backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
- Thread starter domnick
- Start date
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peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Re: backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
This is extremely dangerous and should never be done. Common sense alone should tell you that this is a bad idea, but common sense isn't very common these days.
Linemen have been killed by this dangerous backfeeding.
This is extremely dangerous and should never be done. Common sense alone should tell you that this is a bad idea, but common sense isn't very common these days.
Linemen have been killed by this dangerous backfeeding.
Re: backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
A real problem. no one will pay to do it the right way when so many have done it th wrong way at best $200-300 to do it right. people don't understand that a little gen back feeding through the PoCo trans steps the 240v back up to 7200v. if they fell to cut the main off.
A real problem. no one will pay to do it the right way when so many have done it th wrong way at best $200-300 to do it right. people don't understand that a little gen back feeding through the PoCo trans steps the 240v back up to 7200v. if they fell to cut the main off.
Re: backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
About every other month or so the local poco includes a newsletter with this exact information. DO NOT BACKFEED with a generator. They show illustrations for the illiterate and stupid people. I suspect the true morons use the pictures as a guide on "how to" wire their generator. Whenever we get a call we tell them straight up, the generator has to be isolated from the poco lines.
About every other month or so the local poco includes a newsletter with this exact information. DO NOT BACKFEED with a generator. They show illustrations for the illiterate and stupid people. I suspect the true morons use the pictures as a guide on "how to" wire their generator. Whenever we get a call we tell them straight up, the generator has to be isolated from the poco lines.
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
THANK YOU!
Re: backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
However, $300 for parts and labor, and an electrical contractor to install a three pole transfer switch between the POCO and a 200A panel sounds low. How do you do it for that?
carl
Of course its dangerous - no question there.
However, $300 for parts and labor, and an electrical contractor to install a three pole transfer switch between the POCO and a 200A panel sounds low. How do you do it for that?
carl
Re: backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
Carl, we set a sub panel ch makes a breaker defies that goes between to breakers that only allows on breaker to be on at one time. put the feed on one braker and the gen on the other. put in the sub panel what you want on the gen. the cost is a low end, all manual,portable gen type 30 amp. more for new home not to add one. parts around $150
[ January 04, 2006, 05:52 AM: Message edited by: wyatt ]
Carl, we set a sub panel ch makes a breaker defies that goes between to breakers that only allows on breaker to be on at one time. put the feed on one braker and the gen on the other. put in the sub panel what you want on the gen. the cost is a low end, all manual,portable gen type 30 amp. more for new home not to add one. parts around $150
[ January 04, 2006, 05:52 AM: Message edited by: wyatt ]
Re: backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
) So, I'm not asking. However, if I come up with any safe, NEC compliant, more cost effective solutions, I'll share.
carl
I'm impressed. That's pretty good. This is a good example of why I'm not in the electrical installation business. I'd starve to death.
) So, I'm not asking. However, if I come up with any safe, NEC compliant, more cost effective solutions, I'll share.carl
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
Well, given the current phase of the moon, I'd say I can't give you any of the information that I don't have myself anyway. But we are permitted to point to code sections, and leave you to your own devices. So I might suggest you find a copy of the NEC Handbook. I don't own one myself, and my present office would never need one, so I can't point to the page. But I recall a very good set of figures that show generators connected to transfer switches with, and without, switched neutrals.
Well, given the current phase of the moon, I'd say I can't give you any of the information that I don't have myself anyway. But we are permitted to point to code sections, and leave you to your own devices. So I might suggest you find a copy of the NEC Handbook. I don't own one myself, and my present office would never need one, so I can't point to the page. But I recall a very good set of figures that show generators connected to transfer switches with, and without, switched neutrals.
Re: backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
Between zero and 2.85
On the zero end, the circuit is no longer useable for a dryer.
Some panels will accept an interlock between the main and a closely mounted 2 pole CB. Some SQD QO panels have this option available. From reading the literature, it appears to be designed for an alternate feed. I haven't tried one so I don't know.
Of course the Gen neutral/ground bond has to be removed and one would have to have a 4W plug. Also, this means the dryer ckt is off if the Main CB is on.- which may not be acceptable.
carl
Domnick -
Between zero and 2.85
On the zero end, the circuit is no longer useable for a dryer.
Some panels will accept an interlock between the main and a closely mounted 2 pole CB. Some SQD QO panels have this option available. From reading the literature, it appears to be designed for an alternate feed. I haven't tried one so I don't know.
Of course the Gen neutral/ground bond has to be removed and one would have to have a 4W plug. Also, this means the dryer ckt is off if the Main CB is on.- which may not be acceptable.
carl
allenwayne
Senior Member
Re: backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
Yes it is listed as a generator panel.For service equiptment.
after 27 hurricanes this year I started buying sq`s model of what CH makes same principal but alot cheaper.Like $75.00 with 4/8 circuits.
Yes it is listed as a generator panel.For service equiptment.
sandsnow
Senior Member
- Location
- Southern California
Re: backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
If this is during construction:
Backfeeding the dryer used to be standard procedure for residential inspection. NOT anymore.
We will turn on power for testing for residential before final. It also helps our residential inspectors in final inspection.
The first thing our POCO does here is test the UGPS for voltage and then put "jumper cables" across all the phases and neutral and ground to guard against backfeeding.
If this is during a power outage:
DON'T go there, as others have said.
If this is during construction:
Backfeeding the dryer used to be standard procedure for residential inspection. NOT anymore.
We will turn on power for testing for residential before final. It also helps our residential inspectors in final inspection.
The first thing our POCO does here is test the UGPS for voltage and then put "jumper cables" across all the phases and neutral and ground to guard against backfeeding.
If this is during a power outage:
DON'T go there, as others have said.
davedottcom
Senior Member
Re: backfeeding into dryer circuit from portable generator,
Many reasons not to do it. Death by electrocution being the first one that comes to mind. Second reason is...well, who needs a second reason when the first reason is that serious!
Many homes still have what is called a "split-buss" panel. There is no main disconnect, this makes it very difficult to isolate the utility lines from the generator when it back feeds through a 240v Receptacle.
Split-buss or not, Any person who blatantly chooses to ignore the public's safety and subjects others to lethal levels of electrical voltage is a criminal. They should be prosecuted the same as if they committed a crime with a gun. In my opinion, it's equally dangerous.
Dave
Many reasons not to do it. Death by electrocution being the first one that comes to mind. Second reason is...well, who needs a second reason when the first reason is that serious!
Many homes still have what is called a "split-buss" panel. There is no main disconnect, this makes it very difficult to isolate the utility lines from the generator when it back feeds through a 240v Receptacle.
Split-buss or not, Any person who blatantly chooses to ignore the public's safety and subjects others to lethal levels of electrical voltage is a criminal. They should be prosecuted the same as if they committed a crime with a gun. In my opinion, it's equally dangerous.
Dave
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