Generator connection to house

[Ross J]

Ok, so I've got a new generator for the house and garage. I want to wire it to the household supply. I'm aware of the "hot wire" system where you disconnect the curcuit breaker and send the power through an existing plug. Whats the general opinion on this. I'm looking to only use it occasionally and only for lighting. It's a 2.2kw model.<br />Ross

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Generator connection to house

First let me fully admit that I have little personal knowledge of such a system, but one thing comes to mind. You would also need to make sure to cut the breakers to every major motorized appliance in the house...fridges, furnace, A/C, etc.<br /><br />If any of these things call for power while there's not enough to provide it from the generator, your power could come back on later and you'd be greeted by a bunch of burned out motors in these items and need some very expensive repairs.<br /><br />And you'd want to make DARN sure that it could not possibly feed power back into the power grid outside your home, or you could be held responsible for electrocuting a lineman.<br /><br />If it were my home, I think I'd either leave it stand-alone and run a couple heavy guage extension cords into the house when you need it, or pay up for the proper hookup with disconnects through the service entrance.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Generator connection to house

Might want to read this how to install your gen to service panel<br /> http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/home_improvement/1275631.html?page=3&c=y

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Generator connection to house

If you only want to power some lights, the easiest way it to wire a new circuit into the house. <br /><br />The way I have done it is find a smaller breaker panel. Wire in second sets of lights and outlets that will be backed up by generator. <br /><br />Otherwise all you need to do is run the generator lead into a switchbox with the line power. When you run generator power you can flip the switch to cut power from the lines. This is important so when the power company is repairing the lines, your not feeding juice back to them.

 

[KRS]

Re: Generator connection to house

Here you must obtain a permit so a record is kept on who is electrocuting linemen.

 

[heyttown]

Re: Generator connection to house

The correct way and "only" way IMO is to set a transfer switch.....To many people know other ways around hooking it up, and then forgetting to properly disconnect the service feed, Then when you do get a lineman working in your area, he gets a rude awakening by somebodys forgetfulness.....<br /><br /><br />Remember safer is always better then cheaper....Spend the $$$ and do it correclty.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Generator connection to house

2.2 kw is only 2000 watts.. not much power.. NZ voltage div. by 2000 is the amps<br /><br />if not a tranfer switch.. get a breaker of that amperage an install in your house panel.. <br /><br />un-used an just sitting there.. <br /><br />when you lose power,, TURN OFF PANEL's MAIN BREAKER.. <br /><br />hook the gen's hot lead (s) to your newly installed breaker.. along with the neutral an ground to the house panels buss bar..<br /><br />when power is restored.. turn off new breaker,, an throw on the panels big main breaker..

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Generator connection to house

Ross just curious,in N Z is the voltage straight 240v or 120/240v?

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Generator connection to house

Get a transfer switch panel, that is the only way to safely and legally connect a generator to a home anywhere in the developed world.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Generator connection to house

All Thumbs, voltage here is all 240v AC at 50hz. A lot of hotels and some individuals have 110 available in the bathroom for shavers although I don't know anybody that runs any 110v gear.<br /><br />Crab Bait, 2.2kvw is low but it's enough to power all the lighting in the house with some left over. We can survive without the water heater (alternative heating there) and stove (alternative fuel for that). We don't have a furnace or blower so with just the lighting we can survive well.<br />The other consideration is fuel @ NZ$1.29lts makes about NZ$5.85 a gal (thats around US$0.90ltr and US$4.10gal)<br />My genset will run for 13hrs on 15ltr or 3.3gal.<br /><br />Thanks for all the excellent advice. I think I'll talk with my electrician about the transfer switch and see where the cost will take us.<br />Ross

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: Generator connection to house

Ross,<br />Have a look at a motorhome power socket.<br />They mostly use a blue plastic IP plug and socket to connect to a power supply.<br />Any electrical wholesaler will be able to supply or get your electrician to do the whole job but you will need to disconnect the shore power when you fire up the genset.<br />I can give you details off my genset plugs if you need. Just ask.<br />I have a 10kva 3ph diesel genset for my workshop and an 1800 watt gasoline portable unit.<br />BTW which part of Auckland are you in?<br />Peter

 

[Ross J]

Re: Generator connection to house

peterf (kiwipete)<br />West Auckland, Henderson to be specific.<br />Thanks sport, I'd appreciate that.<br />Ross

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Generator connection to house

This is what you need . An emergency generator switch. safe and very easy to use. Wired right into my main panel. Just run a cord of correct size from this panel to your generator. <br /><br />

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: Generator connection to house

Ross,<br />I'll have a look at my plugs tomorrow and get some details.<br />From memory they are French manufacture "SCAME" or something like that.<br />Pete