How to Wire a Portable Generator | Ask This Old House

[@entropysfo]

As someone with no knowledge, I really appreciate this kind of video. I'll certainly get my generator connected by a licensed electrician but this really helps me understand what is involved. Nice job guys.

[@ryanmiller3544]

Mark, to save you some headache I would suggest an Inverter generator with a floating neutral and a reliance transfer switch. A regular generator wont play nice with UPSs or electronics. The floating neutral is so you can have a simpler and less expensive transfer switch. Hondas are floating and Champion tells you how to convert.

[@xtremErisa]

Agree with the commenter - no expertise for me but now I feel like I "get it".

[@denisefelton5207]

Thanks, gentlemen, all very helpful information.

[@rstephe]

Interlock - this one allows you to select the circuits you want to run based on the load each circuit pulls and allows you to prioritize while being able to change as needed or wanted.

[@liamwelsh5565]

Seems like the cheaper option too. A couple pieces of metal compared to an entire unit.

[@cfoskeeter]

I had an interlock installed about a year ago. Bought all the supplies from Amazon; the interlock, a 25 ft. cable, and the power inlet. Total cost was $185 and I paid an electrician $120 to install.

[@DonkeyLipsDA3rd]

He didnt charge enough..

[@petersack5074]

@@DonkeyLipsDA3rd he charged appropriately

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

@@petersack5074 that is nowhere near enough to charge. Unless you live in a backwoods town where everybody’s cousins.

[@nova31337]

@@KitchenerLeslie2 He charged what he was willing to charge. Every area is different as to how much services go for based on how expensive (or inexpensive) it is to live in a given area.

[@julierae1203]

Thank you for the info. I was sitting here thinking it would be > $1k.

[@warriorlink8612]

Just coming off several days with no power after hurricane Milton. We ran a generator outside and had extension cords going everywhere in the house. It's a mess to rearange some of the house so you can plug everything into cords. This option is definitely cleaner and gives you a lot more flexibility by using the panel.

[@OSTemli]

Thanks from India Technical knowledge is appreciated everywhere

[@11bravoNRD]

I have the same generator and used the interlock option when wiring it to the house. I was able to run all my lights (all LED bulbs), outlets in my livingroom, 2 bedrooms, fridge, deep freezer, and 1 BIG item at a time i.e. water heater, stove top, or AC.

[@dblood8529]

What size is it?

[@dhall5634]

Can i backfeed my house with an ungrounded generator and then run a suicide cord to my welder so i can weld in the rain? Note-i would be welding a couple feet from the generator but it's outside so no risk of CO poisoning right?

[@chrishanson3497]

It's a good idea to have a power plan where you identify the breakers to turn on when using your generator. You can ask your electrician to review it to make sure you don't overdraw the generator.

[@majahanson311]

One thing to know that I've never seen mentioned in these videos is that transfer switches and heavy duty extension cords will not be in stock if there's a widespread outage from a natural disaster. Home Depot will bring in a truckload or two of generators and stack them in the middle of the isles, but they won't think to bring in the other stuff you need to safely power your house off of one. And how hard do you think it is to get an electrician to come out to your house in a days-long power outage? If you think you might ever need a generator, get the hookup installed when it's not an emergency. You can hold off on buying the generator itself if you want.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

⚠️Here are the safety rules of using portable generators. This is a very important announcement. It is important to follow all generator safety rules whenever we use portable generators: Everyone must see this. This is just a reminder for everyone’s safety. 1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards. 2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house. 3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules. 4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators Hope this helps. Please make sure you follow all the generator safety tips. Thank you

[@jeffaxman799]

Majahansen311 Great advice!

[@robertf6344]

Something I haven't seen TOH talk about with generator vids is Dual Fuel generators. Gas or Propane. Gas is hard to keep viable as without using fuel stabilizers and refreshing the gas periodically, you could end up with bad gas and no way to get any more with a big outage and the electric is out at the gas stations too. Propane doesn't go bad.

[@louisianaguy2661]

You never wait until an emergency to prepare for the emergency. I live in south Louisiana and we stay stocked with emergency supplies for hurricanes. In fact, I am watching the video now to learn about getting a generator transfer switch before hurricane season.

[@louisianaguy2661]

@@robertf6344 The only time we lose power for an extended amount of time in south Louisiana is when a hurricane hits. I have 4 5 gallon gas cans that I fill up for the generator. I never just keep many gas can full, just a 5 gallon can for the mower. Once a hurricane has passed and the power is restored, I pour the remaining gas into our cars gas tanks.

[@Rich22C]

I made my own interlock switch & wired up my whole panel as shown. I also included complete operating instructions on the inside door of my breaker box that anyone could understand. I also added a power back alarm at a later date.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Here is a reminder about portable generator safety: This advice is just to make sure that everyone is aware of all the warnings and it’s just to remind people to be careful using portable generators. Everyone has to see this safety reminder for safety. Every year, hundreds of people die or get injured when using portable generators due to carbon monoxide poisoning and electrocution. Make sure you are using your generator carefully and keeping others safe as well. There is something very serious that everyone should always be aware of when using generators. Some people do run their generator indoors which is not safe and that increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which can cause death of family and you. Some people run their generator in wet conditions which can electrocute them. Please remember that you should never run your generator indoors. Remember that carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that you cannot see or smell. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Keep that in mind. Make sure your generator is 15-20 feet away from your house and away from doors, windows, and vents. Never use your generator in your porch too. Having a carbon monoxide detector is very important against generator safety. Some people also allow children to go near the portable generator which could pose risks. We need to keep an eye on our children making sure that they are not near the portable generator so they won’t get electrocuted or burned by the generator which is dangerous. A locking enclosure also keeps kids safe. A generator shed might look like a tempting place to explore, or take cover during a game of hide and seek, but a generator is a dangerous piece of equipment that can cause injury. It says on the manual that we should also keep children away at all times from the portable generator to avoid injuries. Please do not allow a child or unqualified people to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals missed what should be listed doesn’t mean it’s safe to do. Always follow the generator safety rules when using portable generators. Generators pose electrical risks. If you need to use your generator during wet weather, you need a generator tent to protect your generator from getting wet. Don’t let your generator get wet. Keep your generator dry and before using your generator, please make sure your hands and your generator is dry. Do not wear loose clothing when operating the generator. Everything that is said on the generator’s operating manual should not be ignored. Never smoke cigarettes near the generator. Please keep flammable things away from the generator. Never overload your generator too. Your generator can catch fire. Never ever try to plug a generator cord into a wall outlet to avoid back feeding. Back feeding your generator is dangerous. Always turn on your generator first before plugging in appliances and shut off the appliances before turning your generator off. Use a heavy duty cord for your generator and the cord should not be worn out. All the instructions should be followed carefully. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. It can cause fire if fuel spills while your generator is hot. You should turn off your generator and let it cool off before refueling it. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important. This is only a reminder for everyone’s safety of using generators. Make sure your generator is properly grounded. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. Hope this helps. Thank you.

