Temporary Generator????

[ReefWaters]

I'm no electrician. But I do own a few small generators (4400 watts each) that I use for my business.

In the event of a power outage, how can I connect the generator's power into my house grid? Does my panel have to be wired specifically to handle this or can I just plug an extension cord into a socket? I would assume that I would want to shut off my main breaker coming in from the power company.

I would only want to run my fish tank, maybe a light or two, and possibly the TV and DVD player.

Any thoughts?

 

[Donw]

That is back feeding and is dangerous and illegal. You need a transfer panel. Without a transfer panel you could back feed into the power line and kill a utility worker. Yor homes breakers will not work if you back feed so if you overload you may have a fire.

Don

 

[ReefWaters]

Tanks for the response Don.

Okay. I'm not saying I'm going to do it. I'm just trying to understand this so I can figure out how and what I might want to do.

I see what you are saying about the breakers in the panel not working if the current is flowing "backwards" through them. So you may end up sending too much current through the lines in the house and ther is no way to stop it right?

All other dangers aside, if I turned off the main breaker from the utility grid, wouldn't that prevent any current from feeding back onto the utility grid?

If I did a Google search for the transfer panel, what am I looking for? I know there are a ton of different things out there that do similar jobs.

 

[ReefWaters]

WOW!!! Never mind about the Google search. Just put in "generator transfer switch" and you get more information than you can handle. There is definately a lot more to this than I thought.

Id still love to hear your input Don, but if I need to use the generator for any outages before I get the panel correct, I will just plug whatever needs power directly into the generator.

 

[Donw]

I got mine at home depot for $100, has 8 breakers and was pretty easy to wire. Search transfer switch.

Don

 

[ReefWaters]

So what do the 8 breakers do? Do you have to run designated circuits to wherever you want power when a power outage occurs? Does this not dump the power straight onto your existing house wiring?

 

[Donw]

The transfer switch first disconnects the homes breakers from the grid then it sends power to what ever circut you have it wired to only.
The breakers on the swith panel will protect your home. The generator get plugged into the transfer switch. Does that make sense?

Don

 

[crvz]

reefwaters, I'd highly suggest having an electrician wire it up for you if this is something you're seriously considering. there's a lot of risk here, and if you're not intimately familiar with a house electrical system you're better off leaving it to a professional.

 

[Donw]

Actually if you can change a light switch or electrical outlet you can install a transfer switch. I did mine in an hour and the instructions were very straight forward.

Don

 

[ReefWaters]

Don, I think I get it.

You place the transfer switch next to your existing breaker box. Then you pig tail from a breaker on the switch to a breaker on the house breaker box. That way, you are not feeding the entire house with power, you are only feeding that circuit. Or in the case of your box, up to 8 circuits.

When the power goes out, you flip the switch on the transfer switch and then plug the generator into the transfer switch.

 

[kcress]

Correction: Breakers do not care which way the current is going thru them. They will still do their job.

 

[boviac]

Lots of extra cost and work. Esp. for a temp situation. To really automate it you'll need a power-loss sensing auto-start feautre on your generator(s) and hope they actually work (i.e. have fuel, oil, etc and actually start). Then once they start, get up to speed and ready to accept load, one can then transfer the load to the generator

Barring that and the assumed low end of your generators, I'm going to assume you're going to be home when the electricity is lost or shortly thereafter.

If so, then you can start your generator yourself and run an extension cord to your tank. Get an outlet strip and plug in things for water circulation and if needed temperature control. Keep in mind some larger pumps might draw a lot of amps and a 14g extension cord might only be sufficent for the pump. An additional cord might be needed for other items.

All that being said, it is fun to play with big improvments.

 

[Donw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13192810#post13192810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kcress
Correction: Breakers do not care which way the current is going thru them. They will still do their job.

Only if you backfeed a 220v like your dryer then all your 110 will be protected. If you backfeed a 110 everything connected will be unprotected.

For example you have 5 outlets in your living room on one circuit. You plug the generator output into one of those outlets, all 5 will work fine but will be unprotected.

Don

 

[kcress]

Yes! I agree with that.

You would want to backfeed, (if you even choose this hazardous procedure), to feed a circuit with at least as high a current rating as the generator's breaker.