Running a generator for power outages

tropic home · 12-03-2006, 08:54 AM

I want to wire my house so it can be run of a generator when there is a power outage here in Costa Rica. I will be purchasing a 5000W Coleman Powermate for the purpose. Is it as simple as throwing the main power switch to isolate the house and running 220 to the house from the generator? I would have a #6 (?) cord that can be run outside to the generator during these outages. Ideally I would like to have the generator running at my workshop which is 60' from the house. The main switch may be in the workshop (power is just being run out to my property), but if it's in the house and the generator is at the shop what happens will happen with the breaker for the shop at the main box? I will be running 220 to the shop in any case for my welder, so maybe the breaker will be big enough. Hope I'm not way out there with my thoughts. All info is appreciated.

Speedy Petey · 12-03-2006, 10:29 AM

ABSOLUTELY NOT. You cannot simply backfeed the panel/service.

You need either a transfer panel, main transfer switch, or main breaker interlock. These are to prevent power from backfeeding the utility lines.

tropic home · 12-04-2006, 05:24 PM

The way they run power here, there is a throw switch at the line coming in that shuts off power before it reaches the main breaker box, will this not prevent the backfeed to the utility lines? If so does the rest sound right?

joed · 12-04-2006, 07:00 PM

The generator MUST be connected so that is IMPOSSIBLE for the generator to backfeed the power lines. Having to remember to turn off the main disconnect does not count. It MUST be somehow interlocked to make it IMPOSSIBLE.

tropic home · 12-04-2006, 07:07 PM

Is there a two way throw switch that one way will connect mainline and the other way connect alternate power?

Speedy Petey · 12-04-2006, 09:22 PM

Yes, as I said, either a main transfer switch, a main breaker interlock, or a transfer panel.