Winter storms and ice can knock out power for days, and a portable generator can keep the heat, the fridge, and the lights running. But how you connect it matters as much as the generator itself.
The dangerous shortcut is backfeeding: plugging the generator into a dryer or other outlet with a double-ended male cord. That cord has live, exposed prongs that are a severe shock hazard. Additionally, it can send power back out through your service onto the utility lines, where it can seriously injure or kill a lineworker trying to restore power. It can also damage your generator or start a fire when utility power comes back on.
The safe way is a transfer switch or a listed interlock kit on your panel. Either one makes it physically impossible for your house to be connected to the generator and the utility at the same time. Add an inlet box on the outside of the house, and hooking up during an outage is as simple as plugging in one cord and flipping a few breakers.
Wherever you set up, keep the generator outdoors and well away from windows, doors, and vents. The CDC recommends at least 20 feet. Never run one in a garage, even with the door open. Carbon monoxide builds up fast, and you can’t see or smell it.
Now is the time to get set up, before the first storm. We can install a transfer switch or interlock and an inlet sized to your generator.
