generator

Why don't you just do it right? Hey, you asked here.

Your generator cord, if I understand what you are doing, is called a suicide cord for a reason. And there is nothing to prevent backfeeding.

I agree with BG, do it right. It will keep you from killing yourself or the poor lineman working in your area. Get a manual transfer switch from an electrical supply store.

Charles Perry P.E.

You miss the point. 1) Your disconnect will energize your circuit breaker panel without disconnecting the panel from the utility lines. 2) The cord you intend to use will have male plugs at each end. (Thus the name "suicide cord")

Both of the above are unsafe.

your missing main breaker off....read the 1st post

As a slight aside, I find it really interesting that you can even *suggest* such a wiring scheme over there - let alone actually do it.

In Oz/NZ, any modifications to a domestic switchboard to fit a generator connection *must* be done by a licensed electrician *and* inspected by the local power authority.. and then your insurance company will disown you before you can turn the power back on to your house! I guess that's to prevent Joe Householder killing himself...

Cameron:-)

Rob, you said, "if power fails pull the main & turn off all breakers".

The changeover from normal supply to generator supply must be mechanically interlocked such that it is not *physically* possible to connect the generator to the utility - even by accident.

Cameron:-)

Robert Since you are back feeding the panel through a breaker that is not interlocked with the main breaker you should use a double break technique. After you open the main you should have the the meter pulled or If you are comfortable doing it then pull it your self. Have a meter blank on hand to keep the rain out of the meter enclosure.

Alternatively you could buy a shunt trip equipped breaker to use as your generator disconnect. Attach the shunt trip leads to the line side of the main breaker so the generator breaker will open itself when public power returns.

If your panel is a recent SquareD unit there is a mechanical interlock available that will interlock the main with your generator breaker in positions 2/4.

-- Tom

No, I am not missing main breaker off - I read the first post. Now, re-read what I posted: "1) Your disconnect will energize your circuit breaker panel without disconnecting the panel from the utility lines."

Your disconnect is not mechanically connected to your main breaker. Therefore, your disconnect CANNOT trip or pull the main breaker. In your first post you said: "--if power fails pull the main & turn off all breakers" You are indicating that YOU (or some person) will pull the main. The DISCONNECT will not do it.

You came here asking what people thought of your idea: "what do you think of this set up" People are trying to tell you what they think, but you are missing it.

What you need is a TRANSFER SWITCH, not a DISCONNECT. The setup, as you described it, is unsafe for the reasons already posted. A transfer switch guarantees that the utility lines cannot become energized by the generator. Forget to pull the main in your method, and those lines can become energized.

People actually do far worse that what has only been suggested here, in spite of our rules to the contrary. I imagine its the same in Oz/NZ - but your rules may have "more teeth". I imagine someone here may have gone to jail for violating the electrical code, but I've never heard of it. People have died due to shoddy and illegal wiring.

Unfortunately, a lot of people die from shoddy and illegal wiring over here too :-( You should see some of the reports we get from Insurance Companies - it's amazing the things people will try to get away with.

..but the "line in the sand" is drawn pretty close to the incoming supply lines and anyone *actually caught* tampering with their utility supply is drawn slowly over hot coals by the Utility first and everyone else second..

On the positive side, they only do it once.

Cameron.

I would never forget to open the main breaker in this case. Are there people out there that would or have? Alos I would block it open via mechanical interlock.

I'm sure you wouldn't.. at least not intentionally, and Yes there are. Electrical wiring must be safe enough to be fool-proof. If someone else decided to hook up the generator whilst you were away somewhere and they killed themselves (as they have) you (as the designer/installer/owner) would get locked up. How would that make you feel??

No problem!.. We are happy to oblige. ;-)

Cameron:-)

Rob I don't think that most people would call what I said a verbal beeting. The stakes are teribly high. Outside wiremen have been killed by generator back feeds. What most folks are trying to do here is to warn you of that danger.

-- Tom

They oughta make cheaper transfer switches. I mean make transfer switches less expensive. The switches I have seen in Grainger's are ridiculously priced. IMHO MLM

One of the problems in designing transfer switches, is there is no way to guarantee they are only operated without any load. If this could be ensured, something on the order of a simple knife-switch could work. But since it may be carrying full load, it must be able to safely and

daestrom

The problem here it that the transfer switch performs a critical, fail-safe function and must therefore be of the very best quality construction. Sadly, this quality doesn't come cheap (although I've often wished it did).

Still the bottom line is that you cannot allow quality to be compromised when life safety is involved, which it is in this case.

Harry C.

Rob I don't think that most people would call what I said a verbal beeting. The stakes are teribly high. Outside wiremen have been killed by generator back feeds. What most folks are trying to do here is to warn you of that danger.

-- Tom