[@jed2055]

@@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast All good points that sadly not all will follow.

[@kmacradio]

It seems to me that the interlock switch would be a cheaper, as well as a much better choice than the Transfer Switch. I like the option of picking and choosing which circuits I want to run, from the main panel.

[@05tech]

Yeah, same here, I like how the interlock won’t let you turn on generator until main breaker is off. Simple, safe concept.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Please make sure you are aware with all the hazards of using generators. Generators can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Here is what everyone really needs to know and be aware with. Always remember that carbon monoxide fumes are dangerous to inhale and it’s an odorless and colorless gas that you can’t see or smell. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. That’s why you should never run your generator indoors and having a carbon monoxide detector is very important as well. Your portable generator should be 15-20 feet away from your house and away from doors, windows, and vents. It’s never safe to use your generator indoors even if you have your doors and windows open. We also need to keep our children safe when we’re using portable generators so they won’t get electrocuted or burned by the generator which is dangerous. Make sure your children are not playing near the portable generator to avoid risks. Generators can be dangerous. It also says on the manual to keep children away at all times when the generator is running. Generators can be hot also. All instructions on the generator’s operating manual should not be ignored. Generators pose electrical risks. Do not ever connect your generator to a wall outlet to avoid back feeding. That can cause fire and electrocution on power lines which is also dangerous to your neighbors. Please don’t run your generator in wet conditions. You’ll get electrocuted if you use your generator while wet. You need to keep your generator dry. Don’t let it get wet. You also need a generator tent to protect your generator from getting wet. Do not overload your generator as well please. You need to use a heavy duty cord for your generator too. Make sure the cord is not worn out. Please turn on your generator first before plugging in appliances. And shut off your generator first before you unplug the appliances. Please never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to turn off your generator and let it cool off before refueling it to avoid fire risks. Generators can be dangerous if you don’t follow the instructions. Make sure your generator is properly grounded. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs and here is a video more about keeping your family safe while using generators. Thank you. Hope you all stay safe and this advice is only a reminder for everyone’s safety. Be safe.

[@ck3561]

Agreed, I have a main breaker panel. Then I have a owners pole on my property as well. I flip the main and transfer switch and for good measure I flip the breaker panel on the owners pole as well for good measure.

[@robertmunroe3976]

Interlock is the way to go, not the setup in this video.

[@damontroch4765]

The additional sub panel is good for customers that don't have room left in their panel to add double poll breaker for a generator. So that frees up space in the panel while providing you the essential circuits. So they both have their pros and cons.

[@Slickizme]

I love this video. Just what’s I’ve been trying to figure out. Thanks.

[@evanfrick2435]

Hi

[@thepilot7612]

Awesome video! Thanks for the explanation.

[@santibanez91]

Texans right now: Write that down! Write that down!

[@menow763]

Hahaha just came here for that .

[@TheBritishPatriot]

The second options seems like the better method, it allows for more flexibility and is all contained within one panel.

[@eosjoe565]

Agree. I installed an interlock in my panel. No need to pre-determine circuits that are generator capable and no need to rewire anything through a transfer switch. I can decide what I need to run by throwing breakers in the main panel. In my case, I can run everything except the electric hot water heater and central air so I simply turn off its breaker when running on the generator. But! If I **had** to have some hot water in an extended outage, I can turn off other circuits and run the hot water heater by itself until I get the water I need. I have little orange dot stickers in my panels marking the breakers that need to be turned off so that in an emergency there is no confusion.

[@eosjoe565]

@@Kevin-mp5of Funny. :-)

[@venividivici4253]

The British Patriot I see you everywhere.

[@augustreil]

@@eosjoe565, Best comment I've seen so far, and I've gone through roughly 60 !

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

I know all about generator safety: there is something that everyone really needs to know when using generators. This is for everyone’s safety. Please remember not to run your generator indoors. Keep in mind that carbon monoxide is dangerous. Generators can be dangerous if not used carefully so we should also keep our children safe when we’re using portable generators because children could be burned or electrocuted by the generator and even poisoned by carbon monoxide. This is what everyone really needs to know. Generators can become hot. Make sure you install a carbon monoxide detector just to be safe from carbon monoxide. Don’t run your generator in wet conditions. Don’t try to plug a generator cord into a wall outlet. Generators are outdoor use only. Only store your generator in a shed outdoors. Never indoors in your house or in your garage. Keep that in mind. Just reminding everyone to be careful using portable generators and hope everyone stays safe. Thank you

[@markdavis8888]

I hooked my generator up to the well house subpanel so that I will have water during a wildfire when the power provider will turn off the power. I used a rotary power selector switch for line or generator to the panel. Works great but I did have to learn about neutral/ground bonding since this is a subpanel when on line and a primary panel when on generator. Two different circuits depending on the power source.

[@frankviramontes3887]

I have that model 6500 yet the electrician told me that it can't run all the house which I understand. He installed the second option yet it seems that it doesn't want to work some small flickering and then nothing. Also he told me the cord was to long that it reduces the amps to start, I believe I have 50ft neighbor gave it to me. What is the normal or recommended lenght then . I have seen videos with a generac 5500 and they are running at least half of the house. Any recommendations to what's going on is appreciated. Thank you!

[@SoorajGopakumar]

Kevin is an amazing host! Asks all the right questions to bring out all the useful information a normal person would want to know.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

It's all scripted. Everything he says and do is directed by screen writers.

[@electricianron_New_Jersey]

@@oldtwinsna8347 I'm going to add that Kevin has hosted TOH and ATOH for over 15 years now. In that time he's done a lot of work with the professionals on the job site. He knows what to ask and does a good job.

[@MetaView7]

A few years ago, the power went out in our town. Someone fired up the generator, put it outside of the backdoor, and run an extension cord through the backdoor into the house. The CO sipped into the house, and sadly, killed everyone. So don't just put the generator outside; put it far away from any windows and door.

[@timbohouston]

Yes there are always huge warnings all over the box. Sadly many still don't know.

[@augustreil]

@@Kevin-mp5of, Oh man, don't say that.

[@pavelow235]

Why there should be more public service announcements about buying and maintaining carbon monoxide detectors

[@rupe53]

@@pavelow235 … what people fail to realize is where the CO comes from. I'll bet you can't find a CO warning label on any appliance, other than a portable gen set.

[@MetaView7]

@Michael W You can google the news story. But I bet you don't know how.

[@joeblow5958]

I have that same generator... it’s neutral is bonded to ground. Did you switch the neutral on that transfer switch? Did you disconnect the generator neutral from ground when using the interlock?

[@wb3115]

Nice job now I know the path I’m taking . Thank you

[@adama1294]

You should show how to wire an automatic transfer switch. It would come in handy with a solar system with battery.

