90% Don't Know About This Fatal Generator Connection

Comments · 1.2K

• HA

  @HAXMAN · 3 years ago · pinned

  Thanks for watching! You can feed a HAXMAN child by purchasing a shirt at <a href="http://www.thehaxman.com/">www.thehaxman.com</a>.

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• ZA

  @Zappy1210 · 3 years ago

  I was one of your subs who pointed out the interlock issue. &nbsp;As an electrician who has installed many genset systems that is perhaps rule number 1 to keep everyone safe. &nbsp;Shame on the contractor who skipped that rule.

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• HA

  @Harleyever · 3 years ago

  As a retired Lineman, working storms in Florida 1st thing I did was make note of any engines running when I &nbsp;pulled into an area &quot; ground it or glove it&quot;

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• HE

  @henrychinaski5223 · 2 years ago

  I worked my entire life in the electric utility industry and I can tell you for certain a home gen set can and will backfeed the system. &nbsp;No, it won&apos;t be able to power up the grid, but in a restoration situation there will be many lines broken and on the ground. &nbsp;A home gen set could backfeed a single transformer with its primary lead on the ground. &nbsp;A lineman who is careless could touch that conductor on the ground and easily be killed. &nbsp;We were taught to listen for gen sets and to NEVER handle a conductor on the ground without rubber gloves and grounding the conductor. &nbsp;I can&apos;t tell you the number of home gen sets we&apos;ve come across that were connected incorrectly. &nbsp;This video is an excellent demonstration of the correct way to connect a home generator. &nbsp;The only thing I would add to these instructions is if you have a small generator you would want to turn off all your breakers before connecting the generator. &nbsp;After your generator is connected and running you could then turn on just the circuits you need such as the refrigerator and some lights.

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• CA

  @Carloslroy · 2 years ago

  “That was not funny. You did not tell me that was going to happen” 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that’s so funny

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• AN

  @antoniosagamuccio7370 · 3 years ago

  One thing to remember with dual-fuel generators is when you run with propane as opposed to gasoline you lose approximately 9-11% of the rated output of the generator. A 5,500 watt generator will only provide around 4,850 watts on propane.

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• AM

  @AmericanOne9621 · 2 years ago

  From a now retired lineman of 30 years this is a much needed video...

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• CH

  @chaspfrank · 3 years ago

  Besides not wanting to fry a lineman, there is another reason why the interlock is a must. &nbsp;If you leave the main breaker on after loosing street power, and then connect and start the generator, when street power comes back on, it is very probable that the phases will be out of sync. &nbsp;These are the sine waves of AC current. &nbsp;This could very easily (and probably ) destroy your generator.

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• DR

  @drzman6901 · 2 years ago

  If you are starting from scratch (no mods made to your panel) and you don&apos;t want a whole-house solution, consider an 8-10 circuit transfer box. This will allow you to use pre-determined outlets, lights, etc. during a power outage. It also means you can get by with a smaller generator. Transfer boxes are simple to use: one switch for each circuit Each switch selects line or generator, preventing back feed to the utility line. If you are handy with your own electricity, they are easy to install. If not, hire an electrician. I would recommend getting a local permit too for your own protection. I installed an 8 circuit Alliance Control Transfer Box. I used wire in conduit from a subpanel in my garage to an outside attachment plug for the generator. &nbsp;I attached the 8 circuits to critical house circuits such as the refrigerator, various outlets and kitchen lights (all are LEDs). I can use an induction stove, I have kitchen lights and the refrigerator keeps working with my 4375w generator. I can also charge batteries. Eventually I will hook up the house heater to a circuit. Our house is heated with natgas, so I need to power a thermostat and a fan. You will need a larger genset if you heat with electricity.

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• BR

  @BryanTorok · 3 years ago

  If that is an electric stove, I would be very careful about using it, or just don&apos;t use it. &nbsp;You can probably get way with running one burner if you cut back on other loads. &nbsp;Also, that generator may (depending on the size of the AC) run your AC, but again it will take most of the capacity. &nbsp;AND, speaking of AC, I would strongly recommend getting a soft start kit for the AC. &nbsp;That reduces the start up current needed.

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• BR

  @brandon7219 · 3 years ago

  As an aircraft mechanic in the AF for 13 years so far...electricty still scares me. &nbsp;The sh!t is straight up magic and terrifying

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• ZA

  @zacandmillie · 3 years ago

  All good information. We don&apos;t have the same systems here in Australia but could I suggest you get a permanent ink pen and write the procedure on the panel next to the switches in case you are not home when your family might need to use the generator. Also put some concrete blocks down for the generator to rest on. If you need to use it then your garden will probably be soaked and it might settle off level which could affect oil pick up in the engine. Keep up the good work.

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