The Best Way To Connect A Generator To Your Home
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- Опубликовано: 29 янв 2023
- 30 Amp Power Inlet Box: amzn.to/3jauPov
50 Amp Power Inlet Box: amzn.to/3HDmpiK
(Interlock kit will vary depending on the type of breaker box you have)
All my favorite HVAC tools: www.amazon.com/shop/thediyhva...
Howdy folks, In this video we walk you through how to install an interlock kit and a power inlet box on your home. This cost less then $100 and could be a lifesaver in the event of a winter power outage! If you found this video helpful, share it with a friend!
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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This video is for educational purposes. Any and all HVAC repair work is done at your own risk. The DIY HVAC Guy channel is not responsible for any possible damages or injuries caused by the use or misuse of the provided information.
Just a heads up, as a general best practice, you should always disconnect the load from your generator BEFORE shutting it off. Newer inverter generators don't seem to mind as much, but those older ones like to cook themselves if they lose power under a load. But pretty much all generator manufacturers will instruct in the manual to disconnect the load before killing the engine.
I made an interlock for my panel a couple of years ago. Another nice thing to have is a "power back" alarm. Since your main panel is switched off when the interlock is in use, you may not recognize when power has been restored and can cut your generator off. The "power back" device sets off a loud siren type noise when it senses the grid is back up.
Smart! I’ll have to check that out
@@diyhvacguy Reliance Controls THP108 EMW3561925
For a quick and easy way - look for when your neighbor's lights turn back on!
@@josephvetter7085 That might work when it's dark out, assuming you can see your neighbors house and they haven 't bugged out. But who wants to jump up and look out the window every 10 minutes for hours on end. Once you buy and install the alarm, there won't be any easier or quicker way to know when the power is on.
Pp
Good information. Had a local professional electrical company here to do this, accepted the bid, they never came back. Went to another company, same deal. Will have to locate the parts and educate myself a bit more. Shame on them when I have someone here on oxygen and they could care less. Be well and thanks.
Checking with the inspector is a good idea. You can do it if you follow the instructions in the video. As it was explained in the video, be careful not to touch anything inside the panel, and make sure the main breaker is off when you put the new breaker. Also, used the proper size wire for the breaker you will be using and torque to specific requirements. You can borrow a torque wrench from many auto parts stores.
If you use 10 gauge wire you should use a 30 amp breaker. Or pull a number 6 with the 50 amp. If someone uses a bigger generator they could burn the wires, house, panel.
He should check the NEC to make sure all of his techniques are safe and up to code. The cost for the upgrade is infinitesimal compared with a house fire.
Most people that would be doing this kind of electrical mod will know this, and those that don't shouldn't be doing this kind of work. ;-)
Spend the extra $20 in copper for the correct gauge cable. Yeah I agree this is not up to code. It’s very easy to find out too. I ran my own 50 amp generator hookup and used 6 gauge THHN, a Leviton twist lock plug with brass blades and GE housing (GE T050N). I’ve read that these cheap Amazon inlets use aluminum too.
This was the breaker my dad had on hand and this is the only generator he will be using (it should be in a Honda museum haha) but that makes sense. Thanks guys for the tips.
@@diyhvacguy you have to think about future residents that may want to use that input.
Or if your dad changes or borrowed a bigger generator.
When I first started viewing the video, I was thinking (I hope he states the necessity of an "easy start" system for the a/c compressor), and sure enough, you did!
Awesome.
You're a hero to the DIYer.
Hi all. Thanks DIY Guy.
Awesome info.
Enjoy the ride.
I did my house with an interlock witch about 9 years ago and love it. I’m always losing power. The beauty of it everything works in the house
Thanks for the info
When powering a home it is important that the generator's neutral and ground be unbonded from each other to comply with the NEC. This is necessary because the home's neutral and ground are bonded together at the home's first point of disconnect (typically the service entrance).
Great stuff bro, thank you
Awesome, thank you!
You have earned your way into my top 15 fave channels! I always tune in right away. Keep up the good work. Next you should think about a bug out bag HVAC style.
Thanks so much for the support!! What do you mean a bug or bag hvac style? Send me an email to diyhvacguy@gmail.com cheers
@@diyhvacguy bug out bag or get home bag
Good video , thanks for sharing , God bless !
Yes yes I like it I like it good idea like that plug love that plug
Thank you!
Thank you as always great content 😊
Glad you enjoyed it!
Looking forward to the easy-start video
Good stuff
Amazing
I installed this a couple of months ago, but since my generator is only a 120v, I have it connected to one leg in the breaker box- the one with the furnace, fridge and the led lights I normally always have on at night.
I need to make an extension cord to plug the Vtoman 1000 into this inlet socket so the Vtoman can stay in the basement and not outside or in the cold.
nice.. !! thank you.!
At start of video, DIY HVAC Guy Dave repeatedly said, "up to what generator can supply." Still, I agree the 50A breaker seems too high for the #10 solid copper wires, and for the (Hubbell?) twist-lock plug, and for whatever extension cord will run from the generator to the twist-lock plug, and even for the generator shown -- which always have their own breakers on the generator outlet as Dave outlines. (Encore Wire has a nice on-line "Wire Ampacity Size Table.) Maybe Dave used 50A breaker to accomodate possible in-rush current, and knew the generator was "responsible" circuit breaker? //// But the idea/principle of the video's solution is GREAT. Better yet, I have never seen nor heard of that mechanical slider interlock part -- really like it albeit it obviously cannot do its job when the panel cover is removed. Lastly, I am so paranoid I counsel some sort of lock wire to ensure the twist-lock cover is securely closed. THANKS! Great video Dave!!
Thanks so much for the feedback! Cheers
My gas furnace is on the other side of the house from the panel, so I put up a new panel and run feeder outside for the generator and put a plug on the gas furnace then put a receptacle off a circuit from the panel along with other circuits for whatever, also a dedicated circuit for the refrigerator..
Thank you for your amazing, usefull and practical video. I learned a lot and will save me a lot of $. If you could, could you please explained the true difference between an inverter generators and a regular generator. I got some conflictding information even from people who are suppose to know. Thank you
@@Mfil, I will, thank you.
Putting a generator interlock is one of the best things I have ever done. I am using the electricity from my generator right now. We are in an ice storm and power is out all around me. I can use my natura gas central air furnace, my internet, I can watch TV or anything else. The only thing I can't run ins the air conditioner, but it is 31 degrees outside. Power is supposed to be off another 20 hours and I am hope to get through it with almost zero impact. Everyone thought I was over-reacting when I put the switch in and bought an inverter generators, but since then, have lost power several times and I have been ready every time.
Thanks for sharing!
@@diyhvacguy My power is still off. I look at these videos of people with $8000 batteries that they bought for emergency power. If I were running on a battery, I would have run out a day ago. It is insane to spend $8000 for battery backup if you live somewhere with tornados, hurricans, ice storms, or floods. Battery backup, even with solar costs way more and is going to fail to get you through more than a short outage unless the weather happens to be nice, which it surely isn't for me right now, but I am warm and dry, typing this on a powerful gaming laptop, listening to the radio, and knowing that I can run almost anything it the house (I can't run the microwave, and four slot toaster at the same time if the furnace is running.
This video could use a discussion of the EasyStart Soft Start for AC and how it allows AC to work with smaller generators.
It is in the works my friend. I apologize for the delay!!
Excellent content as usual. As others have mentioned, bigger wire is always better less heat especially in a short run would’ve been a couple extra dollars and shut up the haters 😂. It’s always a good idea to follow the torque specs on your breaker torque is a big deal. If your house burns down, that’s some thing insurance company will absolutely check. It’s something you can go back and do later so I understand just wanting to get it in working and fine tune when the weather is better.
Thanks so much for the feedback! I really appreciate it.