[@arisacharya4895]

They have a video where scott Caron installed a portable generator transfer switch for a client in alaska

[@lostinmyspace4910]

@@arisacharya4895 How to Install a Manual Transfer Switch for a Portable Generator | Ask This Old House Click this>> kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX3KpXl5f9GJfLM

[@agoogleuser8219]

There are two things that are not mentioned in this video that you need to know. Number one, you cannot use a generator where the neutral is bonded to the frame or to the ground. Your house panel already has the neutral bonded to the ground and you cant have the neutral bond in more than one place in a circuit or else you get a potential current loop. It needs to be a floating neutral generator. Number two, the wiring installation method depends on where you are installing wiring. Keep in mind local electrical codes and the NEC when working on your house.

[@stclairstclair]

You seem to know your stuff, What about this situation. I'm running a neutral bonded generator through a suicide adapter cord (L14-30p to 6-50p) generator to welding outlet. I'm backfeeding my 50 amp welding outlet with two hots and a ground(as 6-50 outlet doesn't use a neutral) Should I "unbond" the generator or am I fine, also I'm assuming I should still connect the generator to a grounding rod in the grass?

[@agoogleuser8219]

@@stclairstclair I know enough to know when to get an electrician involved. You should probably talk to a licensed electrician. What I can tell you is what you are doing sounds pretty dangerous to me. You should never have cables with potentially energized male ends. Secondly, if you are backfeeding a panel, you need a neutral between the two hot wires else you may get 1 hot leg at 230v and the other hot at -10v potential (one should be at +120v and the other at -120v with neutral being at 0v).

[@stclairstclair]

A Google User, I was raised in my grandfathers home, I'm a third generation mechanic, These people would never hire anyone to do anything, They built the home we lived in, I made my suicide cord only one foot long so I can unplug each side without having to lay it down and walk to the other side of the house to unplug the other end, thanks anyway.

[@jed2055]

It's not mentioned because that isn't the point of this small video. I could point out that it didn't mention how to connect the transfer panel into the main panel or I could say it didn't show how an interlock is installed. But I won't say either because ALL that stuff and the two points you highlighted are the domain of a licensed electrician, not you the casual viewer. Get it?

[@amyw6414]

What if your fuse box has just half circuits and half breakers and how much is it to hook this all up? Thanks!

[@johnroberts9560]

Hi TOH , that's a good thing to have is a backup generator , just in case the power goes out or something ! 👍😊🛠

[@Engineer9736]

It’s just a luxury in my opinion. A day without electricity won’t kill you. Use a candle for light when it’s dark and otherwise go do some gardening or read a book or take a nap.

[@Box31Productions]

Are you serious we’re you born in like the 50s?

[@tjvaichus]

b8e71fcbe2e195c67d8d16734013d20f yeah we’re like on our 5th day of no power, a day or two isn’t bad but on the 3rd on want a hot shower. Glad I made a small investment a couple years ago

[@Dslrepairpro]

Only thing that sucks about these videos is all the Mike Bloomberg ads

[@augustreil]

No kidding, that idiot has already spent a half billion dollars. Watching him is like nails on a chalkboard, beyond irritating.

[@danielpeters4994]

HAHAHA!

[@interstellarsurfer]

It's funny - he thinks he'll win with a big ad budget. Most of us have already made up our minds.

[@DrDaddy-yg2ki]

I always want him to explain why, as gov of newyork, his city was more dangerous than 92% of all American cities. What a joke

[@graphguy]

Bloomberg is GREAT!!! I love how he is spending his billions to help get President Trump re-elected! MAGA 2020

[@BradiKal61]

It would be good to have mentioned that with all the electronics in a modern home you should get an inverter generator. They provide cleaner power without the voltage spikes that regular generators create. Inverter generators are also more fuel efficient and can be among the quietest.

[@march78]

since I only have 100amp service and no room to add a breaker for the generator I have to add a transfer switch correct? My only other option is to upgrade my panel, right?

[@Pk3_Garage]

Correct.

[@fabiodarocha2842]

In the case of using for an emergency backup, should I bond the generator or leave the neutral floating at the generator?

[@tubemember21]

My FIL is an electrician and wired my transfer switch for my floating neutral generator. He bonded the transfer switch to the neutral at my panel, which I'm assuming is code. I remember us specifically checking if my generator was bonded to the frame or floating.

[@petemontoyajr]

I really appreciate this video as just today I almost made the biggest mistake of someone coming out to my home to do a generator to home install. There were so many red flags, but as soon as I saw he was going to splice the outlet for the generator directly to the main power rather than using an interlock or transfer switch. I immediately told him to stop what he was doing. And undo everything saw him do and terminated all business with him and his company. Come to find out the were not accredited with the BBB and there were several complaints on how the work they were doing was not safe or legal. So now I just need to find a legit electrician to do this install of an interlock shown in this video located here in San Antonio. Thanks for your insights with this great video.

[@cavemancredo1193]

I have a 220 volt outlet in my laundry room. Can I find a dual male end cord to run my house? We have no city water and run off a well. Living in a wildfire area, I have no defense or power if they shut down power. Any help would be great.

[@mae2759]

No, that's called a "suicide cord" and is extremely dangerous.

[@AtomicQuotient]

Nice video thanks

[@XwpisONOMA]

Hey TOH, you should have shown how to wire the gen to the electrical panel.

[@cfoskeeter]

I think that the reason it wasn't shown is that this is not a do it yourself job. The wiring should only be done by a licensed electrician who would already know how to wire it.

[@kmacradio]

The power cord from the generator is plugged into the power inlet box which in turn is wired into the main electrical panel which should only be done by a qualified, licensed electrician.

[@Engineer9736]

The last time i experienced an outage must have been more than 20 years ago.. Perhaps this proves that powercables underground is a whole lot better.

[@eosjoe565]

@Nick J Around here some of our longest outages have been on clear blue days. Weird.

[@Engineer9736]

EOSJOE Maybe because the transformers blow up because of the heat, takes longer to fix than a cable 😛

[@joeblow5958]

There have to be above ground wires somewhere on your circuit... your not being fed underground straight off the local substation transformer. You must just not have a circuit that’s susceptible to many trees.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Please remember that portable generators can be dangerous if not used carefully. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs just hoping everyone stays safe. Thank you

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Most metro areas in major cities have extremely redundant systems with a lot of remote activated switching so outages are pretty rare and when it happens very short time periods. Rural areas are a whole different animal.

[@donnaspinelli7818]

Do you have a video covering the Generlink?

[@petersack5074]

Very concise, professional. You both work together very WELL, asking/answering all common questions. way ta go...the transfer panel, should be required by CODE, since the worlds' weather is changing. invest in gen companies...??

[@markroath98]

Is it possible to list the types of items necessary to install a generator?

