I know I am late on this, but if you are NOT sure about how this all works, PLEASE contact your local electrician! His video assumes people actually understand how 120/240 breaker panels work. Thank you for the amazing video.
Just so people know, hooking this setup to a lot of boxes that have a lot more breakers than his(which aren't many) will not power high amp items such as electric stove/oven, electric dryer, electric hot water heater, central air, Dishwasher, etc... Doing so will trip the generator on most of these items. You would need a large whole house standby generator with a comparable whole house transfer switch. His setup will run lights, fridge, freezer, boiler, microwave, tv, well, septic pump, washing machine etc.(not at the same time though) I ran a similar setup with a 10 circuit transfer switch when I lived in northern VT years ago. Had a oil boiler for hot water and heat, no central air. Could run everything except electric dryer, electric stove/oven, and dishwasher although not all at the same time as a you would soon exceed the 7000 watt running rate. Now I live in TN in a all electric house so the same setup would work minus the same items and the A/C-heat pump which has huge separate breakers and wiring. BTW, with 5 woman in the house, had to curb the 1850 watt hair dryer while fridge, deep freezer, well and heat running. The hair dryer on high uses over 1/4 of the rated watts. Definitely have to know what your house is using. One ice storm in 2013 required us to run on generator for 104 hours straight. You learn quickly to monitor your usage so as not to use more things than the generator can take.
Does this only apply to smaller generators? I just picked up a 13000 Watt generator I was told will run my 1200 square foot home. Everything is electric except my water heater.
If you watch the video closely, you will see a ground bar. It runs up and down with a bunch of screws in it. You will see the white AND copper ground wires connected to that ground bar. The black and red wires are hooked into the breaker. The back of the mounted four prong plug has 4 connections. The white and copper wires will connect to the two screws that are greenish in color. The other two can be put on the other mounts.
Folks, if you need to ask how he wired it, you should pay a licensed person to do it. Also I've seen the generators outside in a deck box type of... box for a permanent set up. That way no moving the genny around. Then you can ground it with a lg rod and not have to worry about moving things.
I wish more people would do videos on Gen being hooked up to their own breaker panel like a regular house is like generator power going into the main and then all of the rest are fuses going to dedicated areas
Very good!!! But for this type of DIY...people need to know..that there are two type of generators...the ones that have the neutral bonded and the ones that has the neutral floating... For doing the connection that you did, the generator is of the floating neutral. Keep the good job!!!
@@TangoNevada Here's a good video on the subject ... czcams.com/video/SIT9fuAU4-k/video.html. I will post another video on my Craftman 4200 watts generator ... stay tuned and subscribe to my channel czcams.com/channels/zViLhlTtIKS7Pmm3XZobvw.html?view_as=subscriber
Nice Job. I went with the interlock too. In my state for it to be legal the interlock has to be made by the panel manufacture. I had a hard job finding a Cutler Hammer factory interlock. Interlocks make it a so easy to connect the generator. One wire to plug in and your in business.
It looks like you have that in your garage. It would've been a good idea to put the outlet OUTSIDE rather than inside. It's usually local code to prevent running the generator indoors flooding the area with exhaust fumes which can be deadly.. As an Electrician, i ALWAYS install them outdoors. Yes, you can use a generator cord long enough to put it outside (which it looks like you do), but the next owner might not be as smart as you... hence the need for local codes...
Brad would you be willing to answer my question? I cant find anyone who understands it, I'm backfeeding my generator though my 6-50 mig welding outlet, this outlet uses two hots and a ground, no neutral, I have a stove in the garage that I plug into this and it uses 240 and 120 and it has never shocked me, Isn't this like an unbonded generator running to a bonded home panel and safe?
So basically adding that breaker, when generator is running and plugged into the inlet box it powers that new 30 amp breaker which powers the rest of the panel while the main is off?
I would like to point out one thing he said the gauge wire will depend on what kind of volts you are planning on putting in the wires and as well as what your generator is rated at so if your generator is at 240 V system, you gotta get thicker wire but if you have a 240 V system, you can run your whole house on it as long as you have 12,500 W generator or more
Thank You! I was expecting more but at least I know you got it working... QQ: does your gen have neutral bonded to ground? it should have floating neutral since you connected it to the main and not sub-panel like I am intended to do. Thanks again.
This is with the 9,000 watt Predator that has 240V output that can power both hot legs of a box. The more common Predator 3500 can't do this and run both legs. It only has 120V output. You would have to choose which side of the box you'd like to run. Where you show a red and a black wire going to a double 30 amp breaker you'd only have one of those wires with a predator 3500. I was starting to set up a 3500 the way you show here and noticed there was no 240V output. I'm setting up a different generator for 240V into my box.
Can't you just run the hot wire and splice to both terminala of the 240v breaker. And shut off all other 240V breakers. That way u got both busses of the panel energized.
Thanks for the videos. I left you a comment on your other video regarding verifying that your generator is actually powering your well-pump. I was also curious of how it works that your well-pump is a 40 amp circuit (with I assume 8 gauge wire) and the generator is only inputting power on a 30 amp circuit and a 10 gauge wire. ? Thank you!
I deal with two well pumps, one at my house 1/2 hp and it only draws 10A , the other larger one at my Dads house is 3/4 hp well pump and draws 13.8A, and start up wattage is 3000 watts, running watts is only rated at 1,500 watts. I don’t know what size pump you are referring to, but I think your breaker may be oversized. Or if you have a long run away from the panel that may be why the 8 ga wire?
