![]() In the screenshot above, showing an interlock kit from the appropriately named, you can see how when, properly installed, it's impossible to have both the main breaker and the dedicated generator breaker turned on at the same time. If you flip the breaker for the generator feed, the main breaker is turned off and vice versa. This plate is mounted to the metal face of your circuit breaker box and is designed so that you cannot have the main breaker and the generator circuit breaker switch turned on simultaneously. The actual "interlock" component is a metal plate that functions as a safety switch. It requires no special electrical work or additional expense. The upside to this method is that you can deploy it immediately if you have the generator and the appropriate extension cords on hand. It's not exactly luxurious off-grid living, but it will get the job done safely. ![]() You might run the cable through a cracked window into the kitchen, for example, to keep your refrigerator and freezer running and power your phone. It's inconvenient compared to the other methods, to be sure, but if you haven't wired your home in advance to use generator power, then you're left running an appropriately large gauge 20A extension cord, or even a 30A extension cord specifically designed for use with a generator, to power key area of your home to power critical things. Plugging devices directly into the generator is the simplest way to use a generator, and if the power outage is already underway and you haven't prepared in advance to use the generator, it is the only safe way to use it. Plug Appliances Directly into the Generator Every little bit helps to keep harmful gases like carbon monoxide away from your living space. Third, position the generator so that the exhaust is venting away from the structure. ![]() Given the multiple ways that improperly backfeeding a generator into your home can cause fires, property damage, and even death, there's no good reason to do it. At worst, you could start a fire in your neighborhood and burn down your neighbor's house instead of your own.įinally, in many jurisdictions it's illegal to hook up a generator to your home without the proper safety precautions and wiring in place. At best, this extends the power outage, making repairs take longer. Not only can this kill the line workers trying to restore power to your neighborhood-a tragedy that could be avoided entirely-but it can damage the electrical system. Worse than just harming yourself and your property with poor choices, backfeeding can lead to electricity getting backfed not just into your home but down the line into your neighborhood's electrical system. That's an immediate threat to your safety and your home (and if you burn your house down doing something stupid like backfeeding a generator into your home's electrical system in a fashion against building code, your insurance company won't cover the damage you do).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |