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Message
re: Running a generator through a dryer outlet
Posted on 9/11/24 at 7:13 am to Napoleon
Posted on 9/11/24 at 7:13 am to Napoleon
quote:
The issue is so many people are freaking idiots they don't turn off the main.
exactly. I have a 220 plug mounted under the panel box inside my shed have it wired to a breaker inside that box dedicated just for the generator. I also have a breaker inside the panel box in my house that is also dedicated for the generator. I just turn the main off in shed Then fire up the generator and turn on my generator breakers then I am good to go. I just turn on the breakers I will use and leave the rest turned off. I don't even move my generator out of my shed, just open the door to let it vent. Fire it up and let it back feed to my house. But you the first thing you must always do is turn of the main.
This post was edited on 9/11/24 at 7:14 am
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Posted on 9/11/24 at 7:14 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
No, but it is dramatically safer.
I'm still noodling on the comment earlier about backfeeding the transformer through the neutral on an unbalanced load. Some transfer switches are just a lock bar to prevent having both the main breaker and generator breaker closed at the same time, which as far as I known is code approved. The neutral in the house is tied to ground, the generator neutral and case is grounded, I don't see how in normal use you would end up with volts on the neutral tap of the transformer. Seems any neutral current would go back to the generator or to ground.
yea i dont get it either, i havent been able to figure out that comment from him
but you are referring to an interlock, not a transfer switch. transfer switch should eliminate all of this and is code approved
Posted on 9/11/24 at 7:21 am to lsu777
Right. Are interlocks not ok? I thought they were but I'm no residential electrical inspector.
Regardless, I hope he comes back with some more info. I gotta know why it would end up on the transformer neutral.
Regardless, I hope he comes back with some more info. I gotta know why it would end up on the transformer neutral.
Posted on 9/11/24 at 7:24 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
Right. Are interlocks not ok? I thought they were but I'm no residential electrical inspector.
Regardless, I hope he comes back with some more info. I gotta know why it would end up on the transformer neutral.
no they are as far as I know, i was just saying they are different than a true transfer switch
and his comment on neutral doesnt make any sense, because if so then why would an interlock and transfer switch be to code?
Posted on 9/11/24 at 7:30 am to lsu777
quote:
his comment on neutral doesnt make any sense, because if so then why would an interlock and transfer switch be to code?
Exactly what got me noodling in the first place.
I just don't see how it would end up going to the transformer neutral unless the generator neutral wasn't connected or not bonded properly.
He does make a good point though, it wouldn't take much to end up with a good bit of volts on the primary side and light someone's arse up if they just started grabbing transmission cables barehanded.
Posted on 9/11/24 at 7:31 am to lsu777
Glad I'm not the only one struggling with that comment.
I guess the point is that even with the main breaker off and meter pulled, your panel is still electrically connected to the grid via the neutral/ground, so it's possible for current to flow that way.
I guess the point is that even with the main breaker off and meter pulled, your panel is still electrically connected to the grid via the neutral/ground, so it's possible for current to flow that way.
Posted on 9/11/24 at 7:39 am to Korkstand
quote:
I guess the point is that even with the main breaker off and meter pulled, your panel is still electrically connected to the grid via the neutral/ground, so it's possible for current to flow that way.
then why is an interlock and transfer switch within code?
they dont isolate the neutral/ground
his comment is kind of freaking me out a little because making me question every damn thing i thought i knew. I understand the neutral would still be connected but i dont see how it would send a current through it
and after reading this thread, you are right...most people should not be using the dryer outlet method because they are retarded. i forget that many times things that i think are common sense on how to work on them are not. But in my defense an interlock with a separate plug is the same thing as the dryer outlet with the main turned off. it just dummy proofs it to an extent.
This post was edited on 9/11/24 at 7:43 am
Posted on 9/11/24 at 7:58 am to NatalbanyTigerFan
This sounds like a terrible idea
Posted on 9/11/24 at 8:15 am to lsu777
quote:Yeah I hear ya. Still struggling with it though because it's still connected and because the poster who brought it up was very adamant about it.
then why is an interlock and transfer switch within code?
they dont isolate the neutral/ground
Posted on 9/11/24 at 8:17 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
he generator neutral and case is grounded
Do not ground the generator neutral. If you do that, you create a separately derived system and then you must switch the neutral at the transfer switch.
You should have one main bonding jumper at the service entrance. Any unbalanced current on the neutral will flow back to the source, which in this case would be the generator.
Posted on 9/11/24 at 8:18 am to Korkstand
quote:
Still struggling with it though because it's still connected and because the poster who brought it up was very adamant about it.
Same. I do mess with medium voltage stuff a good bit so I feel like I oughta know this, but I don't.
That guy posts alot and obviously does some kind of power transmission work. He'll be back.
