How To Connect Portable Generator To A House Without A Transfer Switch

Table Of Content

• Do you have to turn off your main breaker when using a generator?
• Buy an Interlock Kit to Properly Shut Off the Main Power before Turning on the Generator Power
• How a Generator Works—and How to Safely Use One at Home
• Never Plug a Generator Directly into an Outlet
• Step 7: Wire the Generator Inlet Plug
• Pros and Cons of Portable Generators vs Home Standby Generators
• Method 1: Wiring the System

Use battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms for extra safety—they alert you if levels get too high inside the house. Now that your generator is plugged in and running, you need to make sure that it’s not overloaded. Look at the wattage of your appliances and make sure that they don’t exceed the generator’s wattage capabilities. If they do, you’ll need to either get a different generator or unplug some appliances. Master electrician Heath Eastman helps a homeowner install a generator transfer switch in his home. At DuroMax, we're committed to delivering the best portable generators to power homes and offices.

Do you have to turn off your main breaker when using a generator?

Having a transfer switch is mandatory in most states and jurisdictions. You will need to check with your local authorities regarding this matter to see if it’s necessary for you to have one. You are essentially choosing between a manual switch and an automatic one.

Buy an Interlock Kit to Properly Shut Off the Main Power before Turning on the Generator Power

Your Powerlite dealer will help you to choose one that works best with your power needs. A licensed electrician is recommended to install your transfer switch. Your local Honda dealer can often recommend a good electrician to help you with this. A transfer switch can also increase the usefulness of your generator.

How a Generator Works—and How to Safely Use One at Home

Simply start your generator and connect it to the transfer switch. The UTS will automatically detect power and adjust the circuits as necessary. When power is restored, disconnect your generator and turn it off. If your state or county codes allow for it, you can connect a portable generator to your house without a transfer switch. However, without a transfer switch, you have an increased risk for electrical fire, and electrocution.

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Never Plug a Generator Directly into an Outlet

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Because the generator requires regular maintenance, you will also want to factor in the cost for a maintenance contract. Installation typically takes a few hours, depending on the complexity of your system. Your electrician can advise you on these matters, or check with your local municipality regarding regulations near you. This helps you to use a smaller, less expensive generator to meet your power needs. It lets you use your generator more efficiently – with less effort on your part.

Step 7: Wire the Generator Inlet Plug

Heath uses a hole saw to cut through the shelves to run the conduit from the transferswitch to the exterior receptacle. Keep the generator at least three feet (one meter) away from buildings when the engine is running. The generator needs at least one meter of clearance on the top and all four sides for cooling.

With a portable generator, you can restore your home's electric supply. This is why portable generators are a crucial element of most people's emergency preparedness plans. Manual transfer switches work much like a traditional breaker box. To turn one set of appliances on or off, you simply flip the corresponding breaker. Plugging a generator directly into a wall socket is known as backfeeding.

The Right Way To Hook Up A Portable Generator To Your House

A transfer switch is the easiest and safest way to connect these items to the generator. However, you cannot power items like ceiling fans, overhead lights, or your furnace or hot water heater with extension cords. These items are wired into your home, so they don’t have a separate plug to connect to the extension cord. Extension cords are the easiest and least expensive option. If you only have occasional need for backup power, and you only want to power the basics, using extension cords is a good option.

Instead, plan ahead and gather the equipment when there's no emergency. This will allow you to assess and determine the best generator for your needs. And there's a high chance you'll buy it at extremely high prices as other people will also be shopping for one. As you prepare to purchase a portable generator for home or office use, you must understand what it is. Aside from providing lighting, it also powers phones, entertainment devices, and key household elements.

You won’t have to lift a finger; these generators turn on by themselves thanks to automatic transfer switches. If not connected properly, they can spark fires or leak carbon monoxide—a silent but deadly gas. Plus, you have to hire a pro for inlet box installation since DIY jobs could break codes and put everyone at risk.

If the power flows back into the utility grid, you could be criminally liable if linemen or workers are critically or fatally injured. A lower-cost, lower-tech option to link your portable generator to your home breaker box is to have an interlock switch installed. However, it is both illegal and extremely dangerous to have both main and generator power going into your home circuits simultaneously. As Upgraded Home explains, this can lead to electrocution of power-line workers, electrical fires in your home or wider neighborhood, and overloading the portable generator itself.