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Power cords are necessary to connect to these inlet boxes, but these cords are far beyond typical extension cords. They generally feature a twist-lock design, which means the homeowner inserts the prongs into the outlet and twists, locking the cord into the outlet to prevent it from pulling out. Next figure out where you want to plug your generator into your house from the outside. Buy an appropriate outdoor generator plug and wire to lead back to your power box. Have an electrician connect your outdoor plug to your power box using the circuit breaker.
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The Basics Of Connecting A Generator To Your Home
They kick in fast, keeping lights on and fridges running when the mains go down. Because they’re portable, you can move them where needed, from homes to campgrounds or construction sites. Your generator’s amperage rating should also line up with the transfer switch capacity to handle the load safely without causing any damage to your electrical system. Your home electrical system is like a network of roads that electricity travels on to get to your appliances and lights.
Do you have to turn off your main breaker when using a generator?
It is imperative to take safety measures when working with electricity to protect you, your family members, and your home. Expect to pay between $1,000 and $1,500 total for parts and labor. They stop dangerous back feeding where the electricity goes the wrong way down utility lines.
Step 4: Drill (or Find) Access Hole
There are several things that you need to consider, and you must get everything right. Buy an appropriate weatherproof outdoor generator plug and install the plug on the exterior of your home. First – an installed Transfer Switch is certainly the preferred method to connect your house to your generator. Home standby units are only good for powering your home, and if you move, you can’t take them with you. And unfortunately, the value of your home does not typically increase enough to recoup the cost of a home standby generator.
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Importance of Transfer Switches
This system has several key parts, including the service panel, which houses circuit breakers or fuses. Per Honda, a transfer switch changes the flow of electricity from your home's electrical panel to your home generator. It aids with electricity management and makes it possible to power your entire home with the use of a portable generator when necessary. No matter what type of generator you have, always consult the owner's manual for detailed instructions and safety guidelines prior to operation. Under no circumstances should you plug a generator into a wall socket, known as backfeeding. If you go the transfer switch route, get a professional installation.
How to Hook Up a Generator To Your House With a Transfer Switch
A power inlet box is necessary to hook the generator up to the home. These devices are installed on the home’s exterior and feature a port that the homeowner can use to connect the generator to the home. These devices are weather-resistant, but power inlet boxes with bottom-mount inlets are the safest to use. The most important step in installing a transfer switch is identifying which circuits from your main circuit board will be moved onto the transfer switch’s circuits. This determination will depend on which appliances you want to run during a power outage and the size of your generator.
Installing the Transfer Switch
You should only consider this option if you are comfortable working with electrical circuits. On the other hand, portable generators require some work and planning. Since they're not permanently hooked to your house, you'll need to make the connection each time you want to use it. While the power grid is generally a reliable source of electricity, power outages often occur. This may be due to extreme weather events, short circuits, and issues with the transmission lines or substations. To be prepared for an outage ahead of time, it’s possible to leave your generator connected to the transfer switch all the time.
Generator Cords
Determine if the breaker is centrally positioned or placed to the right or left of the other switches. Measure the distance between the main and branch breakers. Record the amperage of the main breaker and the orientation of the switch so you can match an interlock kit’s specifications.
Step 13: Install Inter Lock on Panel Cover
In this method, you will be connecting the generator directly to the house wiring. It is important to note that this method should only be used if the generator is rated for the same or higher voltage as the house wiring. The interlock kit is a bit more expensive than an MTS but it provides an extra layer of safety.
However, the user will have to manually monitor and select the circuits that are active to prevent overloading the generator. However, connecting a portable generator to your house without a transfer switch can present its challenges. A transfer switch can divide an electrical load between sources and is often used for backup generators in the event of power outages. The mainline from the utility pole usually attaches to a metal box on the side of your house. Find the box and shut off any breakers labeled “main.” If you’re unsure about which breakers supply power, turn off all the breakers.
A good ground directs stray electricity into the earth, lowering fire risks in case of a malfunction or overload. Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cables for connections to prevent them from overheating—a common cause of fires during improper use of generators. These protect your home from overload by stopping power if there’s too much demand. Wires run through walls and ceilings, connecting outlets, switches, and major appliances to the service panel. According to Portable Power Guides, they are against code in some areas — especially residential zones. Obviously, the cheapest way to connect your generator is by using extension cords.
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