DrewE wrote:
The transfer switch will prevent backfeed. It's designed and (UL) listed to perform that specific function. That is the primary safety requirement for a transfer switch--that the two sources never be connected to each other. They are designed so that, should they fail, it would be in a safe manner.
It's equally as bad to have the transfer switch connect the generator to the line when the line is live, as the two would almost always not be in phase with each other and the line would drive the generator and vice-versa, quite likely resulting in physical damage to the generator. There are stories of the rotors of the giant generators in power plants being ejected from the power plant building when they mistakenly get connected to the grid out of phase; the same could easily happen to an RV generator. (There could also be pretty bad things happening if the generator were not running at the time; the generator would act like an electric motor, and accelerate the mechanical parts of the generator to running speed mighty quickly, possibly breaking stuff.)
That said, there's nothing wrong with unplugging the cord either, and doing so is an absolute guarantee that you cannot backfeed the campground electrical system.
Worked as a Control Operator in Power Plants.....I was the one that sync'd main gen to grid & I can tell you HOGWASH
Main sync scope has a very narrow window and speed tolerance to allow closing of main gen switchyard breaker.
5* before and 5* after....at max of 3605 rpms
Try to sync outside those parameters and CB will not close
Gen rotors HAVE come apart and gone thru the 6" shell due to internal shorts and explosion of the hydrogen gas used for cooling.
