Hooking up a generator?

[SaintShane]

Let's say that person has a portable generator, like a 8 kw that they would like to hook up directly to the house if power goes out.

Most people in this position have a switch wired in already.

Let's say that a person doesn't have this switch.

How would one HYPOTHETICALLY hook up the generator directly to the panel since it's against the law/rules whatever to pull your meter?

[buzd]

I don't know. I run extension cords.

[Brennan77]

If you don't know what you are doing, don't try. You could hurt yourself. Is just run electrical cords to your essentials.

[uproar90]

Originally Posted by buzd

I don't know. I run extension cords.

You have extension cords?!? Can I evacuate to your house?

I'll bring beer & chips.

[buzd]

Originally Posted by uproar90

You have extension cords?!? Can I evacuate to your house?

I'll bring beer & chips.

Mmm I like chips.

[sykobob671]

Originally Posted by SaintShane

Let's say that person has a portable generator, like a 8 kw that they would like to hook up directly to the house if power goes out.

Most people in this position have a switch wired in already.

Let's say that a person doesn't have this switch.

How would one HYPOTHETICALLY hook up the generator directly to the panel since it's against the law/rules whatever to pull your meter?

If you do not have the proper switching equipment, do not even try.
You do not know when the the power will be turned back on to your home. you could easily be electrocuted, lose your generator or anything plugged into the outlets.

[BHM]

You could also endanger those working on the lines. Do not do it!

[efil4stnias]

Originally Posted by sykobob671

If you do not have the proper switching equipment, do not even try.
You do not know when the the power will be turned back on to your home. you could easily be electrocuted, lose your generator or anything plugged into the outlets.

if you back feed your panel, you MUST REMEMBER TO TURN OFF MAIN BREAKER at bottom of panel ( in case power comes back on ) . Flip all your breakers off...then flip the ones you want on, back.

you can back feed thru dryer outlet if you want to go that route. Again, its not the safest and you will have to see how your generator works with your appliances on ( I would advise to keep AC breaker off as that will knock out your generator if it comes on )

I had an electrician come out and wire me to do this. He put little laminated notes to remind me the steps to take when I go to do this.

[SaintShane]

I do completely understand what most of you are saying about not doing it if you don't know what you're doing.

I would never take a chance electricuting myself.

What my dad always used to do was actaully pull his meter completely out, taking away the chance of getting shocked or taking a chance of backfeeding the line where it could shock a worker.

I think he would pull the meter and then connect his generator cable on the bottom of the meter panel which would feed the house.

Kinda just wondering if you did this, what the power company would really do if they see you cut the tag to pull the meter out.....HYPOTHETICALLY of course.

[moe1967]

If you gotta ask, then don't do it.

[Brown]

A neighbor of mine did something like this. He was hanging out with his son drinking beer all day, hooking up the generator like he knew what he was doing.

The storm hit that night and his power went out. He went out to crank up the generator and a loud explosion preceeded a fire on the side of his house. He was battling a fire and 100mph winds all at the same time while his wife yelled at him.

Would have made a nice short film.

[BHM]

I am not a licensed electrician so I am shocked that a licensed electrician would have you back feeding through the dryer circuit.

A 7,500 watt generator could push over 60 amps and I most dryers are wired with #10 copper which is not rated for over 30 amps

[efil4stnias]

Originally Posted by BHM

I am not a licensed electrician so I am shocked that a licensed electrician would have you back feeding through the dryer circuit.

A 7,500 watt generator could push over 60 amps and I most dryers are wired with #10 copper which is not rated for over 30 amps

OH NOOOOOO NO NO.

I have a dedicated line ....heck no im not back feeding thru dryer outlet. Ive seen that done was all i was speaking about. Merely suggestion and I said not the safest...but I guess i wasnt clear....NOT AT ALL SUGGESTING OP do that.

I had electrician ( licensed master ) come out and install a whole set up with dedicated line to my panel.

[blupony]

Originally Posted by BHM

I am not a licensed electrician so I am shocked that a licensed electrician would have you back feeding through the dryer circuit.

A 7,500 watt generator could push over 60 amps and I most dryers are wired with #10 copper which is not rated for over 30 amps

A 7500 watt generator can only push 60 amps at 120v. At 240v (which is what most dryers outlets are) it can only push about 30 amps.

That being said, it isn't what the generator can push, but what the appliances will pull.
Since there should be a 30amp breaker going to the outlet, you aren't going to be pulling more than 30 amps through it anyway.

I am not recommending you do this, but if you decide to, just remember to switch main breaker OFF before connecting the generator and not to switch it back ON until generator is shut down and disconnected.

[barto]

I myself am picking up an 7800kw generator this evening and would be interested in finding out how much a licensed electrical contractor would charge to hook mine up. Anybody have any experience in such a situation?

Oh yeah, 1 more question. The generator i'm getting is used. The guy (friend of mine) who's selling it to me, recently had a generac natural gas generator hard wired to his house, so it could run his entire house. He no longer needs the other one, so he's going to sell it to me.

Any idea what a fair price is for it? It's only been used for Katrina and is an electric start.