Portable Generators and Back-Feed can be Deadly.

A public service announcement by:

Curtis E. Falany, P.E., President
J. B. Shepherd & Company, Inc.
Forensic Electrical Engineers

Connecting a portable generator to your home wiring system, often called back-feeding, is a horrible, and dangerous idea. Often, you will find information on the Internet instructing that back-feeding can be done safely, but for most people it’s never safe.

Now that hurricane season is approaching many Floridians are asking, how do I safely use my portable generator?

Here are my suggestions:

Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

1. DO NOT operate your generator where deadly carbon monoxide exhaust gas can enter your home or anyone else’s.

3. Safely store extra fuel. Use approved gasoline containers in good condition and follow any written instructions.

4. Use electrical cords in good condition. Check that the original cord ends are in place, that no ground pins cut off or missing, and that no insulation is damaged.

5. Use appropriately sized electrical cords. For outlets protected by 15 amp circuit wire use a #14 AWG copper wire. For outlets protected by 20 amp circuit breakers use a #12 copper wire. Connect your critical loads to the generator using these extension cords.

6. DO NOT energize your house using a ‘back-feed’ cord. Even for experienced electricians, back-feeding can become dangerous very quickly.

As a forensic engineer, I have had cases where persons were injured or killed by back-feeding. Your back-fed generator can put thousands of volts on electric utility circuits, which endangers utility workers. Your back-fed generator may also energize the wiring in your neighbor’s home, which not only puts yourself, but also those around you at risk for major injury or death.