I know this has been covered to some extent and I've read the other posts so I hope I'm not being redundant.
I'm considering buying a backup generator with Automatic Transfer Switch for my house (a Kohler 20KW unit) and thought it would be a great opportunity for me to install a larger UPS in the basement that could power critical circuits on it until the generator kicks in (8-12 seconds).
My thought was rather than having 10-12 small UPS's for each PC, stereo, home alarm system, and other power sensitive devices I could just install one large (maybe 3KVA) UPS in the basement and plug directly into the circuits thereby eliminating the small UPS's scattered all around the house.
Actually, I already own a couple of these APC 3KVA units because I run some file/web/email servers in my basement and they can be bought on ebay cheap.
The reason for the larger generator is because i have a 5-ton A/C, larger refrig and freezer, oven, washer/dryer, etc. Plus the rack of servers I mentioned previously. Besides, it seems like 1/2 the cost of installing a home backup gen is the installation costs, so over spec'ing the unit doesn't add much to the total cost.
Anyway, my thought was to wire the UPS's between the generator / ATS and the individual circuits - i.e. split my one 200-amp CB panel two smaller ones (say two 100-amp panels) and have one panel wired for critical circuits (the electronics stuff plus some lights so they stay on until the gen fires up) and one for non-critical (A/C, refrig, oven, washer / dryer, etc.).
Question is - can this be done? Safely? Has anyone done it? Sample circuit diagram?
Thoughts, input, feedback would be appreciated.
I'm considering buying a backup generator with Automatic Transfer Switch for my house (a Kohler 20KW unit) and thought it would be a great opportunity for me to install a larger UPS in the basement that could power critical circuits on it until the generator kicks in (8-12 seconds).
My thought was rather than having 10-12 small UPS's for each PC, stereo, home alarm system, and other power sensitive devices I could just install one large (maybe 3KVA) UPS in the basement and plug directly into the circuits thereby eliminating the small UPS's scattered all around the house.
Actually, I already own a couple of these APC 3KVA units because I run some file/web/email servers in my basement and they can be bought on ebay cheap.
The reason for the larger generator is because i have a 5-ton A/C, larger refrig and freezer, oven, washer/dryer, etc. Plus the rack of servers I mentioned previously. Besides, it seems like 1/2 the cost of installing a home backup gen is the installation costs, so over spec'ing the unit doesn't add much to the total cost.
Anyway, my thought was to wire the UPS's between the generator / ATS and the individual circuits - i.e. split my one 200-amp CB panel two smaller ones (say two 100-amp panels) and have one panel wired for critical circuits (the electronics stuff plus some lights so they stay on until the gen fires up) and one for non-critical (A/C, refrig, oven, washer / dryer, etc.).
Question is - can this be done? Safely? Has anyone done it? Sample circuit diagram?
Thoughts, input, feedback would be appreciated.