How To Hook Up A Generator To Your House?

Are you in need of consistent, portable back-up electrical power? Have you got confused about how to hook up a generator to your house? There are different kinds of generators for different purposes. Perhaps you are looking for a Portable generator for many home requirements or standby types to live in a heavy hurricane or no power conditions for a long time. A portable generator can supply electrical power to the house when the main power control is off, so it is the best choice to have a consistent power back-up. It does not supply power to all the electrical appliances in the house but only to a few important services like TV, fridge, lighting, etc. AC, Stoves, tumble driers, and some other big appliances need a lot of power, which is difficult for a portable generator to supply. 

How To Connect Generator To House?

No matter what type of generator and for what purpose you bought? The most important thing is having knowledge about the usage of a generator without facing any trouble. Some people purchase one without knowing anything about how to connect or use a generator. Do not worry. here we will let you know in detail about how to hook up a Generator to your house. 

Cord Vs. Power Transfer Switch

Generally, there are two ways to connect a portable generator to a house that is supplying power to the circuit board with the help of a transfer switch or plugging in every equipment with individual extension cords. Let us now look into the differences of generator cords, extension cords, and using a transfer switch. 

Despite what kind of generator it is, always go through the user manual for safety guidelines and meticulous instructions before you start using it. 

Extension and Generator Cords

1. Check out the generator pre-start instructions.
2. Take the unit outside that is a minimum of 10 feet away from openings.
3. Hookup the generator to internal equipment using one of the following methods:

1. Run a single gene-code from a generator machine and hookup many appliances.
2. Run many extension cords from external to hook up to electrical devices. 
3. Power on the generator. 

Transfer Switch 

The most accepted method to connect a generator to the house is using a transfer switch. Transfer switches are generally categorized into 3 different types to select from, that is manual transfer models, breaker inlet box, and automatic transfer switch. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, but all 3types work in the same way. Generally, you need to install the transfer switch inside the home and beside the main electrical power panel and then connect the appliances like a water heater, lights, fridge, outlets, freezer, etc. that are important to run the home during power off or off-grid. Now, install a power supply panel outside your home (where you have to connect it to your generator) and then connect it to the transfer switch using wires.

How to Connect my Generator?

When power is gone in your place, just connect the generator device to the power supply panel and then switch on the transfer switch. You can choose any electrical appliances of your home that you wish to power up using the main electrical board.  

Extension Cords

The cheapest way of connecting the generator to the house is using extension cords, but they do not let you utilize the maximum power of a big generator. It is just like paying the amount for the complete devices but able to use only half of its power. Using the extension cords is possibly hazardous and consumes more time, particularly when there is heavy thunder and storm. Using some wrong length, gauge, or broken wire can be a straight away danger, supposed to cause fire hazards and shock. 

If you have an inverter, you will be able to power a few appliances like a fridge and some tube lights; this can be done with a good extension cord.

Generator Cords 

It is better to invest in a generator cord if you are having proper and comfortable plugging in the electrical appliance and a middle-sized generator. On the generator, there are 20-amp and 30-amp outlets. Just plug-in the gen-cord into those outlets based on your needs. 

Power Transfer Systems

The best choice in terms of safety, convenience, comfort, and power, when you want a big portable generator to house hookup is a power transfer system. They have everything you require for connecting a generator to your home. 

Moreover, poser transfer systems energize total circuits instead of just electrical devices. They can supply power even to hard-wired devices like boilers, AC, lights, and security systems. 

Is it safe to connect a generator to the home without a transfer switch?   

Though it is possible to hook up a portable generator to the home without using a transfer switch, it is quite hazardous and not at all suggested. Doing such things may result in fire and cause major damage, so do not try to hook up the generator to your electrical appliances in this method. Try to invest in a transfer switch, which is very safe to install.