handled by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), which also licenses electricians.

Is an interlock kit legal?

Yes, when it is listed for your panel and installed with a permit; it is a recognized way to prevent backfeeding.

Interlock kit or transfer switch?

An interlock uses your existing panel and lets you pick circuits; a transfer switch has dedicated circuits or switches automatically with a standby generator.

What can a portable generator run?

Typically a furnace blower, refrigerator, sump pump, lights and a few outlets, depending on its wattage.

Related help in Washington

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