Generator Interlock Kit for Bryant Panels

Identify your Bryant panel

Bryant panels were made a long time ago, so labels are often faded or missing. Here's what to collect:

• The main breaker's amp rating, stamped on the handle. GenInterlock's Bryant kits cover 100, 150 and 200 amp panels.
• Which side the main sits on. GenInterlock sells one 150 to 200 amp Bryant kit for a main on the top left, and another for a main on the right side.
• The breaker spacing, the gap between the main and the breakers beside it. One of GenInterlock's right-side kits is listed for 1 inch spacing.
• The breaker type, as printed on the panel label or the breakers. GenInterlock lists its 100 to 125 amp BR series kits under Bryant, and Interlock Technologies has a kit it describes with "measurements for BR breakers" in its Bryant list.

Take a photo of the open panel, label and all. Interlock Technologies asks you to send a photo of your panel to its phone number so it can match a kit.

Bryant kits that are out there

Interlock Technologies lists about ten kits under Bryant, including one whose product link names Bryant, Thomas & Betts and Westinghouse panels. Its Bryant listing doesn't give amp ratings or panel models for each kit, so you'll be relying on the photo match.

If your panel takes BR breakers and has a back-fed main in the branch spaces, ask the electrician whether Eaton's BRMIKBR, made for BR back-fed load centers, is listed for it. The panel label decides that, not whether the plate happens to fit.

Is the panel worth keeping?

This is the real question with a Bryant. An interlock goes on a panel that's sound. If the electrician finds heat damage, loose breaker connections, a corroded bus or no free spaces for the generator breaker, put the money toward a new panel instead. A new panel from Square D, Eaton or Siemens has a factory interlock kit, and you get a fresh main breaker in the deal. A manual transfer switch is the fallback when you want to keep the old panel and no listed kit fits.

Buy a listed kit

Inspectors want a listed product installed to its instructions. Interlock Technologies says its kits are MET listed to UL standards. GenInterlock says its kits are MET listed and that electrical equipment should be installed by qualified, licensed people.

What else you'll need

Add a two-pole back-fed breaker that matches the panel, a retainer to hold it, an outdoor inlet box and a cord. Interlock Technologies pairs a 30 amp back-feed breaker with generators up to 8,000 watts and a 50 amp setup with bigger units.