How to Use a Generator Without a Transfer Switch

How to Use a Generator Without a Transfer Switch

If you have a home and you are wondering how to connect your generator to the house without a transfer switch, hold on, you are in the right place.

We will show you a step by step guide with details on how to achieve this.

This is a super simple method to achieve a portable generator backup power to your house. It is safe and legal. At the same time it saves you money. The required items will not cost you a fortune when you have the generator already.

On the contrary, the only big cost you may have to incur is paying an electrician.

Check out our whole house dual fuel generator review , in case you don't have one already.

Quick Navigation in this Resource

• 1 Why Connect Generator To a House Without Transfer Switch?
  • 1.1 30 amp Transfer Switch
  • 1.2 50 amp transfer switch
  • 1.3 What You Need To Connect Generator To House Without Transfer Switch
• 2 Connecting Generator to House: Follow this Steps During Installation
  • 2.1 Step ⓵: Start with the Double Pole Circuit Breaker
  • 2.2 Step ⓶: Generator Interlock Kit Hardware
  • 2.3 Step ⓷: Install the Outdoor Plug
  • 2.4 Step ⓸: Plug the Heavy Duty Power Code
  • 2.5 Step ⓹: Inspect and Test the Connection Functions as Intended
• 3 Connect Generator to House through Dryer Outlet
• 4 Frequently Asked Questions
  • 4.1 Can you backfeed a generator through a dryer outlet?
  • 4.2 Is it illegal to run a generator without a transfer switch?
  • 4.3 How do you hook up a generator to a house without a transfer switch?
• 5 Final Thoughts
  • • 5.0.1 Disclaimer

Why Connect Generator To a House Without Transfer Switch?

The most popular and easiest way (which we do not recommend) is to connect your generator power through extension power cords. The first and foremost disadvantage that you face; your generator power will not distribute to some parts of your house if you choose to use extension cords.

However, if you have decided to have the generator power connected to the main electrical panel that distributes electrical power to the whole house, then you have two options; use a transfer switch or connect without a transfer switch.

In the event that you consider using a transfer switch, it is significantly costlier than the alternative option of not using one. However, unlike the use of an extension cord, the use of a transfer switch lets you connect to almost all your appliances hard wired to your main electrical circuit.

The second benefit; you get to utilize greater capacity of the generator power. And this is simple to illustrate:

When you are using an extension cord with your generator, you have a limit to the number of appliances that you can connect. Some of the appliance are not even available or do not have the flexibility to connect to an extension.

Hence, there is under utilization of most of the generator power!

Apart from the cost disadvantage on the option of a transfer switch, you have an additional electrical sub panel required to handle the transfer. Without a transfer switch, you will still use your existing electrical panel, further reducing the cost.

A transfer switch can be manually operated or automatic with capability of sensing when one source of electrical power is present or absent.

30 amp Transfer Switch

How do you know what size of transfer switch to use? Well, size the switch according to the capacity of your generator. This is the basic rule of thumb.

Check here for a suitable 30 Amp transfer switch

50 amp transfer switch

Check here for a suitable 50 Amp transfer switch

What You Need To Connect Generator To House Without Transfer Switch

You require the following items to connect generator to house without transfer switch;

                
                  🔘 A double pole 220/240V circuit breaker    🔘 An outdoor weather proof plug / connection port / inlet receptacle    🔘 Generator interlock kit hardware    🔘 A heavy duty power cord from your generator to the plug    🔘 Appropriate tools for the job                
              

An interlock kit is a metal plate with design to keep the mains circuit breaker and the generator circuit breaker mutually exclusive.

Connecting Generator to House: Follow this Steps During Installation

Step ⓵: Start with the Double Pole Circuit Breaker

Install the double pole circuit breaker in your home electrical panel. Important to note is the rating of your circuit breaker.

We recommend that you use a circuit breaker that matches the amperage of your generator.

Step ⓶: Generator Interlock Kit Hardware

Install the interlock hardware (a metal plate) alongside the circuit breaker.

That ensures when the mains circuit breaker turns ON, the generator circuit breaker turns OFF and vice versa.  And this makes the installation legal.

Step ⓷: Install the Outdoor Plug

Find and choose an appropriate location for your outdoor plug. Always remember that your generator must be located outside your house and not in the garage.

Otherwise, you will be courting death.

The fumes that the generator emits contains harmful gases such as the lethal carbon monoxide which is very dangerous if inhaled.

Additionally, bear in mind that the location you select for your generator should have some shade and free from water. Mark you, water and electricity do not work together.

Step ⓸: Plug the Heavy Duty Power Code

Connect the heavy duty power code to your plug and the other end to the output of your generator.

The plug terminals will usually match the output from your generator.

At the same time, you do not need to be anxious about connecting the power cord to the plug the wrong way. The manufacturer has ensured it will only enter the plug one way.

Consequently, it eliminates human error as you cannot mix the live and ground or earth connections.

In the same manner, connect the cord to the generator side. Make sure the cord fixes firmly and will not come out if pulled. For some, you have to turn the code to lock it into position.

Step ⓹: Inspect and Test the Connection Functions as Intended

Test the circuit to see whether it works as expected. Most importantly, check that the hardware interlock works. When the grid power is ON, it should be impossible to switch ON the generator circuit breaker and vice versa.

Typically one source of power should be completely isolated when the other one is present.

When the grid power is present and therefore you do not require a generator, remove the connecting heavy duty power cord.

Ensure that the plug or connecting port lid closes so that no water can ingress to the terminals. Keep the generator in a secure safe place when not in use.

Connect Generator to House through Dryer Outlet

This is an unsafe and illegal method. We do not recommend this method at all. Admittedly, the plug that will connect to the drier from the generator has to be modified to a male connector.

Secondly, the connector has no mechanism to secure it so that it does not fall off.

In the event it falls off, it is very easy for a person to come into contact with the live voltage from the generator. As a result, they may suffer from electric shock or electrocution.

There are cases of house fires that have started due to incorrect connection of generators to the house. And especially through the dryer outlet. If your home insurer discovered this malpractice, you will not recover any money in case of fire loss!

Frequently Asked Questions

It is absolutely okay to have questions when you are looking forward to do something new like connecting a generator to the house with no transfer switch.

This is why below here, you will find answers to the most asked questions so that you do not have to keep searching.

Have a look:

Can you backfeed a generator through a dryer outlet?

This is dangerous and often not recommended. See more about the dryer outlet

Is it illegal to run a generator without a transfer switch?

It is not illegal if you have a fail proof mechanism that ensures power is not fed back to the grid when your generator is connected.

How do you hook up a generator to a house without a transfer switch?

The summary of steps to follow are:
1. Connect a double pole circuit breaker
2. Install a generator interlock kit at the mains circuit breaker panel
3. Set up the outdoor plug
4. Connect the heavy duty power cord between the generator and the outdoor plug
5. Finally, inspect and test your circuit that it is safe and all the components function as intended.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, it is important to note that your generator connection with or without transfer switch must meet legal standards. Failure to which, your generator may feed some of its power to the power grid.

Consequently, this has potential to harm unexpected users who are also on the grid.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. We value safety and consider it our number one priority in everything we do. If you are not conversant with electrical circuits and wiring, please consider professional advise and services from competent electricians. Do not touch electrical panels and cables if you are not sure of what you are doing. Stay safe!

Source: https://havenhometech.com/how-to-connect-generator-to-house-without-transfer-switch/

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