Great tutorial, so, basically, to power up your whole house at will, with specific appliances, all you need to do, is install the 30A circuit breaker in the main circuit box, and then wire up the cable to go to the inlet box and then to the generator, is that it?. Thanks
Yes, but you should also put one of them interlock things on your breaker box to keep you from having both the generator and the grid power on at the same time.
@@eunicehenderson9095 ok, another question, my AC currently has a 60 Amp breaker, do I need to install a 60 Amp breaker for the generator, and do I have to have a generator to supplies 60 Amps. Thanks.
@@carapungo AC with 60 amp breaker is most definitely requiring more current than the generator can supply. AC unit is 240 volt. Small generator is probably 120 volt single phase, larger generator is 240 volt, but at 9000 watts, may not be large enough for a central AC unit. Check current requirements and starting loads.
Great video thanks for posting. The only question I have is why is your inlet box inside of your garage instead of outside? Are you running the generator inside that structure?Thanks for clarifying and for posting
My garage is detached and my electric comes into the garage. I run the generator outside. I had it in the doorway of my detached garage for a few mins.
Great Video and very quick and to the point. Question though, The 10g wire to your dual 30A breaker, did that come with the inlet box or did you have to use longer 10g. Does it matter what color wire goes to the breaker? Thanks so much.
You Can Get it at Lowes Home improvement, 30 Amp Generator power inlet box. made by Reliance PB-30. They are by the Generators or in the Electrical section.
My question is looks like you wired the breaker straight to the generator hook up, just like you would do a normal outlet in a house. How does that transfer the power to the actual panel, to power up all of your other breakers. Figured the breaker itself would have to be wire to the mechanical lugs on the panel just like your normal electric coming in is to be able to get power to rest of the breakers for the lights and stuff. That part is confusing me
You have to make sure you hook it up to your main electrical panel. The one that the electric is hooked to from the electric company. As long as you have the main off, the power from the generator will power the panel through the breaker that is installed. Most breakers are to send power out to a particular power source. But you can also use the breaker to transmit power to the electrical panel from another power source like a generator. I hope that helps. It is actually really easy, just make sure you have a transfer switch or a interlock switch like I have to make sure the main is off.
@@cavyboy99 Yes you are correct. In fact some people actually backfeed through their 220 electric drier plug, which works but is dangerous if they forget to turn the main power breaker switch off. They also have to use an electrical cord with a male plug on both sides which is also dangerous .
So you don't need to hook up any other wires to the fuse box I see the red and the black go from the Outlet to the circuit and the ground to the ground bar. Is that it, once you shut your main power off you can turn in the generator and flip the circuit and it bring power to the whole box.
Hi Dennis...The only way I would know is when I see my neighbors electricity on. Or I could find out from the utility company. They usually will ask if you want a confirmation call when it has been restored when you call in the outage.
@@TheCookFamilyHomestead Thank you for the reply. Our electric company does call us but it is usually 1/2 hour after the power is on. Where we live out in the country, I can only see 2 of our neighbors and since we have 3 phase on our street and they are on different legs, so they can have power and we don't or the other way around. That is why I have mine set up with a switch to a sub panel so there is no chance of a feedback so our main panel can stay on.
@@dennisl3589 I purchased this alarm off Amazon last year. It simply mounts to your panel in one of the knockouts and has two wire leads that you wrap around your panel feeders. It senses when the power is restored and has an audible alarm to notify you. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KREORA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
No Offense, but that would be the least of my worries and probably extremely easy to figure out just by being aware of your general surrounding environment. In the worst case scenario you can try to switch over and see if power is back or not.
The lockout is just a hunk of zinc plated steel?! And its $50?! I just looked that up. I was under the impression I needed the automatic one. I just had a new service installed last year and I needed 2 boxes. Hopefully I won't have to move breakers around.
SO where is the generator neutral wire connected? is it combined with the Grid power neutral on the neutral bar? and if so, what happens when power comes back on and the live grid neutral bus is then back on line and combines with the generator live neutral?
What do you do if your electrical box doesn't have anymore space? I can't believe how few breakers you have lol. Also if I only have 100A service do I need to upgrade my service or no because I'm turning my main breaker off in event the power goes back on.
You can buy them at Lowes Home Improvement or on E-bay, they cost about $50. each. They are called Generator power inlet box, and yes they can be installed on an outside wall.
Install everything as if you are going to run 240V, thus powering each panel leg, including the 4-pin inlet power box and 240V power extension cord. But also purchase a converter cord (usually they are about 20" long) that will take your generator 120v output and split it into two 120V outputs...which will feed both legs of the panel...but single phase. Everything in your house that is 120v will function. But...be sure to switch off all 240V breakers (except for the generator dedicated breaker) and use an interlock.
1:22 Where you have (2) 120V hot lines from a 240V generator. (1) 120V wired to 1 breaker TOP to supply 120V to that vertical buss bar (1) 120V wires to the OTHER breaker BOTTOM to supply another 120V supply to the other vertical buss bar. This will simulate a 240V source to the house .... What if you only have a single 120V generator ??? Can't you just take that single 120V hot wire and double jump it to both breakers so that both vertical buss bars have access to 120V so that everything in the house that works on 120V will work as normal and just shut OFF all the 240V breakers but leave all the 120V breakers ON .....
Yes, but instead of jumping breakers in the panel, you should use a converter cord. It will take the 120V single phase generator output and send 120V on each hot line of the regular 240V power cord...sending a single 120V phase to each leg of the panel. As long as you don't need to run any 240v appliances, it's actually more efficient to do this...that way you are not trying to determine loads on each leg, but rather just total load. And as you said, keep all the 240v breakers off.