Deodon, Beigger wire is not always better because the breaker will stipulate the maximum wire size. If you use a larger size beyond the breaker limit, it will be a fire hazard. The rest of your comment is right on. Thank you for your input.
Yes, but it would be hard to overlook the maximum wire size if you were adhering to the different torque specs for the various wire gauges.
EMP PROOF your circuit breaker look online great idea
This is great information, thank you. I would love to hook up solar. Will you be doing a video on that in the future?
It’s definitely possible! Electricity isn’t crazy expensive here in utah but my roof is perfect for solar and we get a ton of sun so it could definitely happen!
Question: Since that was a 50 amp breaker shouldn't one use heavier wire than 10 gauge as I thought 30 amp was the largest one could go with 10 gauge wire? No?
Another good video. We have had several events over the past decade that have left us days and over a week without power. Are there any combustion generator systems that work in tandem with a battery system? I hate running them continuously just for a fridge or to have a night light on. I would think it's better to have the generator kick on when needed, like when the fridge cycles, etc. Any thoughts?
that would be super slick. I’ll have to do some investigating on that!!
Even though this install wasn’t done per Code, You gotta also be careful with some of those Interlock kit you find online. Really Cheap ones are not UL Listed. Most of the UL listed ones also have a breaker retaining bracket that holds down the back feed breaker per code. In most areas, this job will require a Permit to do and inspectors love looking for that UL sticker and making sure the wire size is in accord with the breaker size.
Good point. There are a lot of aftermarket interlocks out there. It’s probably best to purchase the interlock offered directly from the manufacturer to maintain a listed solution.
as others have pointed out the wire should be sized to the breaker, even if the plug is only rated for 30 amps. More explanation of generator sizing should be in this video. With a heat pump we're talking 50 amps or near 10Kw for a gen set, even though the demonstration was with a smaller set.
Yea, I shouldn’t have assumed people would know this doesn’t exactly apply to their particular system. We had a 50 amp breaker on hand but it should have been a 30. I’m sure I’ll be doing this at my house so I’ll make sure and make that one a bit more informative. Thanks for the feedback. Dave
@@diyhvacguy I just hooked up my generator to the house last week. I went with a Champion model 201042 it is only 30a 120v so i only powered one side of my main panel. I hear there is possibly a safe way to use a plug adapter or wire the cable differently to get 120volts to both sides of the panel with a 120 volt generator.
Why were you working on this with the main engaged?
It appears, at the 6:00 section, that this house has aluminum wiring. Is that correct?
I installed a generator tap on my pole. got a 6500 watt generator. I think it's like 23 amp breaker 220 rating on the gen. I prefer to live dangerously and never installed a interlock. I've never figured I could run a heat pump though. I have propane backup, so i just put the units on emergency heat (gas only).
I have a video showing how you can run the heat pump with a generator even if it’s a bit lower wattage. 👍🏼 stay tuned!
What size wire are you using?
Great How to video simple instructions. I have a Reliance Transfer Switch Kit with Pre-wired 10-Circuit Kit and a Sportsman7500-Watt/6000 Watt Running Dual Fuel Generator that I want to hook-up to my home. Have you created a video demonstrating how to install this set-up using the different circuits? If not, can you? Thanks. Great video demo.
I haven’t but I’ll look into it!
@@diyhvacguy Thanks.
The generator must be 220V output to run AC compressor. That's why the generator inlet has 4 prongs, not 3.
Gas/oil heat can run with only a 120V generator, which only has 3 prongs.
Awesome video! I’ve got a Harbor Freight 3500 watt inverter generator that I bought last month. I want to do the same install to my house. It has a 120v 30 amp output plug on it. Would it still power my outdoor gas furnace like yours or would my generator need to have a 240v output like yours?
Yes it would 100 percent power your gas furnace and your fridge and some lights no problem. 👍🏼
Since you bought it last month, return it and buy a 10K watts tri-fuel at Costco for almost the same price. It also includes the battery and carrying wheels, which are extra at HFright
@@OscarRodSeedsofG I only paid $719 at HF with a 20% off coupon. The inverter unit is VERY quiet and isn't all that heavy. It makes it easy for me to bring on a camping trip as well to power my RV.
