how to connect a generator

[Jim Redelfs]

Yes, it is. So is pole climbing and crossing the street.

Regardless, there is NO excuse for using a generator improperly.

As someone else said: With the genset running outdoors, run a heavy extension cord into the dwelling and branch-off other cords to vital equipment.

Unless a PROPERLY installed transfer switch is used, leave the house wiring ALONE!

Common line safety practices include insulating gauntlets, commoning all conductors and bonding them to ground.

Anyone that backfeeds to the grid during an outage DESERVES to have their genset FRIED!

JR

26-yr lineman

[clifto]

I don't know how practical it would be with 2400V, but for home work I use a voltmeter to make sure my line is dead, and as a final check I short the line briefly. No sparks, line's dead.

The short might sound stupid, but (1) I know when my voltmeter is lying, and (2) a live body can call the fire department, a dead one can't call an ambulance.

[hallerb]

I too intentially short all lines in my home before working on them! Every now and then I get a big surprise:(

found a bad breaker that way, the wire melted and the breaker never tripped

[Oliver Costich]

Not if you also disconnect the main line from the utility pole.