While talking to a buddy the other day, he mentioned that he thought that one could have an electrician (trust me, I won't try this on my own) wire something at the panel within a regular house such that a person could take a generators' power and plug it in to the 240 outlet for an electric clothes dryer and run various items within a house (obviously, within capacity of the generator)...

Can anyone confirm this?

Sounds like the best way for me to go -- that is, in the event that we have another significant outage like we've had over the past couple of years (ice storm & wind storm)...

Again, I'm not asking HOW to do it but, rather -- if it can be done and if it's legal/safe.

THANKS!!!!!!!!

 

It's true, but I have no idea how to do it.

I hate fooling with electricity.

 

Yes it can be done. You just have to wire it in your breaker box to an open double breaker. Make sure you use a heavy gauge wires, and that it is grounded properly. Most importantly... Make sure you shut the main breaker off before plugging in the generator!

 

It is called a generators transfer switch, it will keep the power in the house not going down the power line where a person working on the power lines could get shocked. Most states it is a law.

 

A transfer switch would be safer. They shutoff power from the power line before the generator power is switched in. Many are automatic. There are panels designed to cut off unessential circuits when the transfer switch is tripped so generator capacity isn't exceeded but those are cost effective only on new construction. A branch panel can be wired with the essential circuits and the transfer switch can be put between the branch panel and the main panel.

If you don't already have a generator, there are stationary generators designed for the purpose that are usually propane or natural gas operated (some are even dual fueled). The companies that put these out usually carry the hardware to connect these to your house circuits.

There are codes involved with such an installation and you would be wise to check with your building department and/or an electrician before plunking down any money for anything.

 

This video explains it more in-depth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBnve8XvN1s

 

Yes , Like mentioned above transfer swithes are the best and safest. But, In a pinch you can do it . Like avfrog described .

 

Manual transfer switches aren't much more expensive than adding extra breakers and are a lot safer plus, as someone pointed out, many jurisdictions require it.

 

Thanks, guys (and gal ). I'll consult with an electrician. I've done a bit of additional research and I've found quite a bit about it out there... I know it's not something that I'd take on and I definitely want to do it to code based upon the potential danger to an electrical worker...

Again - THANK YOU.

 

I used a Generator Interlok Kit when I wired our generator to our previous home. It locks out the generator or the incoming circuit, depending on where it is positioned. But to answer your question, yes you can plug into a dryer plug and power your house, but as stated before not the safest way.

 

Thanks, man. I'm definitely interested in doing it safely (the last thing I want is someone hurt or my house aflame). There is a convienience thing too though... to get the generator cord over from my deck over to my dryer plug would be CAKE -- plus, I could chain down my gennie to the deck helping to thwart a would-be thief. Running it to my electrical panel may make the previously mentioned thwarting difficult due to location... I'm pretty sure I could devise something to keep it from rolling off though...

 

Yeah its possible and very nice to have. Our house was wired up for it initially, we just didnt have the switch box. Well after hurricane ike left us without power for a week my dad said screw it and got our house wired up and good to go.

 

I read in a book you don't need an electrician, it was an autobiography by Don King.

 

I do kind of dig his hair... Seems like an inexpensive style option.

 

When I get my travel trailer, it will have a propane powered generator and an automatic transfer switch if I have to put it there myself! That way I'll still have power if the shore power goes down.