Backfeed generator through plug point

cavedog

cavedog

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So many people suggested backfeeding through a plug point is the fastest solution if you don't have a switch over switch wired in the db.

I would like to know what you guys think about this method.

I have read that it is illegal but so is wiring anything yourself into the db if you are not a qualified electrician.

Dangerous? If you follow a few simple steps like not overloading the plug and always having the main switch off is it still a risk?
 
cavedog said:
So many people suggested backfeeding through a plug point is the fastest solution if you don't have a switch over switch wired in the db.

I would like to know what you guys think about this method.

I have read that it is illegal but so is wiring anything yourself into the db if you are not a qualified electrician.

Dangerous? If you follow a few simple steps like not overloading the plug and always having the main switch off is it still a risk?
Click to expand...

Eish
 
cavedog said:
People always say that but they don't explain or say why they think it's dangerous?
Click to expand...

1.You bypass the earth leakage protection system
2. You potentially have live voltage on exposed plug pins. Live is always socket, not pin, for a reason
3. You risk overloading that plug circuit
4. You risk overloading the cable
5. You risk forgetting to isolate the grid from the DB, possibly killing a techie working on your substation or feed cables

Need I go on?
 
Sinbad said:
1.You bypass the earth leakage protection system
2. You potentially have live voltage on exposed plug pins. Live is always socket, not pin, for a reason
3. You risk overloading that plug circuit
4. You risk overloading the cable
5. You risk forgetting to isolate the grid from the DB, possibly killing a techie working on your substation or feed cables

Need I go on?
Click to expand...

1. So running a extension cord and daisy linking all your appliances is a more safer option because that would magically add a earth leakage system to that setup?

Backfeeding through a plug still means that you go through atleast 1 20A breaker and if something goes wrong it would trip. The generator also have a breaker installed.

5. That is really serious but would a 4KW generator not just trip before such thing happen because it would overload backfeeding to the grid.....

btw I just created this topic for discussion. I already have a quote to have a switch over switch installed. I just though I create a topic here because believe it or not there are tons of people this type setup.
 
1. No the extension cord option is not ideal either.

Yes there's a 20A breaker. Plugs are specced for 15 though.
5 yes it would overload but quickly enough not to cause damage or injury?

I know there are tons of people doing it. I used to do it too. It scared the bejesus out of me but cash flow was a problem :-(

So I never let anyone in the house except me do the actual connection.

Now I have a co switch my wife can happily start up the Genny and switch over.
 
I asked a similar question earlier this week and now I'm afraid to even use the generator :o

If you don't mind me asking, how much was the quote you received, cavedog?
 
How much does a switch cost? I have a DB in the garage that feeds power to the DB in the house so I figure since the generator lives in the garage that would be the place to put the switch since I'd still have power to the garage as well as the house.
 
Sinbad said:
1. No the extension cord option is not ideal either.

Yes there's a 20A breaker. Plugs are specced for 15 though.
5 yes it would overload but quickly enough not to cause damage or injury?

I know there are tons of people doing it. I used to do it too. It scared the bejesus out of me but cash flow was a problem :-(

So I never let anyone in the house except me do the actual connection.

Now I have a co switch my wife can happily start up the Genny and switch over.
Click to expand...

I can also suggest, for safety sake, to drive a earth pin into the ground near the generator and then connect a thick cable from that to the earth point on your generator. This is how I operate mine, I suppose the gennie has the earth point for a reason :whistle:

I cannot see myself using a dead mans lead, the thought of a live plug scares me and you can easily fck up your wiring and burn down the house.
 
D3nz said:
I asked a similar question earlier this week and now I'm afraid to even use the generator :o

If you don't mind me asking, how much was the quote you received, cavedog?
Click to expand...

The switch is about R400-R500. I got a thick heavy duty suffix cable in the garage. Labour for the electrician is about R2500 so it depends on who you use but you looking @ about R3000-R3500 depending on your needs like cable and type of switch.
 
That's a very good price for a switch. I paid double that not long ago. From a wholesaler.
 
Sinbad said:
That's a very good price for a switch. I paid double that not long ago. From a wholesaler.
Click to expand...

I do not trust that switch or the guy that was trying to sell it to me either. Now with the loadshedding looks like every person on the street has suddenly become a electrician.
 
cavedog said:
I do not trust that switch or the guy that was trying to sell it to me either. Now with the loadshedding looks like every person on the street has suddenly become a electrician.
Click to expand...

What make of switch, what current rating?
 
40 amps is not enough. You need to match to your mains circuit breaker as your full current runs through the switch.
 
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