[@Ratkill9000]

May need to contact an electrician and/or your power company. But usually you can find most items by searching for the essential items online. Its unfortunate they go through the trouble of explaining, but not through the trouble of listing the essential parts required.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

⚠️Here are the safety rules of using portable generators. This is a very important announcement for everyone. It is important to follow all generator safety rules whenever we use portable generators. This is a reminder: Everyone must see this. This is just a reminder for everyone’s safety. 1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards. 2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house. 3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules. 4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators Hope this helps. Please make sure you follow all the generator safety tips. Thank you

[@Angealies]

We use a interlock and we back feed our panel. Safe,Easy,Cheap,You just have more control. Backup power comes from a RANGER 10,000 welder but we use it for auxiliary power too. 9,000 Watts Continuous, 10,000 Watts Peak. I have timed it before and we get 11-12 hours on a full tank of gas. 9 gallons being full. It does power most of the house and we do turn off the big power draws. I would say if you live in a rural and small town like us and you lose power more than you like. Get a generator. Is my setup perfect?, No I'm sure there are better ways to go about it. However, It does do what i want and is reliable. I figured I'd put my two cents in.

[@augustreil]

Wow, 9KW ? That's great. What do you shut off, the water heater, stove, AC, Etc ? Thanks.

[@Angealies]

@@augustreil I'm glad you asked, Electric Dryer,AC Air Handler,AC Condenser, Electric stove "Downstairs Kitchen" The rest is propane or heating oil. Propane for our stove in the main kitchen area and water heater but water heater does need mains/backup power because of power vent to keep running. Heating oil for our hot water baseboard boiler, We do need main/backup power for that too. As for our water, It comes from the well and we do need main/backup power for that too. I believe that covers all of it.

[@frankiehompson2746]

How much would this on average cost not including the portable generator itself?

[@Iwillnotbepushed]

What about the Neutral? Is that not shared with the main inlet power? If the power company hears a generator running they will ground the neutral for their protection which will fry your generator. Does your system avoid this?

[@josephpuchel6497]

Alan Sawyer There is a ground connection on portable generator. It’s there but don’t see to many people using it.

[@rupe53]

@@josephpuchel6497 … there is an external ground but there's also a ground in the 4 prong plug that goes to the house, where it will actually get connected to the system ground of the home.

[@rupe53]

Alan Sawyer … The neutral only exists after the pole / pad transformer, where it's already tied to ground. (called bonding) Transfer switches and interlocks both keep power out of the grid side. There is NO other way to do it correctly from an installation viewpoint. As for the power company "grounding" during repairs... what you may see is a series of jumper cables going between the phases up on the poles. What they are doing is reducing the risk of potential (voltage) between "dead wires" and any possible malfunction. These malfunctions could be a branch across wires, live wires on the ground, dead squirrel across a fuse, shorted transformer, etc. There's all sorts of issues that can accidentally put power back on a dead wire. It's all about safety while doing repairs.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Also be careful using portable generators

[@georgephillips1185]

🤙 great information

[@johnupchurch7685]

Thank you!

[@moodberry]

What is unclear is the transfer switch. He said just turn it on. But what he didn't say was whether or not I have to turn off the main breaker when I flip the switches on the transfer switch. Do I?

[@moodberry]

@@Kevin-mp5of I guess that's what is confusing me. You have a transfer switch that feeds breakers on the main panel, and when you flip the switches on the transfer switch it allows electricity from the generator to feed those circuits. So what is it that keeps the electricity from feeding back to the generator if the power comes back on?

[@whirledpeaz1]

@@moodberryNo you don't have to turn off the main breaker. Because the things that are powered from the generator are electrically disconnected from the main panel breaker until you switch back to line for each circuit. In other words, they cannot be connected to both line and generator at the same time. Think about it this way, in a home you typically have a front and back door. These doors are usually separated by several feet. When you come home, you can choose to enter the front door OR the back door but not both at the same time. Additionally, when you are inside your home, you can't place your hands on both doors simultaneously. Hope this makes it more clear. This video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX3KpXl5f9GJfLM should help explain it better than I did.

[@robertstetson4077]

Didn't see a whole lot of wiring going on

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

Because you should not be doing it. You can kill a linesman working on the grid. As you screw up and back feed the grid. I read stories where people installed their own Solar system. And did just that. Killed the linesman. When the power went out. They are now in jail for it.. Call an Electrician.

[@G_de_Coligny]

Master Chief 00117 so... that’s why they should make videos on how to do or not to do...

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

@@G_de_Coligny Do what ever the hell you want. As they don't teach it as electrical fact. they still teach it as Electrical theory 300+ years later for a reason.. As what takes people years to understand. No 1 hour video will tell you what happens. When you get it wrong.. I buried plenty of Licensed Electricians..That thought they had it figured out. Good Luck

[@Laffy1345]

@@MasterChief-sl9ro I read somewhere, on Solar your meter will be going backwards, and you can sell the electric back to the Electric company. Now I know that's what back voltage is and could kill a lineman.

[@rupe53]

@@Laffy1345 … solar feeding back into the grid is fine as long as the grid is up. When the power goes out it needs to automatically disconnect so repairs can happen safely. UL approved equipment that is properly installed can do this.

[@hoovie3000]

Should the generator have a floating neutral?

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Here is a reminder about portable generator safety: this is only a reminder for anyone who use portable gas/propane generators. This is just to make sure that everyone is aware of all the warnings and it’s just to remind people to be careful using portable generator during a power outage. Everyone has to see this safety reminder. Every year after hurricane and winter storms, there were reports on the news that many people have died each year when using generators due to carbon monoxide poisoning and electrocution during a power outage. There were reports about deaths when using generators when the power was out. There is something very serious that everyone should always be aware of when using generators. Some people do run their generator indoors which is not safe and that increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which can cause death of family and you. Some people run their generator in wet conditions which can electrocute them. Here’s an advice about generator safety: please remember that you should never run your generator indoors. Remember that carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that you cannot see or smell. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Keep that in mind. Make sure your generator is 15-20 feet away from your house and away from doors, windows, and vents. Having a carbon monoxide detector is very important against generator safety. Some people also allow children to go near the portable generator which could pose risks. We need to keep an eye on our children making sure that they are not near the portable generator so they won’t get electrocuted or burned by the generator which is dangerous. A locking enclosure also keeps kids safe. A generator shed might look like a tempting place to explore, or take cover during a game of hide and seek, but a generator is a dangerous piece of equipment that can cause injury. It says on the manual that we should also keep children away at all times from the portable generator to avoid injuries. Please do not permit a child or unqualified people to operate the portable generator. Generators pose electrical risks. If you need to use your generator during wet weather, you need a generator tent to protect your generator from getting wet. Don’t let your generator get wet. Keep your generator dry and before using your generator, please make sure your hands and your generator is dry. Everything that is said on the generator’s operating manual should not be ignored. Never smoke cigarettes near the generator. Please keep flammable things away from the generator. Never overload your generator too. Your generator can catch fire. Never ever try to plug a generator cord into a wall outlet to avoid back feeding. Back feeding your generator is dangerous. Always turn on your generator first before plugging in appliances and shut off the appliances before turning your generator off. Use a heavy duty cord for your generator and the cord should not be worn out. All the instructions should be followed carefully. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. It can cause fire if fuel spills while your generator is hot. You should turn off your generator and let it cool off before refueling it. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important. This is only a reminder for everyone’s safety of using generators. Make sure your generator is properly grounded. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. Hope this helps and everyone understands the safety requirements. Thank you. Be safe.