@@ACommenterOnCZcams Set up your power box as if you were going to run 240V. If your generator can only supply 120V, then purchase a short power cord that splits that 120V output into two feeds...that way both panel legs receive 120V power, and everything 120V in the house works. Really simple.
Does this mean you could stick a breaker anywhere in the panel and have the generator push power to that breaker and in doing so, it will supply power to every other breaker in the panel?
Technically yes, but legally, the breaker should be in the slot where the interlock kit is so that it functions as designed. On my breaker box, my main breaker is up top in the middle, and the generator breaker would be installed in the top right slot, right under the main.
@@bubbatime Thank you very much for the reply. Understood I need to put it at the top where it keeps you from turning on the generator when electricity is flowing in at the same time. Will do...
I have a similar panel in my apartment theres no main switch to shut it down. So how do install a breaker in it while the panel is live. I'm trying to install a 30amp line for a dryer
If you don't know what you're doing, better off pay someone. Theres is probably a main disconnect near the meter is my guess. But again being you don't know what you're doing and that its an apparent you probably shouldn't mess around
Also did you install anything to prevent power going back to the lines when power was restored to protect lineman working? I know the main is off but just for precaution. Unless none is needed?
Can you tell me where to find the outlet that you mounted on the outside of the panel and the breaker that you installed in the box? I went to two local places today to buy the setup for the breaker box but no one could help me.
Hey asking for advice here Our house is old 100 years old and built like shit Any advice on how to hook up a generator to a old not even close to up too code house? We have to use an extension cord from the generator to inside if we want to use it
You would have to just use an extension cord and power a few major items that you would need. If your electrical box isn't up to code, I wouldn't recommend hooking in to it.
Do you need to run a neutral and ground to the nutral bar? My 9000 is grounded to a ground rod, golng to finish enclosure this WK and wire it with 10ga 3 wire.
Hi. I have a 200 amp main panel and another 200 amp sub panel next to it. Do I need 2 interlock kits and 2 double breakers or just 1 set in the main panel.
Is there any way you could take the control panel off and take a picture or a video and send it to me so I can see how to wire mine up I bought it from somebody that took all the wires to loose it would be very helpful
In a fast setup, would the 30amp generator breaker work on the bottom of the panel below all the breakers? I know code says to have it on the top with the interlock system, but if it's on the bottom and the main is off, it's doing the same thing right? No chance of power backflowing with the main off. Correct me if I'm wrong..
yes you are correct, They only want you to have it on top so that the interlock can be installed properly, To keep you from having them both on at the same time.
Wondered same thing, I'm putting a 100amp service in to make it rentable, ran 2 110s and nutrual to old 60amp service, grounded generator. Gonna make sure there not a common ground 1st. It's what comes off the pole...box and generator are grounded to rods. I'll get my meter out to make sure it's right
The breakers’ supply busses are staggered so the double circuit breaker feeds each of the two supply busses with 120v. This allows both rows of breakers to get power all from one side.
Thats a 30 amp generator inlet box. Its rated for 30 amps. The generator cord is rated for 30 amps. The breaker, is rated for 30 amps. The 10 gauge wire, is rated for 30 amps.... see the pattern? Its a matched system, I just put the exact stuff in my box today. They also sell a 50 amp inlet box if you have a larger generator. In which case you would use a 50 amp generator cord and 50 amp wiring and a 50 amp breaker.
It can power any other circuit on that same box. as long as the generator is not overloaded..thats why you first turn all the bearkers off and turn them on 1 by 1 or only the ones that you really need to turn on. if you overload the generator with to many cicuits it will trip the breaker at the generator.
They are bonded, i unbonded mine behind the ground lug on front panel of generator where preditors are bonded, not at the alternator. Now only ground is at the panel. White wire and white/green if I remember, been a yr.
@@zachbray3912 no it's only 5ft away from cold water pipe service ground in an enclosure I built. The GFI s are lit up. I use it to power whole house, not much of one but it qualifies, step above a large TeePee, 2 bedrooms
The pad is grounded with rebar, into stub piers, I could ground if need be. Cable ground is next to it and I put one through the concrete few feet in case the Co or idk. I'm moving so someone will be set up.
My question is if wiring into the 240/30amp side of the generator with a 2pole 30amp breaker powering A bus and B bus and each leg supplying 120v let's say you power a few things on (say the A bus) and it draws more than 30amps (going off Ohm's law: say 7000w/120v =58amps) would this cause a problem for the generator or circuit as a whole?
Not really a lot more to it. Worked liked a charm for over a year now. Obviously if you don't know what your doing it is dangerous but this is basic electrical knowledge.
There are dozens and dozens of interlock types. Very unlikely that you would need the one he has is. Just go search for interlocks there’s plenty of websites that sell them
Awesome video! Personally I would never have paid $60 for those two little pieces of flat aluminium & 3 bolts...I would just make my own out of scrap...saving about $55 after buying the bolts :)
@@baristeve1 The code requires that I have the prevention in place...it does not require a particular brand or style as long as it prevents both being live simultaneously.
@@gregorythomas333 The commercial interlock kits may be expensive (mine was $160), but they are UL listed and approved, so you are paying for that process too. Also, if you have an insurance claim related to your electrical supply, your insurance company may deny the claim if their adjuster finds an unapproved (and thus out-of-code) device in your panel.
I just scolded another idiot that put the generator plug inside the house! They will either have to leave a door open to run the wire to the generator , or they will run it inside the house.