@@adamcrouch, that makes sense. The 10K I bought is very heavy but in my case is better because I use it as a backup generator to power my house during a power outage.
👍
Great video however I cannot wrap my head around how that 50A breaker feeds the whole house? what are those other breakers in that outdoor panel? Can this be done on an indoor panel in the same way? IE a 50A breaker installed in an open spot in the panel and the interlock kit on the 200A breaker? I'm guessing the only way the interlock kit can work is if the main breaker is close enough to the generator breaker...cant have the generator breaker at the bottom of the panel far away from the main breaker....does that mean another box has to be installed between the indoor 200A panel and the generator connector?
What I meant was you can select manually what circuits you want to power and limit what you are running under generator power.
I would really like to do this at my home. My outside box has only one main breaker switch. All other breakers are in my basement. Does that mean I have to add a larger outdoor panel to allow for the additional 50 amp breaker?
No these interlock kits are made in several different orientation, so you’ll seed to find the correct one for your box. It will show and image of the one for that listing so you can make sure it will fit. Then you’d just run that power to the exterior for your power inlet box and your good to go. So the same thing would apply, except you’d go inside to flip the main off and generator one on 👍🏼 if you have more questions about this email me at diyhvacguy@gmail.com 👍🏼
Put in a reliance transfer switch . End of trouble
Would that generator run heat pump and heat strip if temp calls for the heat strip to turn on?
Probably not this one. You’d have to have a large generator for heat strips. But I have a video coming out soon on how to use a smaller generator like this one for a heat pump. It lowers the inrush amps by like half! Stay tuned for that video. Cheers
@@diyhvacguy, I look forward to your next video. Thank you.
So if my main panel is inside my home I should drill a hole and just run the wire outside then correct ?was the power on this on while you did this ? Thank you
Yep, you would need to run wire out to the "inlet box" for your generator.
Correct. As yoyo7856 said 👍🏼
And yes power was on. Just be very careful
The DIY HVAC Guy knows what he is doing. For none electricians, it is better if you turn off the main switch.
Bro 🤯🤯Whats the generator amp rated at? And the Generator mount! Most I’ve seen generators are 30amp which equals #10 wire! That plug receiver could be rated at 60amp! I’d change that breaker to a 30amp double throw! I’m sure you’re are aware those wires would melt b4 that breaker will trip! Or at least increase to #6 wire - then you should be good! ⚡️🔌⚡️🔌⚡️
Yes I know that my dad isn’t going to overload this. All we installed it for was his gas furnace, the fridge and some lights.
@@diyhvacguy 👍I’d still chg it just to be safe! What if in the future the house is sold and the new homeowner doesn’t have a clue about amperage loads, designed National wire amp limits etc! Truist me I love ur vids, and I’M NOT being disrespectful! Just being concerned! God Bless & tell pops I said “Hi!”🤠
Great idea westinghouse generator 20000 watts tset it out on RUclips video
There’s not a whole lot of breakers in your box to supply emergency power, I probably have 20 or 30. I know everything isn’t being used at the same time, but I have two heating units, two refrigerators and lots of other things to power as well. I have a 4000 watt generator.
This is not the distribution panel, it supplies the power to the other panel with all the breakers 👍🏼
50 amps with 10gauge?????u have to use 6 or at least 8 right????
In hind site yes a 30amp would have been better. I knew this system is only used for a gas furnace no heat pump or ac so we used what we had on hand. Ideally 50 amp would need a 8-6awg wire
Why is that panel outside?
A lot of them are out here in utah. Why I can’t say but it’s up to code.
How much gas does a generator use in a day?
