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Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel

Posted By: Foundryman

Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/17/25 06:00 PM

Best way to Hook Generator to Breaker Panel without Transfer Switch ? Thanks
Posted By: YamaCat

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/17/25 06:22 PM

By isolating the incoming feed from your supplier
Posted By: BigBob

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/17/25 06:30 PM

Wire in a master cord AFTER a master shut off So you don't fry the utility guy down the road somewhere.
Posted By: Lugnut

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/17/25 06:37 PM

I back feed from the 50 amp welder outlet in my shop. I have a service disconnect between the meter and the main panel. When it's off no current can flow through the transmission lines. I would think the switching off main breaker in your main breaker box would do the same thing but not certain.
Posted By: DelawareRob

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/17/25 06:45 PM

There isn’t one. Do it correctly.

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Posted By: Old Triumph Guy

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/17/25 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by DelawareRob
There isn’t one. Do it correctly.

Nothing more to say here...OTG
Posted By: vermontster

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/17/25 08:18 PM

My friend has a connection that goes on the electric meter socket and it automatically switches when you loose power and switches back to the utility line when the power comes back on. I can’t remember the manufacturer but I think you could google it by searching for Generlink. It’s for a portable generator hook up
Posted By: Dirt

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/18/25 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by DelawareRob
There isn’t one. Do it correctly.

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This ( the top picture) does not appear to be a transfer switch. If I'm interpreting this right, it looks like a safe way to do this other than possibly tripping the smaller breaker?
Posted By: Providence Farm

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/18/25 01:14 AM

yes dirt the plug for the generator is connected to the panel at the bottom left 220 but it can only be switched on when the metal plat is moved and it can only move when the main is turned off if my memory is correct. Been a few year since I was looking for the cheapest was to hook up generators.
Posted By: Shakeyjake

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/18/25 12:19 PM

Out here, anything relating to generation is a commercial inspection and has to be done by a licensed electrician…….only if the structure is connected to the grid. If not, guys can do whatever they want but maybe a building inspector would catch something.
It’s only happened twice to me where I’ve found a guy doing this, but it can get expensive for a guy that’s back feeding the grid during an outage. I cut them off the grid. The last one, I cut down his primary HV tap at the road, cut the transformer free and took the meter. He was fueling his generator for almost 3 months before he was reconnected. Had to hire an electrician to pull a permit for a safety inspection….which failed miserably. Paid for a brand new $4000 transformer, $180 meter, and the time the crews charged to rebuild his tap. Plus the electrician expenses for rewireing his red neck wire job.
Posted By: corky

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/18/25 12:23 PM

If it's not done with a permit by a qualified installer you can expect big insurance problems if there is an issue.
Posted By: Dirt

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/18/25 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Shakeyjake
Out here, anything relating to generation is a commercial inspection and has to be done by a licensed electrician…….only if the structure is connected to the grid. If not, guys can do whatever they want but maybe a building inspector would catch something.
It’s only happened twice to me where I’ve found a guy doing this, but it can get expensive for a guy that’s back feeding the grid during an outage. I cut them off the grid. The last one, I cut down his primary HV tap at the road, cut the transformer free and took the meter. He was fueling his generator for almost 3 months before he was reconnected. Had to hire an electrician to pull a permit for a safety inspection….which failed miserably. Paid for a brand new $4000 transformer, $180 meter, and the time the crews charged to rebuild his tap. Plus the electrician expenses for rewireing his red neck wire job.


Some kind of payback? If I remember right, during an outage both sides are supposed to be grounded before work begins so back feeding won't kill linemen. Back feeding may already hurt the back feeder if he is supplying multiple structures and when you short him out. Should blow the transformer fuse at least? or the main? or the generator breakers?
Posted By: old243

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/18/25 01:01 PM

Do it right once. Put in a generator panel. When you have an outage. We had an ice storm this winter, our power was off for two days. Powered furnace, water pump, microwave and a few lights . Just keep some extra generator fuel. Remember the gas station likely wont have power as well. Old243
Posted By: Oh Snap

Re: Best way to hook generator to Breaker Panel - 05/18/25 04:21 PM

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I mounted the disconnect next to my main panel. I have a 200 amp service so the disconnect is large! I have 2 gen sets, 20K and 30K at my shop so I can plug my house into either one. The problem is though when the power goes out here it can be chilly (-50) and difficult to go get and run that cold. So I developed another plan.

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I purchased the Honda and a kit to install it in the garage. Until I get the Honda hooked up I wheel it outside . Problem here is your generator disappearing during the night. So inside it will be and hopefully this summer I will finish the project.
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