HUGE Electrical Mistake Too Many People Make - Backfeeding

i'm a retired lineman for a local power company and over the years we would always be on the lookout for home generators that might be backfeeding onto our syetem during outages.

I always backfeed through the dryer outlet... This is how I've done it for years. 1. My house has a main disconnect that isolates it from the incoming electrical service. This remains OFF until I see that power has been restored to the neighborhood. 2. I use #8 AWG wire and 30 amp plugs on the 30 amp feed from the generator. Dryer breaker is also rated for 30 amps. 3. I turn off all breakers - generator, dryer, main disco and all breakers in the house breaker box. 4. Plug both ends of cord in, start generator and flip breakers on in order of flow - generator, dryer, then whichever breakers I need for the house, usually fridge, window unit or space heater, air pump for fishroom and a few lights. Everything else in the house is unplugged. 5. Nobody and I mean nobody is allowed to touch the generator, power cord or breaker box except me. If I'm missing anything, please let me know.

I am not an electrician but I do enjoy the quality and experience you bring to others in your video presentations. I thank you for your time and effort in bringing safety to others such as myself.

Glad to hear you mention back feed on line crews. My career was in that arena and, as time progressed from the 70’s well into the 2000’s the used of generators and back feed problems got worse and worse. While working storm trouble we’d arrive on a job site and our ears would be tuned to the sound of running generators. People don’t realize that transformers are ‘stupid’ and will not only STWP DOWN voltage, but they STEP UP voltage as well! Good job….I enjoy your videos!

Thanks for that explanation. I had a friend who did that for his electric when his solar power poofed. It seemed kind of iffy to me, and I told him, but it worked and he got by with it until we got his solar fixed up again. Still, I wouldn't want to do that at my place. I made an outlet for it to supply my house. Except then I realized that way I had it, it could back feed into my inverter and maybe burn it out ... the more you think about it, the more complicated it can get!

We powered our fridge and lights in apartment when out power got shut off ,due to non payment... the landlord even gave us his male to male cord and his the one that suggested doing it,we just made sure to plug the dead end in first,then went out into the hallway. Never had an issue. And that how we renovated the apartments that were empty,and had no power. But I agree it is dangerous,just one person that is not with the program can be seriously injured. And especially if you have kids or pets running around,but we didn't have that to worry about . The only time I needed a generator for powering my fridge in a power outage,I plugged it directly into the generator. Good vid!

I'm using a 50 amp cord that plugs into my generator and the other end plugs into my compressor/welding plug. I dont have the switch and do understand the risk to others if you don't turn off main power and actually back-feed the power grid. Old school yes but it works. Was actually put in by previous owner and he told me how he used it. Great channel good advice.

Thank you for the video. Being educated on this makes for better consumers. It’s good to know what you are buying when you hire a tradesman to do the work.

extremely informative and important,honestly thank you for this video

I added a genny as soon as I could afford one, a small portable That fed thru a dedicated plug in the workshop when needed... But, I had the setup checked by the power company and they went over my startup and shutdown checklist for me and approved it. First item on the Start Up Checklist was TURN OFF main power breaker. Last item on the Shut Down Check List; Turn On Main Power breaker. As soon as we could afford it, we got a 20k Generac Genny that was properly wired into the house, started and shutdown automatically and auto switched. But living in a small rural community where power went out when butterflies flew by during a storm... we needed backup power. LOL.

The world went on fine without safety nerds for tens of thousands of years bro. This hysteria about S-cables only began about ten years ago. Prior to that no one was willing to pay thousands of dollars for an install for a back up $200 generator from a hardware store.

I have a dedicated 50 amp breaker installed to house secondary break that controls the power into the house. The next thing is turning off so breaker on the house breaker system. Then I’ll connect the cabling from the female Before going any further I’ll turn off the main primary breaker from the city. This way there is no risk of creating any hazard or risk of a fire. I’ll start the generator with all breakers turned off. From I make connection from breaker box to the generator. Then I’ll energize the circuit. From there I turn on only the breaker needed to use. I would attached pictures but this app does not allow that. That’s for you video

And you plug it in the outlet first then the generator and opposite when disconnecting

Very well done!

I used to use a cord like that when I was working in a apartment that had no power I would plug one end into apartment common area hallway and the other end into a outlet in the apartment unit so I can have lights and power outlets In that area that I'm working in.

thank you

As long as you turn off the main breaker and remember to keep it off till the generator is disconnected from the setup and remove the cord you'll be ok and be mindful of the Amps you use too

Great video great info

When it comes to current: 1. Generators tend to have a separate fuze for the 20A outlets 2. Breakers work both ways This means that if the generator does not have a fuze, only the line up to the breaker can take more than the breaker is rated for It should also be said that while backfeeding is an issue, the lineman still needs to wear safety gear as there are still plenty of other ways to put a charge on the wires With that said, I am still not ever buying or making any cords with male to male plugs.

Great presentation. If you don't know how to shut off your main breaker and not energize your generator electric panel until all cords have been installed or plug in last to the generator, then stick with extension cords and/or get a transfer switch.