temp. wiring up standy generator

[Eaglescout94]

I picked up a used 13Kw generac guardian, after we've had some heavy storms and alot of power outages. End plan is to properly have it installed with an automatic transfer switch, but for temporary use whats everyones' thoughts on wiring up a 50A outlet on the output of the gen. housing and run a cord to a 50A on the house?

 

[The Cobbler]

sounds like you want a suicide cord...you want to back feed a 50 amp circuit in the house. highly not recommended, very dangerous and and and .

 

[mike93lx]

At a minimum, you need an interlock kit, breaker, inlet box and appropriate size wire. If you share some details on your setup, we can help with doing it right.

 

[PCustoms]

This is one of those things that if you have to ask, you shouldn't be doing it

 

[Eaglescout94]

I've heard of suicide cord before, care to explain how they can offer a factory build cord to accomplish the same thing and be ok???

Current fuse panel is 150 amp SQ style breaker, can't remember which style off hand, I plan to update the panel to a new panel with a 200 amp main. The generator is just the generator, currently no feed wires but figured on picking up some 6 gauge wire if I go through with the plugs. I know the gen has dual post 55 amp breakers for the power feed. I would do the interlock kit for sure, but isn't it basically a bent piece of metal that prevents the main breaker from being on if the generator breaker is on? For a power cord it appears that the plug end for the generator side would be the 4 prong 50A and the house side is a round twist lock style that uses 3 lugs and a ground section on the round of the plug?

I ask to learn. I would jump feet first into doing it but this way I get some HELPFUL input.

 

[PCustoms]

Do an interlock and a dedicated INLET.

A suicide cord is a double ended cord, there is a high probability of disconnecting a live cord and/or back feeding the grid.

Again, if you have to ask about it, you shouldn't even be thinking about it. Is dangerous and potentially deadly

 

[The Cobbler]

Again, if you have to ask about it, you shouldn't even be thinking about it

I 100% disagree. there's no harm in asking . we all learn from asking, watching , being told etc. when you ask a question and dispute the replies you may receive is maybe where the issue lies . no one learns anything from not asking a question or being taught , or trying something .
Perhaps a suicide cord is available factory made. it still doesn't make it safe nor is it likely got any valid approvals .
they are unsafe because they can make it possible to power up the grid from your house, they can cause an electrical shock if they are pulled out of the socket while live, and even if you think you have all that covered, if something happens to you and you cannot properly shut it down, another person can come in & unknowingly make a mistake and cause concerns .

 

[Eaglescout94]

I’m well aware of what a suicide cord is, my confusion is how is me setting it up myself
Vs just buying a factory made one any different? The cords ive seen are the twist lock at the house and plug in for the generator. My understanding is flip all breakers off, including main. Plug the generator to the house and flip its breaker. Fire it up and one by one flip circuit side breakers to power what I want powered

Once again, im asking to learn. As far as anything is concerned is a portable generator that just needs an outlet box/ receptacle wired in right??

 

[The Cobbler]

Vs just buying a factory made one any different?

there is no difference, I think I covered it in my previous post.
yes, millions of people use them with no problems, but the bottom line is they are not safe for you or your family, nor for the linesman working on the lines .

 

[PCustoms]

there's no harm in asking .

Suicide cords and improper back feeding should be a brief sticky regarding the dangers and then it should be a forbidden topic. Threads like this seem to turn into someone fishing for a "how to" or "but why can't I?".

It's dangerous for everyone involved or possibly involved as it can kill someone. The type of cable the OP is referencing doesn't exist from reputable sources for a reason.

There really doesn't need to be any additional discussion that I can see.

 

[yatg]

I’m well aware of what a suicide cord is, my confusion is how is me setting it up myself
Vs just buying a factory made one any different? The cords ive seen are the twist lock at the house and plug in for the generator. My understanding is flip all breakers off, including main. Plug the generator to the house and flip its breaker. Fire it up and one by one flip circuit side breakers to power what I want powered

Once again, im asking to learn. As far as anything is concerned is a portable generator that just needs an outlet box/ receptacle wired in right??

You install an inlet receptacle. An inlet receptacle has male pins (like an applicance plug).


The cord you buy/make has a male end that you plug into the generator, and a female end that you plug into the inlet.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I’m well aware of what a suicide cord is, my confusion is how is me setting it up myself
Vs just buying a factory made one any different? The cords ive seen are the twist lock at the house and plug in for the generator. My understanding is flip all breakers off, including main. Plug the generator to the house and flip its breaker. Fire it up and one by one flip circuit side breakers to power what I want powered

Once again, im asking to learn. As far as anything is concerned is a portable generator that just needs an outlet box/ receptacle wired in right??

While flipping off the breakers and then plugging in the generator technically works, it's not foolproof and that's why some type of mechanical interlock is required. For instance , if you're not home and someone else who isn't familiar tries to plug it in, or if it's 3am, there's a storm going on and you're half asleep. The interlock type that's a little sliding piece of metal that goes in the breaker panel is pretty inexpensive and simple to install. It ensures the main breaker is off before the standby breaker is flipped on.

 

[Eaglescout94]

Thank you for supplying the picture of the inlet receptacle, that’s the style I was trying to refer to but not the most tech savy to post a pic on my phone.

I’ve seen some of the interlock and definitely not expensive and well worth the added safety. Luckily, or not, I’m almost never away from the house other than work so powering up the gen would be me but doing so half awake or rushing for various reasons I can see the extra safety of the interlock.

I do plan to have it properly setup when I can get that far but the only contact I’ve had for just getting a quote is a month out, no telling how far out to actually get set up. It would be just my luck to have the generator sitting but can’t use it and the power go out.

 

[PCustoms]

Thank you for supplying the picture of the inlet receptacle, that’s the style I was trying to refer to but not the most tech savy to post a pic on my phone.

FYI that is not a suicide cord

I’ve seen some of the interlock and definitely not expensive and well worth the added safety. Luckily, or not, I’m almost never away from the house other than work so powering up the gen would be me but doing so half awake or rushing for various reasons I can see the extra safety of the interlock.

Don't justify a half assed "solution"

Use a couple extension cords directly to the appliance you need to power until you can get this done correctly

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Not sure why you describe what want to do as temporary. An interlock or transfer switch and inlet can be installed on the building (or pole). No issue with plugging in a portable generator. That's how I set mine up.
What is the fuel source for the generator you bought (propane or natural gas)? Either way getting fuel to it is probably more involved than the electric connections.

 

[mike93lx]

Not sure why you describe what want to do as temporary. An interlock or transfer switch and inlet can be installed on the building (or pole). No issue with plugging in a portable generator. That's how I set mine up.
What is the fuel source for the generator you bought (propane or natural gas)? Either way getting fuel to it is probably more involved than the electric connections.

An interlock would be a temp solution to me with a generator that should be installed with an ATS

 

[mm08822]

Manual transfer means you have be present and make it all happen.

The guardian series gen with ATS is for automatic unattended transfer.

Fuel connections do need to be made safely.

Much of the temp labor and hardware could be wasted effort.