Portable InstallationYou have two main options when hooking up a portable generator. If you are hooking up a permanent generator the process and considerations are different and we will get into that in the next section. Your first option if you are working with few appliances is to plug them into it directly. That is fairly simple but wont work if you are running more than a couple items. Your other option is to use a heavy duty outdoor-rated extension cord. When picking one out you need to consider the cumulative appliance load. Its rating needs to at least be equal to your power consumption. Check that the cord has three prongs, and has no cuts or holes in the casing. If you overload the cord you take chance of it overheating and starting a fire. Do not under any circumstance plug the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as "back-feeding". This will put not only you but utility line workers at serious risk as well. If back-fed, your utility transformer can increase the lower voltage to thousands of volts, more than enough to kill a lineman doing repairs.Permanent Installation?When you install a permanent generator it should be wired into the house or office wiring directly by using what's known as a power transfer switch. This switch should be installed by a licensed electrician to comply with National Electrical Code (NEC). In particular a double-pole, double-throw switch is recommended. This will make it so not only is your generator not back-feeding, but when the power is restored the switch will protect your generator and appliances from being surged or affected at all by the power coming from the lines. There are 3 settings on the switch: Line, Off, and Gen(generator). In the Line setting power is being fed from the power lines. In Gen the power is coming from the generator. To switch form one to the other you must pass through the Off position which creates a positive break to avoid damaging any equipment as a result of sparks, arcs, and short-circuiting. |