@@rickybaby69 you are. It wasn't run and never was run in an enclosed building. You said the house, so admit you didn't watch and were trolling. It's my civic duty to call out liars and trolls like you.
If you found it useless, it is useless ... to you. Others, such as myself, found it very informative. What was truly useless was your comment. I think you might be what they call a 'troll'.
Pardon me.. but you haven't really passed on any mustard; in other words actual connections and hook up like your video title says so. Just a few words after the set up. Your title should be " I really don't know how to connect to the electrical panel".
sharabi21, If you don't know what he's talking about, you really should pay someone that knows what he's talking about to do the work for you. Those of us that DO know what he's talking about find it easy to follow. I like to see different ways people connect their house. I have been using a pigtail for far too long and need to install a more secure connection, and that's why I'm here.
@@LeFraudHasChokedInSIXFinals Wrong, schmuck. I've wired these before as well as subpanels and full panels. For a novice, the video provides no "why"; only some of the "how", so it's useless for a novice. For a professional, they already know what they're doing, so it's useless for a professional to watch. So, again I say the video is incomplete and lousy.
No. Let's say you have a 10,000 watt (13,000 watt temporary peak) generator, powered by a two-cylinder Honda engine. This is a common generator from Northern Tool, etc. That thing can put out a whopping 80 amps. In that case you'll want a 60 amp breaker and 4 AWG wire. 30 amp circuit breaker, 10-gauge wire, 40 amp, 8-gauge wire. 50 amp 6 AWG. These are minimums, one can always go larger ($).
might want to specify for folks putting in a 50 amp breaker for a larger genny is that they need SIGNIFICANTLY larger AWG. Like #6
I know I am late on this, but if you are NOT sure about how this all works, PLEASE contact your local electrician! His video assumes people actually understand how 120/240 breaker panels work.
Thank you for the amazing video.
So true. This is a great video but it's worth it to have a local electrician install this
Just so people know, hooking this setup to a lot of boxes that have a lot more breakers than his(which aren't many) will not power high amp items such as electric stove/oven, electric dryer, electric hot water heater, central air, Dishwasher, etc... Doing so will trip the generator on most of these items. You would need a large whole house standby generator with a comparable whole house transfer switch. His setup will run lights, fridge, freezer, boiler, microwave, tv, well, septic pump, washing machine etc.(not at the same time though) I ran a similar setup with a 10 circuit transfer switch when I lived in northern VT years ago. Had a oil boiler for hot water and heat, no central air. Could run everything except electric dryer, electric stove/oven, and dishwasher although not all at the same time as a you would soon exceed the 7000 watt running rate. Now I live in TN in a all electric house so the same setup would work minus the same items and the A/C-heat pump which has huge separate breakers and wiring. BTW, with 5 woman in the house, had to curb the 1850 watt hair dryer while fridge, deep freezer, well and heat running. The hair dryer on high uses over 1/4 of the rated watts. Definitely have to know what your house is using. One ice storm in 2013 required us to run on generator for 104 hours straight. You learn quickly to monitor your usage so as not to use more things than the generator can take.
Does this only apply to smaller generators? I just picked up a 13000 Watt generator I was told will run my 1200 square foot home. Everything is electric except my water heater.
If you look carefully he has a sub panel so that is why the lack of breaker's.
It took less time to watch this video than to read your whole comment!
Yes another video of where all the wires hooked into would be great. Like exactly where power, ground, and neutral all went to
If you watch the video closely, you will see a ground bar. It runs up and down with a bunch of screws in it. You will see the white AND copper ground wires connected to that ground bar. The black and red wires are hooked into the breaker. The back of the mounted four prong plug has 4 connections. The white and copper wires will connect to the two screws that are greenish in color. The other two can be put on the other mounts.
this was a great video for people who already know what they are doing
Folks, if you need to ask how he wired it, you should pay a licensed person to do it. Also I've seen the generators outside in a deck box type of... box for a permanent set up. That way no moving the genny around. Then you can ground it with a lg rod and not have to worry about moving things.
I wish more people would do videos on Gen being hooked up to their own breaker panel like a regular house is like generator power going into the main and then all of the rest are fuses going to dedicated areas
Very good!!! But for this type of DIY...people need to know..that there are two type of generators...the ones that have the neutral bonded and the ones that has the neutral floating... For doing the connection that you did, the generator is of the floating neutral. Keep the good job!!!
Can you please explain the difference so I don't kill anyone? Thanks
@@TangoNevada Here's a good video on the subject ... czcams.com/video/SIT9fuAU4-k/video.html. I will post another video on my Craftman 4200 watts generator ... stay tuned and subscribe to my channel czcams.com/channels/zViLhlTtIKS7Pmm3XZobvw.html?view_as=subscriber
@@TangoNevada here’s why everyone really needs to watch this video about generator safety czcams.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/video.html
Nice Job. I went with the interlock too. In my state for it to be legal the interlock has to be made by the panel manufacture. I had a hard job finding a Cutler Hammer factory interlock. Interlocks make it a so easy to connect the generator. One wire to plug in and your in business.
It looks like you have that in your garage. It would've been a good idea to put the outlet OUTSIDE rather than inside. It's usually local code to prevent running the generator indoors flooding the area with exhaust fumes which can be deadly.. As an Electrician, i ALWAYS install them outdoors. Yes, you can use a generator cord long enough to put it outside (which it looks like you do), but the next owner might not be as smart as you... hence the need for local codes...
