How do you hook a 5000 watt generator into a home electrical system with 220 volt service?

Question

I've been told you can hook it into the 220 outlet for the clothes dryer and feed it back to the panel to provide 110 volts for selected circuits.

Answer 1

I have a web page describing proper generator use and connection to your home. Read through and check the links.
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/generator.html

Please don't use a double male plug to connect to the dryer outlet. It is terribly unsafe and opens the possibility of damage to the generator, fire in the house, or death of a lineman trying to perform repairs to the electric grid.

Pass your new knowledge along to the friend who told you to use the dryer outlet!

Answer 2

A typical 5000 watt generator will put out around 30 amps on a 240 circuit. In the time of an emergency such as what is hitting parts of Iowa this past week some people have done such a thing as you are describing. Of course the proper way is to install a transfer switch and an outdoor generator connection but many people have been back feeding using drier connects or even welder connects to get this going. I do not recommend telling anyone to do this. Here is a clear list as to what to expect when doing this.

Not all drier wiring can handle the load a generator will put out. If this is the case you can start a fire and the generator breakers will not kick off because they are putting out the amount of amps they were designed to do.

If a house is being powered off a generator the house needs to be disconnected from utility power. If a transfer switch is not available then manually disconnect the power by shutting off the switch at the transformer if you have one. Make sure to lock the switch in the off position so nobody can turn the power back on without your knowledge. NEVER have two separate power sources connected at the same time.

If you do not know what you are doing do not do it. Contact an electrician to come out and disconnect you from utility power. Most electricians can install a temporary generator connection if you are unable to acquire the proper materials. Some may even totally disconnect the meter and run the generator power into the breaker box as if it were utility power.

If you back feed power down the utility lines and the power gets restored the results can lead to fire, blown transformers, and even death to the line workers trying to restore your power.

These people are working hard to take care of you and your family and it would be nice if they get to return to their family at the end of the job.

Answer 3

Yes, thats an option. But its a good way to get somebody killed. The guy working on the power lines out on the street. Or you if your not hooked up through a transfer switch.

Too many reasons to list here why you shouldn't do it. If an electrical inspector or power company official catches you, it will be bad news..

Get a transfer switch and do it right!!!

Answer 4

Like the guy above says -- you need a transfer switch, but you also need to get an electrician to do it.

I am a DIY guy, and I have done alot of complex electrical projects around my home, but even I wouldn't begin to tackle that one (hooking up my generator to my house wiring / wiring a transfer box).

If I *had* to use my generator for long-term 'emergency' power, I would use separate circuits (long extension cords, etc.), before trying to get into my house wiring.

.

Answer 5

This is a very bad thing to consider,for the reasons stated,you could kill someone without even knowing it.That should be reason enough to do it correctly.Transfer switch or a double throw disconnect box.Both of these disconnect your house from the incoming power supply.The safe and proper way to do it.

Answer 6

Nope! You need a transfer switch to begin with. You probably also need an electrician. Do mess around with it, because if you do it wrong and it backfeeds, you may end up killing someone or blowing your house up.
Good luck.