Gas Generator to House AC connection???

[Pops15]

As others have said what you asked about would be functional, but not safe for many reasons.
You can get a 10 circuit transfer switch for under $400. They sometimes sell much cheaper on ebay.

 

[yelbike]

I run mine through a plug and so does my dad. Breakers can will do go bad. I had one for the dryer I shut off and it stayed on and still had power to the plug. That said I have a manual shut off switch that I throw along with the main breaker.
200 Amp 240-Volt Non-Fuse Indoor Safety Switch-TGN3324 at The Home Depot.
My dad is a retired linemen and even though I tell him not to he pulls the meter every time he runs his.

The reason your dad pulls his meter every time, is in his training and experience, he wants to SEE an open cct. Even if you open a breaker, you can't see it because the breaker is a sealed case. For example he would open a pole top knife switch with a hotstick or a feeder breaker in a substation would be racked out. The equivalent of physically removing the breaker from the breaker panel even after the same breaker was opened. It sounds redundant, but as a former lineman he understands the risks.

 

[wyeguy]

Just like a lot of drunk drivers, unfortunately the idiots that don't do this the way they're supposed to don't end up killing themselves. Its usually some poor fella working hard to get their lights back on.

 

[yelbike]

im aware of that tu. im trying to understand why yelbike said backfeeding is dangours for the homeowner when your doing the samething,the interlock just protects the linmame, and dosnt work with all boxes you need three free spots to set it up. the reason im puting my to cents in is im trying to do same thing,the manual transferswitch is easy to set up many utube vids on the subject the disadvantage is you can only run a few cerkets.

Backfeeding itself isn't really dangerous, you just need the proper protection. Basically you need TWO forms of protection.

So with a improper set up like the op for example, all thats needed in a for things to go bad is ONE single flip of the wrong breaker and you.......well.... whatever.

In a properly protected set up, step ONE you have to flip the switch and you break the utility cct before you make the generator cct.(Break before make) The second form of protection come from the interlocking mecanism physically prevents the TWO breakers from being energize at the same time. So for things to go bad you'd need someone to physically try and close the breakers when the other is already closed AND a physical failure of the mecanical interlock. Two forms of protection.

Back feeding in your panel isn't really a big deal. The potential problem is if you back feed the powerline in error. The linemen won't get the 120/240v from you generator but rather the 4kv or 12 KV that would be stepped up through transformer.

The reason I said the main breaking is like a grenade is you have potential on both side of the breaker terminals from two different sources, both sources will be out of sync and out of phase. if that main breaker got closed somehow, the instantaneous inrush current could exceed the breaker's AIC rating. You could have a catastrophic failure of the breaker.

 

[grsthegreat]

oh no...another one of these posts. there must be 10-20 just like them in the archives.

as an electrical contractor, i would totally advise against your idea. get a transfer switch installed....either a nice whole house system or a simple panel faced system is better than what your thinking.

there are simple main breaker interlock after market systems that can be installed for less than $200 that would eliminate any issues.

 

[sal64]

Backfeeding itself isn't really dangerous, you just need the proper protection. Basically you need TWO forms of protection.

So with a improper set up like the op for example, all thats needed in a for things to go bad is ONE single flip of the wrong breaker and you.......well.... whatever.

In a properly protected set up, step ONE you have to flip the switch and you break the utility cct before you make the generator cct.(Break before make) The second form of protection come from the interlocking mecanism physically prevents the TWO breakers from being energize at the same time. So for things to go bad you'd need someone to physically try and close the breakers when the other is already closed AND a physical failure of the mecanical interlock. Two forms of protection.

Back feeding in your panel isn't really a big deal. The potential problem is if you back feed the powerline in error. The linemen won't get the 120/240v from you generator but rather the 4kv or 12 KV that would be stepped up through transformer.

The reason I said the main breaking is like a grenade is you have potential on both side of the breaker terminals from two different sources, both sources will be out of sync and out of phase. if that main breaker got closed somehow, the instantaneous inrush current could exceed the breaker's AIC rating. You could have a catastrophic failure of the breaker.

i understand what you mean now tu.

 

[JD 4520]

Get the transfer switch. Easy to install, and best setup next to whole house switch. Can't go wrong and you will sleep well at night and so will everyone else.

 

[CNC Dan]

the disadvantage is you can only run a few cerkets.

you can get transfer switches that feed your whole panel. They go between the meter and your panel.

 

[grsthegreat]

you can get transfer switches that feed your whole panel. They go between the meter and your panel.

but if you dont have a large enough generator, it doesnt matter how many circuits you feed, it wont work.

 

[joshuabardwell]

you can get transfer switches that feed your whole panel. They go between the meter and your panel.

Having looked into this, I rejected that idea, because if I recall correctly, the transfer switch must be rated for your full service amperage, which makes them much more expensive than, e.g., a backfeed breaker and interlock, which only has to be rated for your generator's amperage. In other words, a 200-amp transfer switch is way more expensive than a 50-amp breaker and an interlock kit. Interlock kit and breaker: about $250. 200A transfer switch: about $600.