Brad would you be willing to answer my question? I cant find anyone who understands it,
I'm backfeeding my generator though my 6-50 mig welding outlet, this outlet uses two hots and a ground, no neutral,
I have a stove in the garage that I plug into this and it uses 240 and 120 and it has never shocked me,
Isn't this like an unbonded generator running to a bonded home panel and safe?
So basically adding that breaker, when generator is running and plugged into the inlet box it powers that new 30 amp breaker which powers the rest of the panel while the main is off?
Yes. If main breaker is left on you’ll back feed to the mains.
I would like to point out one thing he said the gauge wire will depend on what kind of volts you are planning on putting in the wires and as well as what your generator is rated at so if your generator is at 240 V system, you gotta get thicker wire but if you have a 240 V system, you can run your whole house on it as long as you have 12,500 W generator or more
This great info, I have the same generator and wanted to figure out how to hook it in!
Can you add in the description the name of each piece or where you found it? I'm having trouble locating that breaker box attachment.
A GFCI bonded generator must have the bonding jumper removed while connected to house. The jumper must be put back when using generator standalone.
I have the same setup but I used 6-3 wire and a 50 amp breaker
Very easy hook-up, I appreciate your informative video content. thanks 100%👌
Thank You! I was expecting more but at least I know you got it working... QQ: does your gen have neutral bonded to ground? it should have floating neutral since you connected it to the main and not sub-panel like I am intended to do. Thanks again.
I had the same question. I’m wondering if I need to ground the generator to a grounding Rod
This is with the 9,000 watt Predator that has 240V output that can power both hot legs of a box. The more common Predator 3500 can't do this and run both legs. It only has 120V output. You would have to choose which side of the box you'd like to run. Where you show a red and a black wire going to a double 30 amp breaker you'd only have one of those wires with a predator 3500. I was starting to set up a 3500 the way you show here and noticed there was no 240V output. I'm setting up a different generator for 240V into my box.
Can't you just run the hot wire and splice to both terminala of the 240v breaker. And shut off all other 240V breakers. That way u got both busses of the panel energized.
Thanks for the videos.
I left you a comment on your other video regarding verifying that your generator is actually powering your well-pump.
I was also curious of how it works that your well-pump is a 40 amp circuit (with I assume 8 gauge wire) and the generator is only inputting power on a 30 amp circuit and a 10 gauge wire. ? Thank you!
I deal with two well pumps, one at my house 1/2 hp and it only draws 10A , the other larger one at my Dads house is 3/4 hp well pump and draws 13.8A, and start up wattage is 3000 watts, running watts is only rated at 1,500 watts. I don’t know what size pump you are referring to, but I think your breaker may be oversized. Or if you have a long run away from the panel that may be why the 8 ga wire?
Great tutorial, so, basically, to power up your whole house at will, with specific appliances, all you need to do, is install the 30A circuit breaker in the main circuit box, and then wire up the cable to go to the inlet box and then to the generator, is that it?. Thanks
Yes, but you should also put one of them interlock things on your breaker box to keep you from having both the generator and the grid power on at the same time.
The interlock keeps from electrocuting a lineman out working on the grid.
@@ramrod175 Wish he would have mentioned the interlock keeps lineman for the power company from being electrocuted.
@@eunicehenderson9095 ok, another question, my AC currently has a 60 Amp breaker, do I need to install a 60 Amp breaker for the generator, and do I have to have a generator to supplies 60 Amps. Thanks.
@@carapungo AC with 60 amp breaker is most definitely requiring more current than the generator can supply. AC unit is 240 volt. Small generator is probably 120 volt single phase, larger generator is 240 volt, but at 9000 watts, may not be large enough for a central AC unit. Check current requirements and starting loads.
Would be nice if the video was longer and you explaining step by step how everything goes but i guess thanks
Did you look at his channel for more videos? Ya might wanna do that.
Lots of videos on CZcams showing this. Watched tons of videos before I did myself.
Nice. Thanks for sharing!
Appreciate the correction you gave me in the first one. I said the wrong wire! Thank you! Remade the video.
Great video thanks for posting. The only question I have is why is your inlet box inside of your garage instead of outside? Are you running the generator inside that structure?Thanks for clarifying and for posting
My garage is detached and my electric comes into the garage. I run the generator outside. I had it in the doorway of my detached garage for a few mins.
Thank you for the video. I’m assuming you used a 30 amp 240 volt 4 wire receptacle to plug your generator into. Yes ?
Great Video and very quick and to the point. Question though, The 10g wire to your dual 30A breaker, did that come with the inlet box or did you have to use longer 10g. Does it matter what color wire goes to the breaker? Thanks so much.
Thank you that cleared things up for me
Thank you. Much appreciated your effort.
Hello can you please show step by step how to install this and wish wires goes where I think all of us we will appreciate that, thanks
There's a hundred videos on youtube. This is a decent one czcams.com/video/1yaPF4n01Sw/video.html
Safety nazis are annoying. This isn't difficult. Great video. Exactly what I needed
Did you hook up the neutral and the ground to the buses in the breaker box?
Yes sir.
@@TheCookFamilyHomestead Thanks. It was kinda hard to see in the video.
what kind of breaker was used for the back feed? Just a normal 30amp that would be used for like a washer or dryer?
Don't you need a clamp on the wire going into the panel and into the inlet box or is just having it inclosed in conduit enough for code enforcement?
what is the part# for the outlet plug in box /amps? Lowes
You Can Get it at Lowes Home improvement, 30 Amp Generator power inlet box. made by Reliance PB-30. They are by the Generators or in the Electrical section.