[@stclairstclair]

Most are bonded, just use an ohm meter from ground to neutral on your L14-30 on the generator(while off) to check.

[@MrBritrider]

Do all modern portable generators shut off if overloaded, or do generator circuit breakers go off? Confused about that. Also, my gen has a 30 and a 50 amp receptacles should I use the 30 or the 50 if I run an interlock switch.

[@12wingwfetech]

What happened to Scott Carron I think that was his name ,the other electrician ?

[@oldtwinsna8347]

He wrote on his page that his contract was over.

[@Fusiongearz]

The bald man is gone too? sad times

[@davidgagnon2849]

@@Fusiongearz I think it's a conspiracy against bald guys....

[@Laffy1345]

@@davidgagnon2849 lol

[@jimmycao7418]

@@Fusiongearz lol

[@avalon449]

An interlock is the way to go.

[@interstellarsurfer]

Technically, they're both interlocks - but the flimsy piece of stamped metal is more likely to get someone killed, when some know-it-all figures out that it can easily be bent out of the way.

[@dbc7772011]

How much to hire someone to install all this?

[@blueskys8876]

I had all this installed by a licensed electrician and it cost me 1400 . I live in Florida and I'm single female .I take care of my mother and wanted this done safely and easy for me to understand and use

[@jptrainor]

These were recalled. When the handle folds up it can crush or amputate fingers. It also carries electrocution risk, carbon monoxide poisoning risk, and fire risk. Somehow people avoided all those and managed to amputate their fingers.

[@richardcranium5839]

no mention on how to size the generator for the loads especially with motors like a well pump

[@poppaluv]

That's' not what this video was about. They only have 20 minutes

[@Ratkill9000]

Figure about 3500 watts for central air. 1000+ watts for microwave. Few lights might be 60 watts. TV about 60 watts. Tower computer, 1200 watts. Basically your air conditioning, electric stove/oven, and electric dryers probably not want you want to run off a portable generator. For essential items 6500 watt running is plenty for most homes. For everything, you wanted at minimum a 10,000 watt running generator and larger. At that point, you are looking at home standby generators from Generac, Kholer, etc. These will run off your main natural gas line, or LP gas if you are on Propane.

[@s.mauricerached5996]

Can install a combination of both a transfer switch and direct connect? For example, using a 12KW generator, can I connect the 50A outlet to the main panel using a interlock device, and, at the same time, the 30A outlet to a transfer switch? Otherwise, how do I get all available 80A or 100A into the house?

[@dwh3276]

No need for both. We have a 13kw generator with a manual transfer switch that runs the whole breaker box off a 50 amp line from the generator. So as long as we only run two of the big three (a/c, well, and dryer) at any one time, we can keep everything on.

[@Pyth110]

@@dwh3276 That's great for you, but they're asking about their own situation, not yours.

[@Brandon-ch2ot]

Can you show how reliance controls wires into the panel? Maybe a part 2? Also you left out you need a wire from the outlet to go to the generator panel

[@Malandrin]

you can see that in an older video in this youtube channel :)

[@Techmatt167Official]

Typical Homeowner I think it’s pretty straight forward to have a wire

[@gfriedman99]

How about a wireless option.

[@Engineer9736]

TFo For the people who where not worried about 5G yet 😉

[@414RadioTech]

also don't forget you would much rather get one that you can use with a propane or natural gas kit just in caseBecause if using gasoline you run the risk of not being able to go get more gas if it runs out so the benefits of running it off of either a natural gas or propane line would be the fact that it would almost be unlimited runtime which is a big benefit to those long-term power outages as long as the gas lines aren't affected you'll still have unlimited gas supply from the natural gas line

[@barretteggebraaten1998]

I put an interlock in. Haven't had to use it 🤞🤞

[@QuaabQueb]

And how do you know when utility power is back so you can turn the thing off......... If you are going to go through the expense and ordeal of having an electrician come and wire in a generator circuit might as well go all out and get a full size generac with automatic transfer switch

[@augustreil]

We just look down the street and see if a road light or other peoples homes have their lights on. As for going full bore on getting the whole set-up with an auto trans switch, that could cost a home owner 10-15k, compared to a grand with the generator, wire hook up, the whole sh-bang. I guess it depends on how many times you lose power ?

[@danielpeters4994]

All about cost in the end

[@QuaabQueb]

@@augustreil These days for under 10K you can get one installed with auto transfer. (the larger you go in generator size, the high the price) Checking streetlights and neighboring homes is not reliable as they are often on different circuits (this is why some times you see one half of a street with power and the other with out, or the street lights on and homes with out power)

[@augustreil]

@@QuaabQueb, That would be pretty tough to get the whole set-up for 10k or less here in Ct, but I guess it's possible. I went to Harbor Junk and bought one of those 8.75K surge, 7.5K continuous and back fed it through a 220 breaker. I have had to use it 6 times in the last 4yrs and it's been great so far, (fingers crossed) !!

[@interstellarsurfer]

@@QuaabQueb The home Generac systems run on LPG or NG, that's not readily available for many people. Diesel and gasoline are available to everyone.

[@DG-ou8hx]

If the generator provides 30 amps, why do you not have any 30 amp breakers on your switch? Could you?

[@heathbarker3004]

Interlock is the way to go...

[@AtomicQuotient]

Definitely, I like the flexibility of been able too choose.

[@michaelhardy8589]

Great this video

[@HAMRADIOJOE4178]

PRETTY COOL

[@ericouellette5293]

My dad runs 2 electrical cords into the house from the generator if the power goes out. Mostly just at winter to keep the pellet stove, fridge and a light going. He has heavy duty electrical cords to do it. He does run the generator in the garage but it's a unattended garage and he leaves a door open. His generator he uses is really loud so he keeps it in the garage to try to keep the noise down. Thankfully he lives out in the country so the neighbors are not close by. It works for him. They don't lose power often so really wouldn't be worth the cost to hook it up right. This winter they lost power once. Last winter they didn't lose power at all. His generator is a 3,500 watt enough for what he needs. He also has a 2,500 watt but he uses that for camping as it's quite.

[@michaelk644]

Super👍

[@ozarad6263]

So classy

[@Techmatt167Official]

So how do I wire a portable generator?

[@augustreil]

There are quite a few ways if you're a really good handy man with common sense. Never mind, I see what you did ! lol. Thanks !!!

