Installing an Interlock Kit on an Upside Down
Electrical Panel
When it comes to safely connecting a generator to your home’s electrical system, interlock kits are an indispensable tool. They ensure that your main breaker and generator breaker cannot be on at the same time, preventing potentially dangerous back-feeding situations. Interlock Kit offers a range of interlock kits designed to fit various breaker panels.
One question that often arises: How do I install an interlock kit if my main breaker is at the bottom of the panel? The answer is simpler than you might think: just install the interlock kit upside down.
Understanding Interlock Kits
Interlock kits are mechanical devices that allow you to safely connect additional power sources to your home’s electrical system. They work by physically preventing two power sources from being turned on at the same time. This ensures that power from a secondary or third power source cannot flow back into the utility lines, which could pose a serious risk to utility workers and damage your generator, solar system, or EV. Researching and finding the right interlock kit for your home is critical in making safety your top priority.
What is a Bottom-Fed Main Breaker?
A typical breaker panel is top-fed, meaning that the main breaker is located at the top of the panel and the power feeds into it from above. In a bottom-fed panel, however, the main breaker is at the bottom, and the power feeds into it from below. This configuration can sometimes cause confusion when it comes to choosing an interlock kit, as mostly all of our kit product photos are featured with top fed main breakers on the shop page. Just because our photos display top-fed breaker panels does not mean that they cannot be installed on a bottom-fed main breaker panel.
The Solution: Installing the Interlock Kit Upside Down
Fortunately, we have designed our generator interlock kits to be versatile and adaptable to different electrical panel configurations, including bottom-fed panels. Here’s how you install an interlock kit on a bottom-fed electrical panel by following the original instructions for top-fed panels – with 1 extra step!
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
1. Safety First: Before starting any electrical work, turn off the main breaker to ensure there is no power flowing to the panel. Verify with a voltage tester.
2. Prepare the Panel: Open the breaker panel cover. If you’re unsure about working with electrical systems, it’s a good idea to consult a professional electrician.
3. Position the Interlock Kit: Take the interlock kit and rotate it 180 degrees. Aligning it upside down over the breakers. The interlock should still line up correctly with the designated breakers, allowing for the same safe operation as a top-fed main breaker setup.
4. Secure the Interlock Kit: Follow the instructions in our guide to installing an interlock kit provided by InterlockKit.com to secure the kit to the panel. This involves screwing the kit into place, after placing both the front plate and back plate on the face of the panel cover. Having both plates on the face of the panel cover ensures a safe and smooth transition of the kit’s position.
5.Test the Interlock Kit: Once installed, test the interlock kit by trying to turn on both the main breaker and generator breaker for example. The interlock should prevent this from happening, ensuring that only one breaker can be on at a time.
6. Complete the Installation: Reinstall the panel cover, after ensuring the panel cover is secure, turn the main breaker back on. Your interlock kit is now ready to use with your bottom-fed main breaker.
Benefits of Using Interlock Kits with Bottom-Fed Panels
When researching alternative power solutions for your home or business, the amount of information at hand can be overwhelming. If your panel has been installed upside down, it can be even more challenging to find a comprehensive guide to installing a generator interlock kit for such a scenario. Here at Interlock Kit, we pride ourselves on four critical components:
● Safety: Prevents dangerous back-feeding of electricity.
● Compliance: Meets National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for safe generator connection. MET Labs Certified
● Ease of Installation: Designed for straightforward installation, even in bottom-fed panels.
● Versatility: Compatibility with virtually any panel or breaker configuration.
We Offer Simple Solutions for Your Electrical System
Interlock kits are an essential safety feature for anyone looking to connect emergency power to their home’s electrical system. With the versatile design of kits found in our shop, from InterlockKit.com, even bottom-fed main breaker panels can be safely and easily equipped by simply installing the kit upside down. This simple adjustment allows you to enjoy peace of mind knowing that your home and utility workers are protected from the risks of back-feeding. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure a safe and compliant installation of your interlock kit, ready for any power outage. For more detailed instructions and to find the right interlock kit for your panel, visit our shop . Have additional questions? Our team is always available and happy to help.
