I suspect this very dangerous

[beenthere]

I always just pull the meter out of its socket. Then I know the lines coming into the house are disconnected, and then I let the power company know that the meter is out.

 

[JB4310]

A big incentive to not back-feed utility lines is damage to your expensive equipment.
Even if someone was so callous that they didn't care about risking a utility workers life, they would still care about smoking their own generator. Either by the load of the rest of the grid trying to draw off your little genny, your outgoing power meeting incoming utility power, or the best one I heard from a lineman here on TBN, having them direct short your machine if they find power coming back through their lines.

Anyone with an ounce of understanding wiring and electricity isn't gonna connect a genny without disconnecting utility line. If you have no understanding of electricity, you probably should not be producing it.

Never had to do it but I would in an emergency, I've got a lock on main breaker box so I know no one could flip the switch by accident. I'm glad to see some admitting they do, probably more doing the old school manual disconnect and back-feed panel (not grid), than those with transfer switches or interlocks. Not promoting, but it's commonplace, it's definitely a one man operation, not safe if more than one person is involved with setting up.

If you want wife or family, or anyone else to be able to operate back-up system you will need safety features in place to prevent accidents.

Just waiting for the safety police to swoop down on this thread

JB.

 

[scgargoyle]

Seems like folks forget about carbon monoxide when it comes to generators. One family died when they ran the generator IN THEIR LIVING ROOM! Even parking it outside of a window that is slightly open can do you in. It happens every year, though.

 

[schmism]

Seems like folks forget about carbon monoxide when it comes to generators. One family died when they ran the generator IN THEIR LIVING ROOM! Even parking it outside of a window that is slightly open can do you in. It happens every year, though.

more than likely they park it in there attached garage because they dont want to leave it outside running unattended.

after every major storm there seem like a few more Darwin award winners.

 

[MrBobcat230]

If you are back feeding you main panel and forgot to turn off the main breaker would the meter run backwards?

 

[podagrower]

If you are back feeding you main panel and forgot to turn off the main breaker would the meter run backwards?

In theory, yes. It would be the same as "Net Metering" where you are selling your excess energy from your solar system. I'm sure it would depend on the specific meter you have as well.

Now, let's talk about generator inlets. An interlock is a great start, but an inlet is a good way to complete a clean installation. Available in a variety of amperages, they allow you to keep your cord with a female and male end (the inlet is a male receptacle), instead of a cord with double male ends.

Midwest Electric U050ND - 50-Amp Power Inlet Box

 

[groundcover]

You suspect correctly. It can indeed be very dangerous. During our ice storm last year a home was hooked up to back feed,no interlock and it did back feed the grid. Transformers work both ways,14,000,v in 220v out or 220v in 14,000v out (or what ever the pole line voltage is in that area). No one was killed in this case but the state is pursuing felony charges.

 

[Groo]

I would personally have no problem doing that, but as a general rule, never ask advice from a HD employee.

 

[RobertN]

Two Firefighters in Modesto, Ca were hurt when the roof they were on collapsed during a fire.

1 - Person had generator in garage; CO2 issues...
2 - Generator was running low on fuel. Lady used a candle to see in the tank while refueling, causing the fire
3 - Two firefighter injured during roof collapse, one with major 3rd degree burns

Don't run the generator inside any structure
Let it cool off before fueling
Don't check the fuel level with a candle

People have been known to use charcoal grills inside too when they got real cold... Again, CO2 issues, sometimes leading to death.

Seems like folks forget about carbon monoxide when it comes to generators. One family died when they ran the generator IN THEIR LIVING ROOM! Even parking it outside of a window that is slightly open can do you in. It happens every year, though.

 

[MikeD74T]

Originally Posted by MrBobcat230
If you are back feeding you main panel and forgot to turn off the main breaker would the meter run backwards?

In theory, yes. It would be the same as "Net Metering" where you are selling your excess energy from your solar system......

With at least half of the opinions on this subject being that any backfeed is instant death to unsuspecting linemen, a power outage on a sunny day could be deadly due to solar backfeed !!!
That being said, I do believe that backfeed can be dangerous, even fatal ,but I don't think that unsuspecting linemen actually exist, at least not for very long. Stupid (uneducated in matters electrical) homeowners exist in droves. MikeD74T