[@interstellarsurfer]

Apparently, you hire an electrician. 😋

[@rupe53]

Techmatt167 … You don't wire a generator. The factory does it when it's built. If you want to know how to wire the house to use a gen set, well they didn't cover that part.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Please remember that portable generators can be dangerous if not used carefully. We should also keep our children safe when using generators so they don’t get electrocuted or burned and even poisoned by carbon monoxide. Just reminding everyone to be careful using portable generators. Make sure you read the manual carefully before using generators. Thank you

[@mb5925]

When wiring the generator to the panel with an interlock you have to be aware that the generator should have a floating neutral. Unfortunately, most generators under 15kW have bonded neutral. Check the code in your jurisdiction.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

I agree with you. I know a lot about generator safety: there’s something that everyone really needs to know about when using generators. We should also keep our children safe when we’re using portable generators because generators can be hot which can burn them or electrocuted them and they could also get poisoned by carbon monoxide. This is what everyone really needs to know. Generators can be dangerous if not used carefully. Generators should not be used indoors because of carbon monoxide. Make sure you Install a carbon monoxide detector. Don’t try to plug a generator cord to a wall outlet. Don’t run your generator in wet conditions. Don’t even run your generator in enclosed areas of your home. Don’t run your generator in a garage. Generators are outdoor use only. Keep your generator 20 feet away from your house. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs and here is a video more about generator safety and keeping children safe. I’m just hoping everyone stays safe and be careful using portable generators. Make sure you read the manual carefully. Hope you stay safe. Thank you

[@nova31337]

@@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast Code is to have a minimum of 5 feet distance from the house or any opening (window, vents, etc). You can put it 20 feet from your house, but that can be excessive and some may not have that much space to accomplish that. The idea is that it should be in an open outdoor space not confined in any way and away from any combustable materials that could take in ambient heat from the generator and potentially catch fire. Keep in mind, the further away from the house the generator is, the longer your power cable needs to be. Though the longer your cable gets, you need to make the cable thicker otherwise you could overload the cable and cause it to melt.

[@yuvgotubekidding]

And what is the average cost of installation? Around 10k minimum?

[@DonkeyLipsDA3rd]

$500 -800 for the whole house one..

[@lloydmills9619]

An interlock and inlet is 800-1200 the transfer switch shown is 600-800 more.

[@websurfer44]

I like the first method because the rest of the house can still be "on" when power comes back on and you'll know its back on because things that aren't connected to the generator will begin working (if they were left on).

[@BobBob-il2ku]

They sell an alarm you can put in the panel for the interlock kit

[@_Snapper]

watching this from europe given current events

[@sastrugi4471]

First panel seems smart.

[@embracethesuck1041]

Depending on what you need, a lot more expensive and complex to set up plus, as mentioned, less flexible. I'm sure each has its merits, but in an emergency, I've found that there's no substitute for flexibility.

[@Mr-Chris]

Would have been nice for them to show a generlink system

[@swanghome]

How do you wire behind the boxes?

[@louisianaguy2661]

They don't show that because they want a licensed electrician to do the wiring.

[@Richard-xo2uv]

Keep it outside BUT make sure it's NOT near any vents that will suck the poison into the house. Know where any potential hazards like that are around your home.

[@wholeNwon]

Not near windows, doors, vents, etc.

[@devildham]

How about using the generator to charge batteries and install a smart panel to control which devices actually get power during an outage.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Generator safety kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs

[@Bman01234]

An interlocks the way to go, that way power goes to the whole house as opposed to 10 or so circuits.

[@Cenlalowell]

Yep it's cheaper and you have use of the whole panel

[@jackhills824]

My panel box does not have a main shut off.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Make sure you use your generator carefully and please remember not to run your generator indoors. I know all about generator safety: we should also keep our children safe when we’re using portable generators so they don’t get electrocuted or burned and even poisoned by carbon monoxide. Generators can be dangerous if not used carefully. Generators can overheat that’s why we should keep our children safe as well. Just a reminder. Hope everyone stays safe. Thank you

[@robertmikita5745]

I have a 1288 sq ft house I want to hook up a portable generator can I run my dental air and heat unit with this

[@frankgriffin6671]

No

[@robertmikita5745]

Thank you foe your response then what is the safest way to run my central a.c. when my power goes out

[@rupe53]

@@robertmikita5745 .... buy a gen set that's 3-4 times larger than what you would otherwise need because that's what it will take. This is the biggest reason people don't run central AC with a gen set. Heck, unless it's a week long outage that's a LOT of extra money to spend.

[@dhammer6715]

It depends on if your AC is single stage or has multiple stages. If the first stage to turn on your AC only requires lower starting watts then your generator might be able to handle it. Also, an electrician can hook up something ( a capacitor?)) to your AC to allow for your generator to power it on.

[@chrisgraham2904]

A cost comparison between the two systems shown would have been nice. Misleading title....I didn't see any wire being installed.

[@gebraset]

I was wondering about costs as well, for both parts and labor.

[@healtc5069]

Interlock requires space on the box and a specific “lock” for how the switches are setup. Say $100. Plus the cost of the plug. Transfer switch will include the plug and will cost about $250 but will work with any panel.

[@tomschmidt381]

I went the generator interlock route for our house. The power wiring from the generator is the same so the only cost difference are the two isolation methods and labor to install. The interlock kit I used was about $65 several years ago.

[@ryanroberts1104]

This old house isn't a "how to" show...it's a "How to call a guy" show.

[@rupe53]

@@ryanroberts1104 ... it's about educating the consumer these days. (DIY at your own risk)

[@augustreil]

I bought a Harbor Freight generator for 699.00 It's a 7500 watt continuous, 8750 surge. I back feed it through a 30 amp 240 breaker. BUT, BEFORE I DO ANYTHING, I shut off the Main breaker and all the big draw appliances like the water heaters, ovens, clothes dryers, Etc. I don't recommend this way for anyone, unless they completely understand what can happen and how dangerous and or deadly it can be. The great thing about doing it this way though, is the price, the fact that every light and receptacle will work and it's only one cord for powering my whole house.

[@augustreil]

@@Kevin-mp5of, Every time you fire up your generator, is the time you need it the most!

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Make sure you use your generator carefully

[@augustreil]

@@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast, You are 100% correct. Thank you !

