Another Generator Question
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
I think we all went way beyond the original question, which was "when I'm working on a house ..."
That means to me, anything he does will be a temporary solution. But no, better to leave well enough alone or do it the right way.
That means to me, anything he does will be a temporary solution. But no, better to leave well enough alone or do it the right way.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
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From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by PupnDuck
Whether you go the transfer switch route of just run a bunch of extension cords around, most generators have a ground lug on them somewhere. It's there for a reason. Run a hunk of 6 ga. from it to a good earth ground (like the one the house's main service panel is connected to). The butt you DON'T fry could be yours.
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Thanks for the input guys. I think I will go with the extension cords. I wouldn't be in the house for more than a few hours and I wouldn't even have to use the generator for more than an hour at most.
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Post Fiend
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From: "Islander"
It's a Federal Offense to connect a generator to any house that has a service drop connected without a Auto Transfer switch. To add a double male plug and generator to a 120 plug or 230 volt dryer plug can mean jail time and fine. A small low current auto transfer switch of 40-50 amps can be had around $150. You must notify your local utility company that you have a auto transfer system and generator before hard wiring it in.
.....=o&o>.....
.....=o&o>.....
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by Beemer Nut
It's a Federal Offense to connect a generator to any house that has a service drop connected without a Auto Transfer switch. To add a double male plug and generator to a 120 plug or 230 volt dryer plug can mean jail time and fine. A small low current auto transfer switch of 40-50 amps can be had around $150. You must notify your local utility company that you have a auto transfer system and generator before hard wiring it in.
.....=o&o>.....
.....=o&o>.....
There is an easier way to connect for a permanent install - Get a subpanel - sized with as many breakers as you want emergency circuits. Disconnect every circuit you want/need to run from the generator from the main breaker box, and wire into the sub panel. Install a dryer outlet on the main breaker box next to the subpanel. Also install one from the genset. (LABEL EACH ONE). Now, equip your subpanel with a dryer plug - and simply plug subpanel into whichever source yo want to use. Switching is then a simple unplug/plug step. If you have a genset and emergency load above 30 amps, use a range plug and receptacles.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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Originally Posted by alchymist
Not to mention how it's going to feel if you unplug the dryer end before the generator end. There is an easier way to connect for a permanent install - Get a subpanel - sized with as many breakers as you want emergency circuits. Disconnect every circuit you want/need to run from the generator from the main breaker box, and wire into the sub panel. Install a dryer outlet on the main breaker box next to the subpanel. Also install one from the genset. (LABEL EACH ONE). Now, equip your subpanel with a dryer plug - and simply plug subpanel into whichever source yo want to use. Switching is then a simple unplug/plug step. If you have a genset and emergency load above 30 amps, use a range plug and receptacles.
There is an easier way to connect for a permanent install - Get a subpanel - sized with as many breakers as you want emergency circuits. Disconnect every circuit you want/need to run from the generator from the main breaker box, and wire into the sub panel. Install a dryer outlet on the main breaker box next to the subpanel. Also install one from the genset. (LABEL EACH ONE). Now, equip your subpanel with a dryer plug - and simply plug subpanel into whichever source yo want to use. Switching is then a simple unplug/plug step. If you have a genset and emergency load above 30 amps, use a range plug and receptacles.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
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From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by Torque1st
I don't know much about all the electrical codes but this does not sound like it would pass electrical code. Maybe someone will know.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: NorCal
Originally Posted by Beemer Nut
It's a Federal Offense to connect a generator to any house that has a service drop connected without a Auto Transfer switch. To add a double male plug and generator to a 120 plug or 230 volt dryer plug can mean jail time and fine. A small low current auto transfer switch of 40-50 amps can be had around $150. You must notify your local utility company that you have a auto transfer system and generator before hard wiring it in.
.....=o&o>.....
.....=o&o>.....
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by cgl
Where did you hear this? I'm curious to read up on it. All of my transfer switches are manual and the PG&E engineer said he didn't need to know if we had a transfer switch installed. As long as you have a service transfer switch installed correctly, the utility will never know it's there. So why would they need to know if you have one? It is true, if you didn't use some sort of isolation and energize the drop which could possibly energize the transformer and main lines, that you could be fined and persecuted. Especialy if a lineman is workin on it.
I think they have to note it somewhere, so that when the fire dept calls the utility, they know you have an auto transfer switch. Or, the utility notifies the fire dept and they keep it on file. I don't know.
It's one of those things they do ...
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I remember reading something about cord connected (plug in) devices only being allowed for a temporary installation. Any permanent circuits could not be cord connected. It has been a while since I did any extensive reading of the NEC.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by Torque1st
I remember reading something about cord connected (plug in) devices only being allowed for a temporary installation. Any permanent circuits could not be cord connected. It has been a while since I did any extensive reading of the NEC.
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