Breaker hot while off

[Hfalz1]

One of my electrician buddys was working on a lighting control panel that was recently under water w the flood in houston. The site was being ran by the generator. the breaker feeding the panel was turned off and still getting 110v on the wire feeding the panel. The generator would be feeding the panel but why would there be voltage going to the panel outside while the breaker is off? When the breaker was off there was 110v and when the breaker was on there was 120v.

 

[ptonsparky]

If I understand your description, you are feeding a panel, with a generator, that still has a utility connection to the line side of the Main breaker. I picture a backfed breaker from the generator. No proper transfer switch involved. Is that correct?