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Here is a reminder about portable generator safety: This advice is just to make sure that everyone is aware of all the warnings and it’s just to remind people to be careful using portable generators. Everyone has to see this safety reminder for safety. Every year, hundreds of people die or get injured when using portable generators due to carbon monoxide poisoning and electrocution. Make sure you are using your generator carefully and keeping others safe as well. There is something very serious that everyone should always be aware of when using generators. Some people do run their generator indoors which is not safe and that increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which can cause death of family and you. Some people run their generator in wet conditions which can electrocute them. Please remember that you should never run your generator indoors. Remember that carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that you cannot see or smell. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Keep that in mind. Make sure your generator is 15-20 feet away from your house and away from doors, windows, and vents. Never use your generator in your porch too. Having a carbon monoxide detector is very important against generator safety. Some people also allow children to go near the portable generator which could pose risks. We need to keep an eye on our children making sure that they are not near the portable generator so they won’t get electrocuted or burned by the generator which is dangerous. A locking enclosure also keeps kids safe. A generator shed might look like a tempting place to explore, or take cover during a game of hide and seek, but a generator is a dangerous piece of equipment that can cause injury. It says on the manual that we should also keep children away at all times from the portable generator to avoid injuries. Please do not allow a child or unqualified people to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals missed what should be listed doesn’t mean it’s safe to do. Always follow the generator safety rules when using portable generators. Generators pose electrical risks. If you need to use your generator during wet weather, you need a generator tent to protect your generator from getting wet. Don’t let your generator get wet. Keep your generator dry and before using your generator, please make sure your hands and your generator is dry. Do not wear loose clothing when operating the generator. Everything that is said on the generator’s operating manual should not be ignored. Never smoke cigarettes near the generator. Please keep flammable things away from the generator. Never overload your generator too. Your generator can catch fire. Never ever try to plug a generator cord into a wall outlet to avoid back feeding. Back feeding your generator is dangerous. Always turn on your generator first before plugging in appliances and shut off the appliances before turning your generator off. Use a heavy duty cord for your generator and the cord should not be worn out. All the instructions should be followed carefully. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. It can cause fire if fuel spills while your generator is hot. You should turn off your generator and let it cool off before refueling it. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important. This is only a reminder for everyone’s safety of using generators. Make sure your generator is properly grounded. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. Hope this helps. Thank you.

[@stephenchan7626]

Cooperation request: Hi dear Mr.This Old House, could you tell me how to contact you, we want to cooperate with you. Look forward to your reply. Thanks and best regards!

[@adamguymon7096]

How do you set up a generator so when the city power cuts out the power from the generator will power your home as if the power never went out? For example, I have an 80,000.00 power chair and a CPAP machine and it's not good when they go out in the middle of charging and being used. Is there a way that a person can make it so nothing will lose power from the transition from city power to generator power without any devices like clocks etc stopping at all? It would be nice to have something that could power the entire home as if there was full city power? I know that there are some generators that when power is lost it may take a few seconds to a minute or two to start, I don't want that. Totally seamless. As city power is draining the generator has started and is slowly replacing power that is being lost so the same amount of power is entering the home.

[@kevinbeaulieu8771]

The only way for this to work would be to have a battery backup setup, and an automed generator. So you'd want a standby whole home generator with automatic transfer switch. Then when the power goes out the generator fires up after a couple minutes. Then you get a battery backup like a UPS for a computer system, and plug your CPAP device directly into that. You could also run the battery backup, and get a large enough backup to supply the CPAP while you hook up a portable generator (this would cost about 10-20% as much as a standby.

[@nckpacheco624]

Can someone tell me if the generator is perfect for a food truck?

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

It sure can be used for a food truck. I have some great advice to share: We also have been noticing that the small Honda inverter generators are becoming so popular and the best portable inverter generator. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4SUZWWYraurp5I here is a special video about the small Honda inverter generators. The Honda eu2200i generator packs a punch.

[@canon5dmarkiiii]

Wait, so how do you connect the generator to the second panel?

[@91BigDirty91]

Breaker. This is prob a 240/120 system. Only two Bus Bars so that's the reason for the 2P Breaker. Breaker is Fed from the wires of the Generator. Neutral and ground attached appropriately. If Prime power is off and the Gen is going the breaker still feeds all phases of your panel.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Don’t forget about the generator safety rules: Always make sure you follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your portable generator. This is only a reminder. Generators can be dangerous if not used carefully. Every year, hundreds of people die or get injured when using portable generators due to carbon monoxide poisoning and electrocution. Make sure you are using your generator carefully and keeping others safe as well. There is something very serious that everyone should always be aware of when using generators. Some people do run their generator indoors which is not safe and that increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which can cause death of family and you. Some people run their generator in wet conditions which can electrocute them. Please remember that you should never run your generator indoors. Remember that carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that you cannot see or smell. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Keep that in mind. Make sure your generator is 15-20 feet away from your house and away from doors, windows, and vents. Never use your generator in your porch too. Having a carbon monoxide detector is very important against generator safety. Some people also allow children to go near the portable generator which could pose risks. We need to keep an eye on our children making sure that they are not near the portable generator so they won’t get electrocuted or burned by the generator which is dangerous. A locking enclosure also keeps kids safe. A generator shed might look like a tempting place to explore, or take cover during a game of hide and seek, but a generator is a dangerous piece of equipment that can cause injury. It says on the manual that we should also keep children away at all times from the portable generator to avoid injuries. Please do not allow a child or unqualified people to operate the portable generator. It is important to keep your children safe especially little ones. The portable generator can be hot during an operation. Just because some manuals missed what should be listed doesn’t mean it’s safe to do. Always follow the generator safety rules when using portable generators. Generators pose electrical risks. If you need to use your generator during wet weather, you need a generator tent to protect your generator from getting wet. Don’t let your generator get wet. Keep your generator dry and before using your generator, please make sure your hands and your generator is dry. Do not wear loose clothing when operating the generator. Everything that is said on the generator’s operating manual should not be ignored. Never smoke cigarettes near the generator. Please keep flammable things away from the generator. Never overload your generator too. Your generator can catch fire. Never ever try to plug a generator cord into a wall outlet to avoid back feeding. Back feeding your generator is dangerous. Always turn on your generator first before plugging in appliances and shut off the appliances before turning your generator off. Use a heavy duty cord for your generator and the cord should not be worn out. All the instructions should be followed carefully. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. It can cause fire if fuel spills while your generator is hot. You should turn off your generator and let it cool off before refueling it. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important. This is only a reminder for everyone’s safety of using generators. Make sure your generator is properly grounded. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the safety rules. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. It’s important to keep our little children safe as well. Make sure your little children are kept away from the generator at all times especially when it’s running. Hope this helps. Always remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

[@bcarss1970]

Where is the"how to wire" part? Oh, I forgot. Its TOH.

[@austin62halo]

How can I ask my contractor to install something like this? I’m not the best with words.

[@joeblow5958]

Why doesn’t anyone ever talk about floating vs. bonded neutral on the generators? It impacts the way your disconnect needs to work at the panel (either the sub-panel or the direct feed with interlock). Get that wrong, and you could energize the frame of your generator.

[@bellyacre1]

They didn't talk about grounding the generator either.