My question is looks like you wired the breaker straight to the generator hook up, just like you would do a normal outlet in a house. How does that transfer the power to the actual panel, to power up all of your other breakers. Figured the breaker itself would have to be wire to the mechanical lugs on the panel just like your normal electric coming in is to be able to get power to rest of the breakers for the lights and stuff. That part is confusing me
You have to make sure you hook it up to your main electrical panel. The one that the electric is hooked to from the electric company. As long as you have the main off, the power from the generator will power the panel through the breaker that is installed. Most breakers are to send power out to a particular power source. But you can also use the breaker to transmit power to the electrical panel from another power source like a generator. I hope that helps. It is actually really easy, just make sure you have a transfer switch or a interlock switch like I have to make sure the main is off.
@@TheCookFamilyHomestead yeah you wire it up pretty much just like a 220 outlet. But with the interlock
@@cavyboy99 Yes you are correct. In fact some people actually backfeed through their 220 electric drier plug, which works but is dangerous if they forget to turn the main power breaker switch off. They also have to use an electrical cord with a male plug on both sides which is also dangerous .
@@ramrod175 that's info that shouldn't be put out there 😂 you know a jack-a-loon is going to be hold my beer I'll show you a trick....
So you don't need to hook up any other wires to the fuse box I see the red and the black go from the Outlet to the circuit and the ground to the ground bar. Is that it, once you shut your main power off you can turn in the generator and flip the circuit and it bring power to the whole box.
I commented on your other video and I am glad you put the interlock switch in but with the main off how do you know when the power is restored?
Hi Dennis...The only way I would know is when I see my neighbors electricity on. Or I could find out from the utility company. They usually will ask if you want a confirmation call when it has been restored when you call in the outage.
@@TheCookFamilyHomestead Thank you for the reply. Our electric company does call us but it is usually 1/2 hour after the power is on. Where we live out in the country, I can only see 2 of our neighbors and since we have 3 phase on our street and they are on different legs, so they can have power and we don't or the other way around. That is why I have mine set up with a switch to a sub panel so there is no chance of a feedback so our main panel can stay on.
@@dennisl3589 I purchased this alarm off Amazon last year. It simply mounts to your panel in one of the knockouts and has two wire leads that you wrap around your panel feeders. It senses when the power is restored and has an audible alarm to notify you.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KREORA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
No Offense, but that would be the least of my worries and probably extremely easy to figure out just by being aware of your general surrounding environment. In the worst case scenario you can try to switch over and see if power is back or not.
You can use a multimeter to test for power at the main also
The lockout is just a hunk of zinc plated steel?! And its $50?! I just looked that up. I was under the impression I needed the automatic one. I just had a new service installed last year and I needed 2 boxes. Hopefully I won't have to move breakers around.
so it runs 30A off each red and the black wire with common ground? So, up to 60A at 120v?
SO where is the generator neutral wire connected? is it combined with the Grid power neutral on the neutral bar? and if so, what happens when power comes back on and the live grid neutral bus is then back on line and combines with the generator live neutral?
thank you!
What do you do if your electrical box doesn't have anymore space? I can't believe how few breakers you have lol. Also if I only have 100A service do I need to upgrade my service or no because I'm turning my main breaker off in event the power goes back on.
You have to get a bigger electrical panel.
Where did you get the plug to the box and can you run it Through the wall so it can be outside?
You can buy them at Lowes Home Improvement or on E-bay, they cost about $50. each. They are called Generator power inlet box, and yes they can be installed on an outside wall.
If I install a L5-30 outlet for a 3400 watt generator to power up ONLY the 120v in the house would I still need a double pole 30 amp breaker?
Install everything as if you are going to run 240V, thus powering each panel leg, including the 4-pin inlet power box and 240V power extension cord. But also purchase a converter cord (usually they are about 20" long) that will take your generator 120v output and split it into two 120V outputs...which will feed both legs of the panel...but single phase. Everything in your house that is 120v will function. But...be sure to switch off all 240V breakers (except for the generator dedicated breaker) and use an interlock.
1:22
Where you have (2) 120V hot lines from a 240V generator.
(1) 120V wired to 1 breaker TOP to supply 120V to that vertical buss bar
(1) 120V wires to the OTHER breaker BOTTOM to supply another 120V supply to the other vertical buss bar.
This will simulate a 240V source to the house ....
What if you only have a single 120V generator ???
Can't you just take that single 120V hot wire and double jump it to both breakers so that both vertical buss bars have access to 120V so that everything in the house that works on 120V will work as normal and just shut OFF all the 240V breakers but leave all the 120V breakers ON .....
Yes, but instead of jumping breakers in the panel, you should use a converter cord. It will take the 120V single phase generator output and send 120V on each hot line of the regular 240V power cord...sending a single 120V phase to each leg of the panel. As long as you don't need to run any 240v appliances, it's actually more efficient to do this...that way you are not trying to determine loads on each leg, but rather just total load. And as you said, keep all the 240v breakers off.
@@spacecoastz4026 not even sure what that looks like ....
@@ACommenterOnCZcams Set up your power box as if you were going to run 240V. If your generator can only supply 120V, then purchase a short power cord that splits that 120V output into two feeds...that way both panel legs receive 120V power, and everything 120V in the house works. Really simple.
Hello,
What if my generator breaker is located on the bottom of panel far from main shutoff switch? How to install the interlock kit?
Thanks
Great video! Did you convert your generator to FLOATING NEUTRAL? If so, how did you convert it. Thanks.
