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Portable Generators

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Portable Electric Generators

Summary: This series describes portable electric generators for home use and will explain the proper electrical connection to your home.

Looking at Portable Electric Generators to Decide if They Are Right for You
	Portable generators are handy for some applications This series will take a look at portable generators and help you discover if they are the right choice for your temporary power application.

Types of Home Generators

Home Generators

Generac portable generators

The Generac portable generators are a good example of a dependable home generator. Portable generators offer the best value and are great for powering up individual essential circuits or small loads.

Home Generators

Is a portable home generator a good idea?

Consider these guidelines to help understand if a portable home generator is a good idea for your home.

Methods for Connecting a Generator to an Electric Service Panel

Hi Dave,
I wish to wire a 7kw backup generator into my exterior home breaker panel. The power goes out several times a year for several hours at a time.
Can I use a 2 pole breaker to connect the generator power to the panel?
I have a L14P box attached to the breaker box. This feeds the breaker, albeit on the output of the breaker.
The utility feeds into the 200amp up top goes dead, I turn this off. I plug in generator, turn on its 2 pole breaker and both legs are energized. I manage my load with normal breaker control.
Thank you,
JB

Hi JB,
Sorry but No - this is not an approved way to connect generator power to your electrical panel, in fact it is illegal because it is very dangerous!
The correct way to connect generator power to an electrical panel is by using an approved device that will only allow one power feed to be on at a time. This is commonly accomplished by using a transfer switch, a generator circuit panel, or by installing a circuit breaker interlock kit. These methods will prevent the generator from back feeding power to the electrical utility lines which can be lethal to emergency crews working to restore your power, and will also prevent the electrical utility from feeding power to the generator and damaging it once the power is restored.