[granitefan]

I'm installing a standby generator with an automatic transfer switch (ATS). My service entrance is a Square D all in one with the meter on the left and the main disconnect and breakers on the right (2 seperate compartments).

The ATS has a service rated 200A breaker and the ATS needs to be between the meter and my breaker panel (it becomes the service disconnect).

My question is this. There are 4 wires that run from the load side of the meter to the existing main (4 pole) disconnect in the adjacent compartment. Can I remove those and run new wire from the load side, out the bottom of the cabinet (the cabinet has a knockout at the bottom on the meter side) to the "utility" connection of the main breaker in the ATS. Then run 4 wires from the load connection of that breaker back to the main disconnect in the all in one panel. I can't really see another way to do it, but want to make sure it complies with code. The meter side would stay factory fresh since it has an un-used knock out in the bottom that I can pass the wires to the ATS and back. The meter is currently fed from the top.

 

[AllanJ]

Is the 4 pole main disconnect part of the breaker panel and fastened directly to the panel busses or is it separate module with wires going to the panel?

Normally you reroute the first wires upstream of the breaker panel over to your transfer switch.

Normally you need to coordinate with the power company, perhaps having the meter pulled, when installing a whole house transfer switch because there is no disconnect between the meter and the wires you will be working on.

Regardless of how a whole house transfer switch is installed, the panel immediately downstream, which may have been the "main" panel, will need to have neutral and ground unbonded, i.e. treated as a subpanel. (Subpanel and sub-subpanel are not official terms in the NEC.)

 

[granitefan]

The 4 pole is a breaker that attaches directly to the bus bar like all the other breakers. It has a retaining screw that can be removed and the breaker assembly will come out. The main sits in the middle of all the breakers. Each pole of the breaker has a #2 wire coming from adapters/huibs off the bottom (load side) of the meter.

I was going to have the power company pull the meter, but have also thought about disconnecting at the weatherhead so the whole thing is dead. Otherwise the entrance bar will always be live and is not fused. HIgh risk for an accidental movement.

I saw the info about grounding and not bonding. I installed a subpanel in a detached garage and did the same there. The bonded ground will be in the ATS cabinet since it's the first point after the meter.

So, am I on the right track? Thanks for the reply.