I wish I could find this answer somewhere but I can’t 😂
Does that generator have a 50amp plug? If so is there advantages to using the 30amp and not the 50amp plug on the generator?
Word.
Who did you purchase your outlet and breaker from to use the generator
Any major hardware store. Home depot or lowes sells all that stuff
Where is the generator breaker hold down? Its required. You need to ground the generator and box.
Where did you get the cable and for how much?
Is the double 30 amp breaker just a normal breaker or is it a specific special generator breaker designed for the generator?
Just a breaker.
Thank you!
Generator safety czcams.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/video.html
Does this mean you could stick a breaker anywhere in the panel and have the generator push power to that breaker and in doing so, it will supply power to every other breaker in the panel?
Technically yes, but legally, the breaker should be in the slot where the interlock kit is so that it functions as designed. On my breaker box, my main breaker is up top in the middle, and the generator breaker would be installed in the top right slot, right under the main.
@@bubbatime Thank you very much for the reply. Understood I need to put it at the top where it keeps you from turning on the generator when electricity is flowing in at the same time. Will do...
I have a similar panel in my apartment theres no main switch to shut it down.
So how do install a breaker in it while the panel is live. I'm trying to install a 30amp line for a dryer
If you don't know what you're doing, better off pay someone.
Theres is probably a main disconnect near the meter is my guess. But again being you don't know what you're doing and that its an apparent you probably shouldn't mess around
Also did you install anything to prevent power going back to the lines when power was restored to protect lineman working? I know the main is off but just for precaution. Unless none is needed?
None is needed if the main breaker is off.
What about the neutral wire? Can it back flow current since the one is not on the main breaker.
So you asked your question then answered it ... LOL
@@86jperezm The electricity is going to the generator, not anywhere else and the Neutral is NOT energized, thats why there is no breaker for it.
Can you tell me where to find the outlet that you mounted on the outside of the panel and the breaker that you installed in the box? I went to two local places today to buy the setup for the breaker box but no one could help me.
I purchased it at Lowes.
Hey asking for advice here
Our house is old
100 years old and built like shit
Any advice on how to hook up a generator to a old not even close to up too code house?
We have to use an extension cord from the generator to inside if we want to use it
You would have to just use an extension cord and power a few major items that you would need. If your electrical box isn't up to code, I wouldn't recommend hooking in to it.
Do you need to run a neutral and ground to the nutral bar? My 9000 is grounded to a ground rod, golng to finish enclosure this WK and wire it with 10ga 3 wire.
Generator safety czcams.com/video/I1jT3ANENvI/video.html
The frame on the predator acts as a ground.
Will it power both circuit panels wired like that?
1 or both bars?
@@pops64on both
Gregory thanks
Which wire can i use 10/2 or 10/3 wire for installing 30amp breaker for predator 9000?
10/3 your plug has two hits a neutral and a ground wire
Can you use a single pole breaker?
Where did you get the plug?
Fuse Box? Too FUNNY
Hi. I have a 200 amp main panel and another 200 amp sub panel next to it. Do I need 2 interlock kits and 2 double breakers or just 1 set in the main panel.
Just the main box
Will it work with a 30amp single pole breaker?
Is there any way you could take the control panel off and take a picture or a video and send it to me so I can see how to wire mine up I bought it from somebody that took all the wires to loose it would be very helpful
In a fast setup, would the 30amp generator breaker work on the bottom of the panel below all the breakers? I know code says to have it on the top with the interlock system, but if it's on the bottom and the main is off, it's doing the same thing right? No chance of power backflowing with the main off. Correct me if I'm wrong..
yes you are correct, They only want you to have it on top so that the interlock can be installed properly, To keep you from having them both on at the same time.
@@ramrod175 thanks!
So the wire you showed is 10/4 but the package says 10/3 what one did you use
I used the one in the package.
So the red and black that go into your breaker are both hot wires correct?
Yes that is correct.
One other question. Is this only putting power to the right leg? And is this 220v?
Wondered same thing, I'm putting a 100amp service in to make it rentable, ran 2 110s and nutrual to old 60amp service, grounded generator. Gonna make sure there not a common ground 1st. It's what comes off the pole...box and generator are grounded to rods. I'll get my meter out to make sure it's right
The breakers’ supply busses are staggered so the double circuit breaker feeds each of the two supply busses with 120v. This allows both rows of breakers to get power all from one side.
How many amps is that male plug rated at where you plug your gen into the box?
Thats a 30 amp generator inlet box. Its rated for 30 amps. The generator cord is rated for 30 amps. The breaker, is rated for 30 amps. The 10 gauge wire, is rated for 30 amps.... see the pattern? Its a matched system, I just put the exact stuff in my box today. They also sell a 50 amp inlet box if you have a larger generator. In which case you would use a 50 amp generator cord and 50 amp wiring and a 50 amp breaker.
How do u know what part of the house it powers
The whole house
It can power any other circuit on that same box. as long as the generator is not overloaded..thats why you first turn all the bearkers off and turn them on 1 by 1 or only the ones that you really need to turn on. if you overload the generator with to many cicuits it will trip the breaker at the generator.
HOW TO WIRE BREAKER TO RUN ALL 110 TKS
Can someone send me a link to buy the outlet box with the 4 pin 30a
what if my generator has GFCI receptacles?
10/3 wire
Hi where you buy the materials
What size generator are you using
So does a double 30 amp breaker make that breaker a 60 amp breaker?
