Is it possible to plug a gas generator into an existing 220 receptical to power the house?

Question

I'm getting a gas generator for the upcoming rough weather. I was trying to get around a 5,000 to 6,000 watt generator to power some of the bare necessities during outages. The particular generator has a 220 receptacle that I was thinking of plugging into the dryer outlet. If power was lost, I would secure power on the breaker box from the line power. Next I would ground the generator using a 8' grounding rod. Finally I would run an 220 extension cord from the generator to the dryer receptacle. Has anyone ever done this, or could it be possible even to back feed the house like that? Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

ABSOULTELY NOT, CALLED BACKFEEDING!!! COULD KILL YOU OR A UN SUSPECTING ELECTRIC WORKER!!!

Answer 2

yes if it hooked directly to the box power feed you can get them custum fit just for this

Answer 3

Yes, it is possible, but can be EXTREMELY dangerous if not done properly. You need to put a transfer switch in between the generator and the panel, so it is impossible to have both loads on at once. Hooking it up to the dryer receptacle is backfeeding the system and very dangerous. If the power was to be retored while the generator was still supplying power to the system, it would be disasterous. Most of the Distribution manufacturers make a small 30A or 60A generator panel. You feed it with a breaker from your main service panel and also feed it from the generator. It has a 3 pole breaker in it that acts as the transfer switch so that the 2 hots AND the neutral are broken, so there is no chance of backfeeding. From this panel you supply your necessary circuits, such as some lights, freezer etc. That is a lot of work, but is the best and safest way to do it.  

Answer 4

DON'T DO IT!!!

IT COULD GET A LINEMAN KILLED!!!!

You need to isolate your house wiring from the outside source FIRST!

Linemen working on a downed line make sure the power from the power plant is shut off. If you have a generator powering your house, it WILL backfeed through the lines.

An isolation breaker box is cheap and easy SAFE fix. Other than that, use extention cords.

Answer 5

It is possible, but not advisable or Code compliant for good reasons:

1. You've got to be d**n sure that you open that main breaker first.

a.You can't power the grid, but you can kill an unsuspecting line worker

who 'knows' your side of the line is 'dead'.

b. If the power should be restored with the generator connected,

it would be 'out of phase'. The result could be very ugly indeed..

2. The plug you would have to install on the connection to the outlet

would have exposed live prongs when energized, and would be a very

dangerous object if comes out while that 'genny' is running.

3. By separately rounding the generator you might create a

'ground loop`. Your service ground is still connected at a different location, and there might be some potential difference.

In the cases of items 1. and 2. it's real easy to make a mistake if you're in a hurry, or upset because the power is out at a bad time,

and are you SURE that you're the only one who'll ever handle this

odd animal.

Answer 6

You would need to be able to isolate the main power coming into the house from the generator, so your generator is not trying to power the grid. This is normally done through a transfer switch. You can probably power any essentials by use of extension cords much cheaper and safer than your plan.

Answer 7

I did just this a few years ago.

I ran my central air unit and refrigerator.

Make sure you shut off the main breaker to the panel and any breakers that you do not want to power (would be most).

6,000 watts is 60 Amps, that is a pretty good load.

Jock

Answer 8

The only way you can do this is by making a cord with two plugs on it.  This is dangerous and can kill someone.  The only proper way to connect a generator is with a transfer switch (or just plug what you want into the generator).  The grounding of the generator is complicated and I recommend getting a qualified electrician to install it.

Answer 9

I would not do this without first checking with a qualified electrician.

Different voltage and amperage requirements may conflict and damage your appliances and other electrical items.

Some motors do not work well with AC  or DC current and vice-versa.

Be cautious on this one.

Answer 10

You don't want to feed the entire panel through a single 2 pole circuit.  The breaker is rated at 30A, most likely, and you can overload it.  There is a kit which will allow you to connect the generator directly to the panel.  This is a much better method.  You can select which breakers are utilized by the generator, limiting to the "bare essentials".  Hope this helps.