Backup Generators

SIKSUKR · 08-02-2012, 08:21 AM

Electricity could care less which way it travels...to or from an outlet.The only concern is the amps(load) and the wire size.If your outlet circuit is a 20 amp breaker and the gen only puts out 20 then the protection will work just fine.The main concern I have with backfeeding through an outlet(and I've done it) is twofold.You need to make a suicide cord meaning having a plug on both ends.?The danger is obvious one if grabs on to the blades while the other end is energized.The other is backfeeding to the main grid.I backfeed directly to my main panel through a double pole breaker.I have since installed a simple device that won't let you turn that breaker on until the main is off.Very inexpensive and perfectly code acceptable.

08-02-2012, 08:21 AM	#34
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Electricity could care less which way it travels...to or from an outlet.The only concern is the amps(load) and the wire size.If your outlet circuit is a 20 amp breaker and the gen only puts out 20 then the protection will work just fine.The main concern I have with backfeeding through an outlet(and I've done it) is twofold.You need to make a suicide cord meaning having a plug on both ends.?The danger is obvious one if grabs on to the blades while the other end is energized.The other is backfeeding to the main grid.I backfeed directly to my main panel through a double pole breaker.I have since installed a simple device that won't let you turn that breaker on until the main is off.Very inexpensive and perfectly code acceptable. __________________ SIKSUKR

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