No
I got a 2 pole 100Amp breaker to do this thanks for the advice
What size wire did you run? I hope a hella lot bigger than a #10!
So you have 240 volts going to that double pull 30?
120v goes into each side of the pole making 240v.
Where did you get your generator inlet/outlet box?
I purchased it at Lowes.
Is that a sub panel . If so can you show how you wired it from the main panel
That is the main panel.
@@TheCookFamilyHomestead Can't you do this same thing to a sub panel?
The plug from the fuse box! Where you buy it?
I purchased at Lowes.
@@TheCookFamilyHomestead Do you have a part number? I am looking for that plug as well. Thanks
Lowes or E-bay around $50 bucks
@@matth3931 Reliance pb-30 power inlet box, Lowes or ebay
Well it run hot water still
Is the neutral on the generator floating or bonded? Did you un bond it if so?
They are bonded, i unbonded mine behind the ground lug on front panel of generator where preditors are bonded, not at the alternator. Now only ground is at the panel. White wire and white/green if I remember, been a yr.
@@gene2200 did you in bond ground as well on generator or just the neutral
@@zachbray3912 no it's only 5ft away from cold water pipe service ground in an enclosure I built.
The GFI s are lit up. I use it to power whole house, not much of one but it qualifies, step above a large TeePee, 2 bedrooms
@@gene2200 so you left grounds as is on gen just floated the neut?
The pad is grounded with rebar, into stub piers, I could ground if need be. Cable ground is next to it and I put one through the concrete few feet in case the Co or idk. I'm moving so someone will be set up.
My question is if wiring into the 240/30amp side of the generator with a 2pole 30amp breaker powering A bus and B bus and each leg supplying 120v let's say you power a few things on (say the A bus) and it draws more than 30amps (going off Ohm's law: say 7000w/120v =58amps) would this cause a problem for the generator or circuit as a whole?
it will trip the generator circuit breaker. you still can not overload the generator, or it will trip the generator breaker which most are 30 amp.
A whole lot more to this folks. Some will electrocute something...
Not really a lot more to it. Worked liked a charm for over a year now. Obviously if you don't know what your doing it is dangerous but this is basic electrical knowledge.
Interlock switch part number, please?
There are dozens and dozens of interlock types. Very unlikely that you would need the one he has is. Just go search for interlocks there’s plenty of websites that sell them
Awesome video!
Personally I would never have paid $60 for those two little pieces of flat aluminium & 3 bolts...I would just make my own out of scrap...saving about $55 after buying the bolts :)
Thank you!
Your plan may violate electrical code in your area.
@@baristeve1 The code requires that I have the prevention in place...it does not require a particular brand or style as long as it prevents both being live simultaneously.
@@gregorythomas333 The commercial interlock kits may be expensive (mine was $160), but they are UL listed and approved, so you are paying for that process too. Also, if you have an insurance claim related to your electrical supply, your insurance company may deny the claim if their adjuster finds an unapproved (and thus out-of-code) device in your panel.
Hey. Just watched your video. Your interlock is installed wrong. It should move up and down not left and right. It doesn’t look right.
Wrong. The breaker switches flip left and right.
Here’s an idea just run extension cord to inside of house 🤔
No way to follow his video and do it yourself
I just scolded another idiot that put the generator plug inside the house! They will either have to leave
a door open to run the wire to the generator
, or they will run it inside the house.
Before you call people idiots, you should probably watch the video. The panel is in my DETACHED garage. Who's the idiot now?
@@TheCookFamilyHomestead generators should never be run in any enclosed building, garages included. Now who is the idiot!
@@rickybaby69 you are. It wasn't run and never was run in an enclosed building. You said the house, so admit you didn't watch and were trolling. It's my civic duty to call out liars and trolls like you.
U S E L E S S V I D E O !!!!
If you found it useless, it is useless ... to you. Others, such as myself, found it very informative. What was truly useless was your comment. I think you might be what they call a 'troll'.
Sorry Edwin, but a certain level of intelligence is required to comprehend the instructions in this video. Obviously you don't meet the criterion.
@@LeFraudHasChokedInSIXFinals
*criteria
Pardon me.. but you haven't really passed on any mustard; in other words actual connections and hook up like your video title says so. Just a few words after the set up. Your title should be " I really don't know how to connect to the electrical panel".
Appreciate the insult. God bless.
sharabi21, If you don't know what he's talking about, you really should pay someone that knows what he's talking about to do the work for you. Those of us that DO know what he's talking about find it easy to follow.
I like to see different ways people connect their house. I have been using a pigtail for far too long and need to install a more secure connection, and that's why I'm here.
How about showing how to hook up the wires on both ends
Lousy video. No explanation of how the panel is being powered by the generator circuit breaker.
If you can't tell from the video, you're probably not smart enough to be working with electricity.
@@LeFraudHasChokedInSIXFinals Wrong, schmuck. I've wired these before as well as subpanels and full panels. For a novice, the video provides no "why"; only some of the "how", so it's useless for a novice. For a professional, they already know what they're doing, so it's useless for a professional to watch. So, again I say the video is incomplete and lousy.
So 10 gauge wire is fine for any generator?
No. Let's say you have a 10,000 watt (13,000 watt temporary peak) generator, powered by a two-cylinder Honda engine. This is a common generator from Northern Tool, etc. That thing can put out a whopping 80 amps. In that case you'll want a 60 amp breaker and 4 AWG wire. 30 amp circuit breaker, 10-gauge wire, 40 amp, 8-gauge wire. 50 amp 6 AWG. These are minimums, one can always go larger ($).