How NOT to connect a standby generator

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jimb

Member
Location
Kentucky
The internet is a wonderful place where you can find information on virtually any subject you can think of. Unfortunately it also allows practically anyone to post erroneous information as well. I did a search for "Romex" and one thing led to another and I ran across this site -

http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~cmt6839/index.html

The creator of this page emphasizes the importance of safety and adherence to codes and in fact included a link to Mike Holt's website. However, it's apparent that he never bothered to visit here or read a code book himself. I hope no one chose to follow his advice on how to connect the generator. Things like this are scary . . . .

I wanted to send this guy an e-mail asking him to remove these pages, but he didn't think to include his address. Do you think we should send a petition to his school? (University of Louisiana at Lafayette)

Jim
 
C

curt swartz

Electrical Contractor - San Jose, CA
Location
San Jose, CA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Re: How NOT to connect a standby generator

WOW...This is bad. One thing that really disturbs me is he says to connect this wire to the main breaker. I'm guessing he is suggesting to install these wire under the same lugs with the existing wires. Most main breakers in residential panels only have one set of lug and they are on the LINE side. How many people will try this and end up getting electrocuted or burning their home down? Turning the main breaker off will also prevent the generator from supplying power to the home.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Re: How NOT to connect a standby generator

That article has more funny typos that a first grade term paper.

Here is an email address for the webmaster:
prns@louisiana.edu
 
N

noxx

Senior Member
Re: How NOT to connect a standby generator

eek.

Bit of a double edged sword...without guys like this I would be much less busy on service calls, but I sure would sleep better at night.
 
iwire

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
Re: How NOT to connect a standby generator

Pretty good John, I would have kept it short and to the point.

"The Website you host is advocating persons to violate the National Electric Code and placing linemen in danger."

Give us an address so we can send mail.

edit: I see Wayne has provided an address, I will use it now.

[ October 01, 2003, 05:59 AM: Message edited by: iwire ]
 
G

gregoryelectricinc

Senior Member
Re: How NOT to connect a standby generator

I think I know this guy. I fired him a few years ago for giving a homeowner very similar advice on generator connections. His method- Use a male-male cordset to plug into a circuit located in the garage. This circuit had the furnace, refrigerator, and freezer all on the same 20 amp feed. This was in 1999 just prior to Y2K. When I fired him , maybe he moved to Louisiana and started college?? Needless to say, the homeowner was informed of my man's blunder, had the situation explained to him, and we installed a manual transfer switch at my expense as a form of apology.
 
bob

bob

Senior Member
Location
Alabama
Re: How NOT to connect a standby generator

AS I read this article it made me sick. The magazine is allowing an ignorant individual to write something that may get someone killed. AS I read it I see that he is at least turning off the main breaker off. That will at least prevents killing all the utility workers in the area. What happens to the homeowner who has his main breaker in the inside panel. If he follows the directions he will have his hands smoked if he is lucky because the existing circuit is still hot. Thanks for pointing this out.

[ October 01, 2003, 04:46 PM: Message edited by: bob ]
 
F

frenchelectrican

Senior Member
Location
Nord'est Wisconsin et Paris France
Re: How NOT to connect a standby generator

whoever come a idea to write this better print a retraction and a apgoly for misuse his privage to write this artial


p.s. i have some troble to get in the web address what it was posted but got message in french ( lucky i can read french anyway,, it say i can't get into the server.)

that is really sick to hear that and blow our name apart for being professeall work down the drain . my point is that, that person have no respect of whatever for us..


merci , marc
 
roger

roger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Fl
Occupation
Retired Electrician
Re: How NOT to connect a standby generator

Marc, I just tried and couldn't open the page either although this morning it was available.

I think John, Bob, and Bill's e-mails made a point.

Roger
 
J

jimb

Member
Location
Kentucky
Re: How NOT to connect a standby generator

You're right Roger, it looks like the plug has been pulled. Kudos to everyone who responded.

Jim
 
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