[@claymcbunch1013]

Suicide plug backed thru dryer outlet is way to go

[@EMBer3000]

I've had 6 or so power outages where I live in 14 years, only two were longer than an hour. Buried cables and other services really cuts down on disruption. However much cheaper hanging cables off of poles are they aren't in the long run.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Don’t forget about generator safety kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs it’s important to keep our family safe while using generators. Especially children should be kept safe when using generators so they don’t get electrocuted or burned by the generator. Thank you. Just reminding everyone to be careful using portable generators. Hope you stay safe. Thank you

[@venividivici4253]

Not much wiring here. More of a product demo.

[@ilovefunnyamv2nd]

yeah, I was expecting that but hoping for more. turns out the ground wire isn't connected to anything

[@embracethesuck1041]

I think they skew to a less savy audience for this stuff. That being said, understanding basic options was certainly useful for a segment of their viewers. What I wish they would have discussed was relative cost. For example, I know that those separate panels cost several hundred dollars, where the interlock generally won't cost one hundred. Plus, giving people a ballpark for what an electrician will charge would have been useful.

[@sharpshooter012345]

How's Roger?

[@kellydavid772]

What about an automatic transfer switch and a stand-by unit? There are more options and wiring up a transfer switch would make for a good episode.

[@liamwelsh5565]

Automatic transfer switches typically aren't used in houses because there's no need for them and they cost a lot more money. The transfer switch itself cost more money and you need a permanent generator which also costs more. They're good when a building needs uninterrupted power 24/7 such as hospitals, fire halls, etc.

[@VolpeInCalze]

Out hous is wired weird that a transfer switch wasnt practical. Went for the interlock and just shut the dryer and range.

[@louish.9414]

Why newer homes not have this technology are grandchildren homes will be far safer and energy efficient than we will ever see.

[@jessstuart7495]

Ah yes, $50 sheet-metal interlock plates, because the general public cannot be trusted to switch off their main breaker when connecting a backup generator to their home.

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Don’t forget about the generator safety rules: Always make sure you follow all the generator safety rules whenever you use your portable generator. This is only a reminder. Generators can be dangerous if not used carefully. Every year, hundreds of people die or get injured when using portable generators due to carbon monoxide poisoning and electrocution. Make sure you are using your generator carefully and keeping others safe as well. There is something very serious that everyone should always be aware of when using generators. Some people do run their generator indoors which is not safe and that increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which can cause death of family and you. Some people run their generator in wet conditions which can electrocute them. Please remember that you should never run your generator indoors. Remember that carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that you cannot see or smell. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Keep that in mind. Make sure your generator is 15-20 feet away from your house and away from doors, windows, and vents. Never use your generator in your porch too. Having a carbon monoxide detector is very important against generator safety. Some people also allow children to go near the portable generator which could pose risks. We need to keep an eye on our children making sure that they are not near the portable generator so they won’t get electrocuted or burned by the generator which is dangerous. A locking enclosure also keeps kids safe. A generator shed might look like a tempting place to explore, or take cover during a game of hide and seek, but a generator is a dangerous piece of equipment that can cause injury. It says on the manual that we should also keep children away at all times from the portable generator to avoid injuries. Please do not allow a child or unqualified people to operate the portable generator. It is important to keep your children safe especially little ones. The portable generator can be hot during an operation. Just because some manuals missed what should be listed doesn’t mean it’s safe to do. Always follow the generator safety rules when using portable generators. Generators pose electrical risks. If you need to use your generator during wet weather, you need a generator tent to protect your generator from getting wet. Don’t let your generator get wet. Keep your generator dry and before using your generator, please make sure your hands and your generator is dry. Do not wear loose clothing when operating the generator. Everything that is said on the generator’s operating manual should not be ignored. Never smoke cigarettes near the generator. Please keep flammable things away from the generator. Never overload your generator too. Your generator can catch fire. Never ever try to plug a generator cord into a wall outlet to avoid back feeding. Back feeding your generator is dangerous. Always turn on your generator first before plugging in appliances and shut off the appliances before turning your generator off. Use a heavy duty cord for your generator and the cord should not be worn out. All the instructions should be followed carefully. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. It can cause fire if fuel spills while your generator is hot. You should turn off your generator and let it cool off before refueling it. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important. This is only a reminder for everyone’s safety of using generators. Make sure your generator is properly grounded. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the safety rules. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. It’s important to keep our little children safe as well. Make sure your little children are kept away from the generator at all times especially when it’s running. Hope this helps. Always remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

[@wholeNwon]

Would you trust the "general public"? I sure wouldn't.

[@Brandon-ch2ot]

Ha! Just bought this kit off amazon

[@christineacas2861]

I am buying a portable generator, after the horrific experience of living through the grid failure last year here in Austin, TX. I just had my electrician, refuse to install one of these options even though he was replacing my panel and upgrading my service. Has anyone ever heard of this? I couldn't get him to do this. Is this normal? Needless to say, he's not going to do any further work for me.

[@blackridge1491]

All these overly high level reviews don't give any good, critical details about these installs and they give some misinformation about the capabilities of a portable generator. There are units out there you can buy that will easily accept multiple types of fuel and very easily run your central A/C and other circuits in your home if you're selective about which you have on together. A portable unit with adequate wattage can absolutely run a central A/C without issue.

[@stclairstclair]

Correct, but many people cant afford a 20k Generac

[@blackridge1491]

@@stclairstclair you can run your central AC with something that covers the Amps needed to run it. Install a $325 soft start kit and a generator that will push the 30-40 apms needed and done. Those generators run $900-$1000. There are multiple guides on YT showing peole running their central AC with a 7,500 watt unit.

[@JohnT2088]

Is there any other brand that runs less loudly than the honda brand but affordable? Honda cost way too much for me. Way more than this one for sure

[@oscarmuffin4322]

All generators run loud. You want quieter you gotta pay more.

[@eosjoe565]

There are a dozen companies now that sell quiet enclosed inverter generators similar to the quiet Hondas. The only issue is most of them are only 2000-3000 watts so they aren't ideally suited for use as a whole-house generator. They would however, work fine for just powering a fridge, freezer and some lights.

[@augustreil]

john tran, Like Oscar said, they're all loud, some more than others. Check out what some people do with just some ingenuity and pieces of plywood here on KZbin. You can literally cut the sound blast by almost half with some strategically placed pieces of wood.

[@gfriedman99]

Get u some earplugs

[@interstellarsurfer]

Look for 1800rpm operating speed. It costs more, as you need a more powerful engine, and more expensive windings in the generator _for the same wattage_ 3600rpm generators use smaller windings, usually with a small engine running at the verge of self destruction.

[@raymondgarafano8604]

Yes this way works but way too much work in wiring ya don't need. get the mechanical interlock that must have the MAINS off so u can turn on Gen breaker, Just have a good idea of what ur using and its watts. yup u never want power to go up the service drops.

[@giuseppe896]

No matter how you sell it it's still a GENECRAP

[@kmacradio]

Huh?

[@fourfortyroadrunner6701]

Annoys me that people like Lowes/ HD and others dont seem interested or knowledgable about interlocks or stocking them. I installed one, had to order it online. HD was little help