That would be a good test. Depends on size. Mine runs on natural gas so I don’t really have a way of measuring
@@diyhvacguy
The reason I ask is because gasoline generators use a lot of gasoline, so I've read. I don't really know. When natural gas was installed in my home, they installed the incoming pipe on the opposite side off the house where the utility box was not located. So I'm trying to figure out how I would do natural gas or any other fuel other than gasoline and how I would power it. I don't know why they located the incoming pipe opposite from where the power is located. In my case, it looks like it might be hard to power a generator with natural gas. Also, maybe you can do a video on what kinds of options there would be for powering a generator. Thanks for all you do..
@@diyhvacguy ... rule of thumb on gasoline gen sets is 1 gallon per hour per 5 Kw draw. Seeing as a typically sized set will be running at half power most of the time the fuel use will be half of that. Due to inefficiencies, you will almost never go below that consumption rate.
@@rupe53 that's sounds like a lot of gasoline. I usually buy it by the gallon. Thanks for the info.
@@amorales9613 ... yup, but that's the way it is. It will cost you about 6 times more to make power than what you pay the utility company.... not counting the price of the gen set or servicing. That's why I tell people to think of it as camping, where you only use the minimum.... lights, heat, fridge. Forget the AC and other frills for a few hours and you can save a bundle.
Your 3500 wat generator is less then 15 amps a leg. You are not going to power much of a house on it. Under two lighting circuits. 3600 watts would be 15 amps per leg with no voltage drop running at max.
Yea, we were working with what we had, my dad just has a gas package unit, all he needs is for that to run, his fridge and a couple lights. It did it no problem while we were doing this test.
For a heat pump obviously you’d need a larger generator but this was for demonstration purposes. As I said, you need to get a power inlet box rated for your generator and your needs 👍🏼 cheers
Is it me or it’s odd that the main breaker panel is located on the exterior of the house. Easy access for a bad guy to dark out the home.
Some regions of the US (California is an example) incorporate either a main breaker or a main panel outside nearest where the utility enters the dwelling. There are very few instances of the "bad guy" turning off the power fortunately..
Depends on location. In the Midwest it’s most common to have them indoors. But, rural areas like farms have one on a pole normally which feed other buildings. My house also has one on the outside before finally going to a panel in my house.
This was at my parents home in Tennessee, and my home here in utah also has the main on the exterior.
New National Electrical Code is requiring Emergency disconnect on outside of the house for first responders to isolate power. Not all areas of the country have adopted the code cycle that requires it.
Do you want to know what odd is? I bought a commercial building and one night I got a call that there was no light in the whole building. I call the electrician and he could not find what the problem was. Fortunately, I knew the old owner and he told me that there was a cut-off switch that controls the power going into the building on the light pole on the side of the street and some kids had turned it off.
Yes, as long as a generator with a 30a breaker to a 30a 125/250v TL receptacle or less plugged into your 30a 125/250v inlet on your house and #10 wire to the 50a double pole breaker would work BUT... The problem arises when someone else buys the home and has a genset that has a 50a breaker feeding a 50a 125/250v receptacle and uses an adapter to go to a 30a 125/250v (commonly available) now you have a dangerous installation.
That's why the permitting/inspector process is so valuable. It's not only for your safety but for the general public who may own the house down the line. You seriously don't want the liability.
Good point. My parents have been in this home for 40 years. I’m going to update it with #6cable and a 50 amp power inlet box next time I’m there.
@@diyhvacguy That works but if the existing genset works for what you want just change the 50a breaker in the panel to a 30a breaker, done! You can still use up to a 7KW genset with the 30amp wiring you have. I have a 7kw Honda Inverter genset and use exactly what you have (except 30a breaker in the panel). Good Luck and nice video.
Put your gloves on-consider the range of skill levels watching you
better advise would be turn the main off so at least the buss bars are not live. that being said I've added breakers to a live panel many times you just have to have a understanding of what you are working on. dont touch it if you have any doubt
Agreed. I was just super careful, because my sister and mom were working from home and I didn’t want to kill power until it was finished. This is a valid point for DIYers looking to do this though! Thanks for sharing