Electrical Engineer explains connecting generators to your home

Well, it's not often you have qualified experts providing good information. Thank you.

Thank you. This may be the best, no BS introduction to this topic. I was aware of most of the info. But it is the first I've heard of a meter plug.

Fantastic information regarding home generators. Detailed, yet easy to understand. Thank you for taking the time to make this awesome informational video.

Great video! I had no idea that PG&E offered that panel installation, I’ll definitely take advantage of that. Thanks for the advice.

Outstanding video with "right on" advice. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

Excellent Video Richard. Thank you for an easy to understand pro's and con's of home generators.

Well done brother. I installed a 10 circuit manual transfer switch (all single pole). Circuits include tankless natural gas hot water, natural gas furnace, refrigerator, freezer, sump pump, whole house dehumidifier and some light circuits. Gasoline powered 8500 running watts generator grounded to a copper ground rod and I converted the generator to floating neutral. The generator is in a utility building 40 feet from the house connected with #8 buried wire. I had my work inspected by an electrician before use because of many of the comments you made. If all circuits are up and running the generator is operating at less than 50% load. I'd like to add the generator and circuits need to be exercised monthly for about 30 minutes and I use premium non ethanol fuel. You comments about maintenance are spot on. I perform all required maintenance more frequently than the manufacturer's schedule. Hope it's OK to share this, especially for the portable generators folks. Cheers!

You broke this down so well, I really appreciate this video.

Dig your advice and explanation....probably best I've ever seen and I don't compliment much because I expect excellence but you did an exceptionally good job. Thanks

Thank you for putting good advice out for everyone. So many are teaching people to make a suicide cord

Thanks for the great video :-) I hope you'll post more like it on related topics.

That was very helpful! I have all of my necessary circuits wired with an SO cord plugged into a receptacle. Power goes out, I unplug and plug into extension cords. Works fine, a little more manual work to do so. I also knocked a hole thru my walkout basement door and slipped PVC pipe with screw caps on both ends so I can Route a heavy cord thru without having to leave the door open.

Great overview. How the heck did we ever survive our youth, before op-amps and subsequently GFCIs were developed? 🤔😮 I learned the best way to prevent my electrocution was to let go of what was shocking me. I was wiring up experiments from the age of around five to seven. After getting shocked by the heat register I discovered I could make things run on one outlet wire and the heat vent. Amazing I survived! But good background for developing an understanding of the wiring system. Nice combo electronics and studio bench, btw. Cheers!

Thanks for this info, Richard. Well done. I have a Generac XT8000e, and after no power for 9 days after Fiona, I bought a Honda EU7000is. I needed cleaner power for the computers etc. The UPS systems could not keep the power clean without clicking on and off and driving me crazy. All ready for the next hurricane now! Have a great day! 😀

Great video, I just bought a portable inverter generator. I like the meter extension as a solution.

Great tutorial delivered for understanding.

Companies are not adding propain to homes like they did before at least our area. I called the company and reached NC area. Big companies are buying small areas. Also for gas everyone should run until the engine stops after shutting the fuel valve off. A great review

Thank you for the video. I just want to add one important tip for the DIY guy who wants to install one of those little green transfer switch boxes on their furnace. Some of the ones being sold on Amazon are NOT UL Listed devices. Some of the reviews even say they had components melt and short out in them.

Well done. You put out a ton of good information!

As an electrical guy....loved your video. I would love to highlight a few things. 1) generator exhaust creates deadly fumes and creates special rules for generator placement. (A family in Orlando put the generator in their house during a storm and the whole family was wiped out). 2) Transformers work in both directions. If you power it up by backfiring (connecting your generator to the utility) you may power up the power cable the kids are riding over on their bicycles. You may also end up killing the people trying to get you your power back. 3) if you are using a generator to supply your panel and it only carries some, not all, of your house....try a colorized system. A dab of paint on your breakers that covers no breaker information. Essentials....green color. Essentials like fridge and microwave for food. Sometimes.....yellow color. Turn this on if you gotta have it, off if you don't. Water heater or window. A/c for sleep....as long as it fits. No stinking way......loads that are too big for your generator. Whole home a/c or stove/oven come to mind. Easy to remember and explain when you are not at home. Once in a while, test your system to make sure you got it right. 2 adage are correct.... It is better to have and not need than to need and not have. There are 7 "P's" for success and 2 "P's" for failure. Don't be lazy. Hope that saves someone a little grief.