Using RV generator as backup for house?
My electricity is still on in Middle TN, no worries. But that may not always be the case in the future! If I have a transfer switch properly installed, is there any reason I can't use the RV gene...
Forum Discussion
When I tested transformer polarity, I connected 120 vac to H1 H2 and H3 and measured voltage at X1 X2 and X3 to neutral or ground.
Let's open circuit your neighborhood distribution circuit beyond your transformer. 0 volts everywhere.
But then introduce 120 volts backwards from a generator to X1 to X2 or X3.
What do you think happens at H1 H2 or H3?
Perhaps 12,500 volts with enough wattage to instantly kill through bare hands.
Google HOT STICK.
Attachments on the end of a special fiberglass pole.
Working with gloved hands is ten or fifty times faster than doing connections and switch throwing with a hot stick.
A linesman is lifted in a bucket. His voltage detector screams.
Where is the back feed coming from?
Repair is halted.
Easter Egg hunt commences. A pain in a residential neighborhood.
Totally needless delay in service restoration.
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Your utility has an independent minimum size amperage rating for isolation relays or manual thrown isolation switches.
A licensed contractor has information to follow.
A NEMA 4 weatherproof box with bottom-side-only ingress and egress for conductors is best. Conductors may be required to be housed in EMT.
A 200 ampere rated TTDT 240 relay is not cheap.
This is an elaborately explained detail of why things are the way they are. Expenses for a correct installation can be "shocking".
Let's open circuit your neighborhood distribution circuit beyond your transformer. 0 volts everywhere.
But then introduce 120 volts backwards from a generator to X1 to X2 or X3.
What do you think happens at H1 H2 or H3?
Perhaps 12,500 volts with enough wattage to instantly kill through bare hands.
Google HOT STICK.
Attachments on the end of a special fiberglass pole.
Working with gloved hands is ten or fifty times faster than doing connections and switch throwing with a hot stick.
A linesman is lifted in a bucket. His voltage detector screams.
Where is the back feed coming from?
Repair is halted.
Easter Egg hunt commences. A pain in a residential neighborhood.
Totally needless delay in service restoration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your utility has an independent minimum size amperage rating for isolation relays or manual thrown isolation switches.
A licensed contractor has information to follow.
A NEMA 4 weatherproof box with bottom-side-only ingress and egress for conductors is best. Conductors may be required to be housed in EMT.
A 200 ampere rated TTDT 240 relay is not cheap.
This is an elaborately explained detail of why things are the way they are. Expenses for a correct installation can be "shocking".