Posted on 9/11/24 at 8:38 am to TheDeathValley
quote:
had a 50A box installed when we built our house. They added an interlock device for circuit panel. Impossible for use to to flip on the generator switch without first turning off the main switch.
Have something similar on our house. It's only a 30 amp and there's no interlock device. I trip the main and a few others off as I can't run the whole house.
Posted on 9/11/24 at 8:56 am to Shexter
We have been doing this for years. Turn off main breaker and never had a problem.
Runs everything except main A/C...
Runs everything except main A/C...
Posted on 9/11/24 at 9:06 am to lsu777
I sure AF hope the interlock kit/male end shrouded plug I have is NEC approved. The conversatiion I had with the very much legit electrician shop went something like this: "Hey I need something code approved that is as close to idiot proof as I can get it to be able to run a few circuits at my house in the case of a power outage". Electrician: "No problem, what you need is an Interlock switch on your outside panel and a plug for a generator cord, we'll get you fixed right up".
I feel like I got myself acquainted with order or operation, printed it out and put it in a plastic sleeve in case its ever needed and I'm not around. I run the thing periodically and run dry run the checklist because if I'm gonna need it, Its probably going to be under a stressful situation.
TLDR: I hope the interlock situation is a legit and code approved deal that isn't likely to maim or kill me or someone else.
I feel like I got myself acquainted with order or operation, printed it out and put it in a plastic sleeve in case its ever needed and I'm not around. I run the thing periodically and run dry run the checklist because if I'm gonna need it, Its probably going to be under a stressful situation.
TLDR: I hope the interlock situation is a legit and code approved deal that isn't likely to maim or kill me or someone else.
Posted on 9/11/24 at 9:10 am to BigPapiDoesItAgain
It is. A regular interlock with a plug and cord is a very standard way of doing this.
Your generator should have a ground lug on it, and the ultra right way to do it is to ground the generator frame properly with a ground rod.
Your generator should have a ground lug on it, and the ultra right way to do it is to ground the generator frame properly with a ground rod.
Posted on 9/11/24 at 9:27 am to BigPapiDoesItAgain
quote:
I sure AF hope the interlock kit/male end shrouded plug I have is NEC approved. The conversatiion I had with the very much legit electrician shop went something like this: "Hey I need something code approved that is as close to idiot proof as I can get it to be able to run a few circuits at my house in the case of a power outage". Electrician: "No problem, what you need is an Interlock switch on your outside panel and a plug for a generator cord, we'll get you fixed right up".
I feel like I got myself acquainted with order or operation, printed it out and put it in a plastic sleeve in case its ever needed and I'm not around. I run the thing periodically and run dry run the checklist because if I'm gonna need it, Its probably going to be under a stressful situation.
TLDR: I hope the interlock situation is a legit and code approved deal that isn't likely to maim or kill me or someone else.
it is
that is why im having a hard time understanding the other guys comment about neutral and why others are too
essentially an interlock is just a safe, dummy proof way of doing the generator through a dryer outlet
it gets you to where you have to turn off the main to make it work no matter what so no forgetting etc(main should be off in an extended outage anyways to avoid surges as things come on and off)
and it give your a male end to plug into so if it calls out, you have a female end on the ground live and not a male.
it removes all the risk and this is why it is code approved.
Posted on 9/11/24 at 9:31 am to lsu777
Just an FYI per NEC 702.7(c) you are required to have this at your inlet. This was added in the 2020 NEC Edition. If your jurisdiction hasn't adopted 2020, this won't apply.
NEC 702.7(c)
NEC 702.7(c)
This post was edited on 9/11/24 at 9:36 am
Posted on 9/11/24 at 9:37 am to msu202020
I don't know what all the separately vs non separately stuff means. I've done industrial generator stuff for a decade now and I've never heard those terms uses.
Posted on 9/11/24 at 9:44 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
I don't know what all the separately vs non separately stuff means. I've done industrial generator stuff for a decade now and I've never heard those terms uses.
Separately derived system is where you are switching the neutral inside your transfer switch. In this instance you will bond the neutral of the generator to ground.
Non Separately derived system is when your neutral is solidly connected inside your transfer switch (non switched). In this instance your neutral and ground at the generator will not be connected (floating neutral).
This post was edited on 9/11/24 at 9:45 am
Posted on 9/11/24 at 9:51 am to msu202020
quote:
Non Separately derived system is when your neutral is solidly connected inside your transfer switch (non switched). In this instance your neutral and ground at the generator will not be connected (floating neutral).
Which is acceptable, correct? That's what you'd have with the dryer plug suicide cord and main breaker open. The neutral is still bonded inside the breaker panel, so you still wouldn't have to worry about energizing the utility transformer, correct?
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