36
votes
How to provide backup power to a three-phase European home?
Neutral MATTERS
I connected it to the house via an isolator switch, but this just doesn't work well at all. The three outputs measure at 230 each, (how is it 690?) but when I turn anything on, even ...
29
votes
Propane appliances throwing orange flames suddenly and generator's back firing
Let's learn about energy: BTUs.
Put 1 pound of water (just shy of a pint) on the stove and stick a thermometer in it. Turn the stove on, and watch the water warm up on the thermometer.
You're ...
28
votes
Propane appliances throwing orange flames suddenly and generator's back firing
Kris' comment is likely a good reference. Consider to perform a test by operating only one device. If the duration of normal operation increases, or normal operation continues throughout the test, it'...
- 10.5k
25
votes
Accepted
Propane appliances throwing orange flames suddenly and generator's back firing
Ask your propane company to check the gas pressure anywhere in the system and then fire all appliances in the system, the low pressure side (after the second stage regulator) should stay above 11 ...
- 266
22
votes
What happens if you connect the same phase AC (from a generator) to both sides of an electrical panel?
120V hot to neutral is single-phase. 240V hot to hot is also single-phase, indeed the same single-phase, without involving the neutral center-tap on the transformer.
The 120V loads see 120V
The 240V ...
- 192k
20
votes
Accepted
Does the NEC allow a sub panel to be powered by a generator and an automatic transfer switch?
Sure, this isn't an issue
What you're proposing isn't a problem at all from a Code standpoint. In fact, it's the normal way automatic transfer is done in facilities that have more complex power needs, ...
- 80.8k
19
votes
Accepted
New house generator AC breaker tripping
Found it! It’s the breaker.
It’s in the wrong place, because somebody really worked to defeat the keying meant to force it into the right place.
This is going to take a little explaining, though.
...
14
votes
How can I ensure a level 2 EV charger will not run while my standby generator is running?
You could split your electric service into two panels: a main and a sub.
The main panel would hold all the devices you don't wish to run on generator:
EV charger
Electric water heater
Electric dryer
...
- 16.1k
13
votes
How could this "extension cord" ever be sold?
Obviously, it's possible that a person sitting in an unfriendly nation, can go onto eBay (USA) and add product listings. And then when they get sales, they can ship the items using the USPS ePacket ...
12
votes
How can I plug my portable generator into a "wall outlet"?
You should replace the garage outlet with an inlet, such as this (Amazon, as an example).
This way, you can use a standard male-female cord, either a standard extension cord or one made with the ...
- 12k
12
votes
Accepted
using two outlets as extension cord
Yes, and I've done this myself.
But not two outlets. The generator side one is an inlet.
(These also come in a form-factor that is the same as an outlet).
From the inlet, you use in-the-wall ...
12
votes
Can I run my 40 Amp Range Stove partially on a 30 Amp generator
I'd take a third option here. You clearly have a place to store fuel and someplace where you can run it so I would suggest a propane tank and stove. Cheap, very long shelf life so long as it's ...
- 964
12
votes
How to provide backup power to a three-phase European home?
Harper has identified the issue correctly. I suggest another way of getting the neutral in case your generator is wired as a delta. Many small motors/generators allow both star and delta wiring, ...
- 121
11
votes
Portable generator won't start
As gasoline evaporates it leaves a gummy varnish in the carburetor
Gasoline sitting for three years in the float bowl of a carburetor will surely lead to some varnish. The hydrocarbons evaporate ...
- 211
11
votes
8500 W generator with L14-30 plug.. How to access full capacity for house?
Don't worry about it
Breakers have a certain latitude to them, and can run slightly above rating for a short time. That provides for motor starting and short term overloads.
You're not supposed to ...
11
votes
Can a switchover to backup power be seamless for a whole house?
This already exists COTS
The Tesla PowerWall is the most high visibility version, but there are competitors, and you could even knock one together out of golf cart batteries and inverters. What ...
11
votes
What's the best way to connect transfer switch and sub panel?
Get a bigger subpanel
You appear to have an automatic transfer switch, and the switching happens there. The 10? 12? space subpanel is just an ordinary run of the mill subpanel. It isn't special, it ...
11
votes
Accepted
Trying to determine how large a generator I need for my minisplit HVAC system
Output (heat or cooling watts) is not what you need here - it's input (electrical) that matters.
Look at the label on the compressor for "minimum circuit ampacity" - if the head units are (...
- 192k
10
votes
What happens if you connect the same phase AC (from a generator) to both sides of an electrical panel?
Watch out for your neutral bars!
The main issue with feeding the two busses of a split phase panel from the same phase is that if you try to feed both hot busbars at the full rated panel ampacity, you'...
- 80.8k
9
votes
Propane appliances throwing orange flames suddenly and generator's back firing
As an HVAC technician, some of these answers you're getting are really bothering me.
Do not wrap anything around your tanks, especially anything electrical.
They are designed the way they are for a ...
- 121
9
votes
How can I ensure a level 2 EV charger will not run while my standby generator is running?
Large enough to carry the load to be served
This is the requirement on generator size for ANY installation with an automatic transfer switch.
"The Load to be Served" is decided by a NEC ...
9
votes
Does the NEC allow a sub panel to be powered by a generator and an automatic transfer switch?
Don't add an empty subpanel just for new future loads. You should thoughtfully move some existing circuits to the new panel, leaving room in both panels for new future circuits. In the end the sub-...
- 32.1k
8
votes
Generator connected direct to an Unused Breaker
Yes, but not safely nor legally. There are plenty of resources available explaining the risks of doing so and the right way do it. Here's one:
This is dangerous.
It is an electrical code violation.
...
- 126k
8
votes
Can I get 240v out of a 120v generator?
What you describe won't work, and it's not safe for you (or anyone else) to do what you describe.
If you have a single phase 120 volt generator and you need to supply power to a 240 volt split phase ...
- 181
8
votes
Accepted
Can I run my 40 Amp Range Stove partially on a 30 Amp generator
Generally yes can use part of your range. Each burner is different, I've seen 8" burners use up to 2500 watts, smaller can be 1200 to 1500.
I have even baked a pie. However I had to trick the ...
- 15.8k
8
votes
How can I supply 240v power to my home with 120v generators?
Two identical 12V car batteries could deliver 24V, and two identical 120V~ transformers at the same net could deliver 240V~.
But two 120V~ generators can not simply be connected in series to get ...
- 2,518
8
votes
How can I extend #6 wire in a service panel?
Probably safest for a neophyte:
Mac-Block or Polaris connectors of the correct AWG range, and remember that the screws need to be correctly torqued with a torque driver, neither too loose nor too ...
- 192k
7
votes
Can I backfeed a portable generator into my house's electrical system?
Old question, but common problem.
There IS a sensible, safe, legal middle ground between backfeeding and a full-blown (and expensive) transfer switch: a circuit-breaker panel interlock switch.
An ...
- 624
7
votes
Does "inverter generator" mean it is a "pure sine wave" generator?
Most inverter generators are a "good enough" sine wave.
I think you're missing the point of inverter generators. The root problem is that regular gas generators cannot produce a "clean&...
- 23.5k
7
votes
Wiring a Generator to Main Breaker Panel
The 4 Rules of Standby Generator Hookups
There are four rules that must be followed in order to have a safe and Code-compliant generator hookup:
There must be a positive mechanical means preventing ...
- 80.8k
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