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rn240sx · Joined: 15 Aug 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Orlando, Fla

Here is my question about wiring up a generator to the home:

I understand that the power comes in off the street, then hits the power meter which measures the amount of power draw, then it goes into the panel next to the power meter which contains most or all of the circuit breakers.. Then from there I know we have another fuse panel in the garage which has about 10 or so breakers, then we have another fuse panel by the A/C unit in the washer/dryer room which controls power to the a/c unit, and the last fuse box is the one outside by the a/c compressor..

What my theory was, If i were to go outside to the MAIN panel ( the one next to the power meter) and open it up and SHUT OFF all the breakers that SHOULD cut all power from getting inside the house (even if the commercial power is restored)
Then I was thinking about cranking up the generator and plugging up an extension cord FROM the generator TO one of the 2 outlets in my garage, that SHOULD activate every electrical outlet in the house or at least the outlets that are ran in series with the one i plugged into within that circuit...
Now i may have all or some outlets hot and ready to go and NONE of that power will get back out to the field, BECAUSE I went outside to the main panel and SHUT OFF all the breakers....
Basically the power is maintained in the home and not BACK-FEEDING into the street cause I shut off all the breakers outside ( keeping the generator power maintained in the home )
Then with (X) amount of hot outlets, I can plug in whatever I have enough power for..

Will this work, or is my theory completly WRONG...???

Thanks
Robert

rn240sx · Joined: 15 Aug 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Orlando, Fla

Well, thanks to all (NOBODY) that replied back to my question. Obviously there are no qualified electricians here....
This forum is obviously a fake....

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4631 Location: Bath

Like the plumber (Me) the guy's that answer your stupid questions do so in their own time and for nothing more than a few "thank you's"

Either wait till they have the time or sod off!

Fake!!! perhaps you are but do I care ?? No.

scruff

vince knight · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:25 pm Post subject:

Nice one Scruff.

Mr sarcastic,

If you back feed the circuit, the protection devices will not operate properly. The only way to do it is to put in a change-over switch between your in-coming supply and your generator.
So your theory was WRONG.

Vince