If you’ve ever tried to hook up a portable generator to your house, you know that it’s not as easy as it seems. In this post, we’ll walk you through the process of hooking up a portable generator safely and correctly. We’ll also discuss some of the benefits of using a portable generator during a power outage.
So, whether you’re new to generators or just looking for more information, keep reading! If you’ve ever had to use a portable generator, you know how important it is to connect it properly to your house. If not done correctly, you could end up with a power outage, So the question is portable generator users is that?
How Do You Hook Up A Portable Generator To The House? Now you don’t need to worry, because in this post we’ll walk you through the process of hooking up your portable generator safely and correctly with step-by-step instructions.
We’ll also discuss some of the benefits of using a portable generator during a power outage. So, whether you’re new to generators or just looking for more information, keep reading!
How to hook up a portable generator to the house?(step by step)
- Choose a safe place
- Connect your portable generator to your main power supply
- Connect your appliances to the stationary receptacles located on your generator.
- Connect your portable generator to your home’s electrical system
- Connect the exhaust pipe
Step 1: Choose a safe place
Many people place their portable generators on their driveway or in front of their house. However, this isn’t the best idea because it’s dangerous and could result in accidents. First of all, you’ll need to choose a flat surface away from your house and where your neighbors can easily access it as well.
Make sure that the surface is clear of any items that could be potentially hazardous. You’ll also want to avoid placing it in a low area where water can accumulate or near anything that could produce sparks such as woodpiles, firewood, brush, etc.
Step 2: Connect your portable generator to your main power supply
This is the most important step when hooking up your generator to your house. You’ll need to connect it to the main power supply that supplies power to the entire house’s electrical system. The most common place for this is in your fuse box, which is usually located in an outside garage wall or just inside of the front door. If you’re not sure where the main fuse box is located in your house, contact a licensed and insured electrician.
WARNING:
Never connect the main power supply wire to your portable generator without first shutting off all of the breakers to your home. This is an extremely dangerous situation and could result in electrocution.
Step 3: Connect your appliances to the stationary receptacles located on your generator.
All portable generators come with stationary receptacles, which are basically outlets that you plug your appliances into. These typically have 20 or 30 amp 110-volt plugs. It’s important to note that the power produced by the generator is only suitable for smaller appliances such as lights and fans, but not high-wattage appliances like heaters or electric ovens.
If you attempt to use high-wattage appliances on the generator, you run the risk of blowing a fuse or circuit breaker. If this happens, disconnect them and only connect appliances that are allowed with your portable generator.
Step 4: Connect your portable generator to your home’s electrical system.
This is another extremely important step when hooking up your generator to your house. Before doing anything, make sure that the main power supply has been disconnected from your house. You can then connect one end of a heavy gauge wire (10 AWG) to the generator’s stationary 110-volt receptacle and another end to your main electrical panel.
Connecting it is as easy as using a screwdriver or wrench to tighten the connection but make note of which wire you connect to what. If your generator doesn’t have a built-in circuit breaker, you can purchase one that’s compatible with your portable generator.
Step 5: Connect the exhaust pipe
Your generator will come with an exhaust pipe that needs to be connected in order for it to produce power. If you’re uncomfortable connecting it yourself, an electrician can do it for you at an additional cost.
Secure the pipe to your house or building by using clamps on either side of the exhaust outlet nozzle. You don’t want this secured anyplace where carbon monoxide can fill up in your home.
Conclusion:
So, there you have it. You now know how to hook up a portable generator safely and correctly. Remember that your generator needs ventilation in order for it to be safe for use indoors.
Simply connect the exhaust pipe to the exterior of your house or building and place an additional carbon monoxide detector near where you run the generator. If you follow these steps, you’ll be using your generator safely and efficiently.
FAQs:
Q: How long will it take to connect a portable generator?
A. It will only take half an hour at most to hook up your generator properly. If you’re not sure how it might be best to leave the job to the professionals. A licensed and insured electrician can do this for you in just one visit, so save yourself some time and money.
Q: Is it safe to use a portable generator indoors?
A: NEVER hook up your portable generator indoors without proper ventilation. A window is acceptable, but you still run the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if not enough air gets in. If your house is wired with natural gas or propane, do not connect the portable generator.
Natural gas and propane are extremely dangerous when mixing with carbon monoxide, so you risk explosion in this situation. Instead, hire a professional to do the job for you.
Q: Where can I purchase an exhaust pipe?
A: You can either purchase one from your local hardware store or a portable generator dealer. An exhaust pipe typically costs around $20-$40. It’s important to note that you might need a heavy gauge wire as well, which can also be purchased from the same place.
