Backfeed generator through plug point

[bruce_the_loon]

40 amps is not enough. You need to match to your mains circuit breaker as your full current runs through the switch.

Even if I am splitting the lights/plugs from the stove/geyser on the DB? Not interested in powering those from the 3 or 5 kVA inverter. My DB, wired in 1987, has 60A main, then stove/geyser and then a 30A earth leakage with the plugs and lights hanging off that. Will put the changeover between the EL and the main breaker for Eskom and feed the inverter into the other side of the changeover. This is still in the early-planning phase and my pet electrician hasn't been consulted as yet. Will appreciate input.

 

[B@rrels]

If you install an earth leakage unit in the garage where you gen is and let the gen connect into that and then into a plug point that should be safe enough for a heath robinson setup and cheaper.
PS. I are an electrician

You do get change over switches now that fit into your DB ...will find out more

 

[bwana]

If you install an earth leakage unit in the garage where you gen is and let the gen connect into that and then into a plug point that should be safe enough for a heath robinson setup and cheaper.
PS. I are an electrician

You talkin' to me?

 

[B@rrels]

You talkin' to me?

Anybody

 

[B@rrels]

You talkin' to me?

Yes,now that I read your post,Boss!!
Not the EL unit in your DB in the garage...a new one as the power goes thru the wrong way of the one in your garage

 

[bwana]

Yes,now that I read your post,Boss!!

Awesome. Thanks.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

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?

6. You forget to unplug the gennie and turn the mains back on, boom...
7. Fire
8. Thin wires-High Resistance-Low Voltage-Nuked electronics.
9. Electrocution
10. Death

 

[slvR]

Nooo, Never ever do this, If something goes wrong or you forget to turn off the breaker before you plug it in or when the power comes back on, Your generator will literally be a bomb.

 

[B@rrels]

Nooo, Never ever do this, If something goes wrong or you forget to turn off the breaker before you plug it in or when the power comes back on, Your generator will literally be a bomb.

That happened to me during the 2008 episode..my genny was red hot and buzzing.I couldn't touch it for 2 days ,once it cooled down I stripped it and couldn't find anything wrong but re-soldered the joints on the diodes on the rotor and still keeping me with power..lucky
,

 

[DominionZA]

I used to do this. Made up a 16A cable with a plug on each end. Before firing up the genny I would switch off mains, plug the genny into a socket, and go for it.
Did this for years, and understood the dangers. I was the only one allowed to do it

We now have a changeover switch which cost just over R2k to get installed. Genny I'd electric start, so anyone can do it now.
Still got to remember to switch off the geyser though.

My advice, unless really strapped for cash, don't do it and get a changeover switch.