Posted by John T on October 27, 2014 at 08:58:16 from (216.249.72.121):
In Reply to: Sorta OT posted by Dan Richardson on October 27, 2014 at 04:50:42:
"Can a 5KW generator be back fed thru a dryer outlet"
Here we go again, Electrical and Legal questions really draw out the answers, me included lol Although we have beat this to death on here time and time again, hey I will try to provide guidance, then see what other trained professional current in the trade electricians and engineers have to say as well as what all others might suggest. I bet the correct answer is on here somewhere!!!! BUT YOU ARE THE ONE WHO HAS TO DECIDE AS YOUR LIFE MAY DEPEND ON IT!!!!!
QUESTION
I would have posed the question as follows and take this is what you intended: "Can a dryer outlet be used to backfeed a panel using a 5KW Generator"
ANSWER
YES Billy Bob and Bubba, it could be "used" and will "work" (sort of, even if NOT NEC approved)
I was happy to see your addition "Obviously the main breaker would be turned off" which shows youre aware of the hazards of backfeeding the utility and injuring a lineman and understand it so I wont flame on you like I bet some do lol YOU ARE ALREADY AWARE OF THAT AND SAID SO
MY QUESTION TO YOU:
Is the "dryer outlet" a 120/240 volt 3 Pole 4 Wire Grounding????????? Or is it a 240 volt 2 Pole 3 Wire Grounding??????????
If you intend to feed BOTH 120 & 240, you really need a 120/240 Volt 3 Pole (L1, L2, Neutral) 4 Wire Grounding.... (If not you may be using the bare/green Equipment Grounding Conductor as a Neutral (A live current carrying Grounded Conductor A MAJOR NO NO, HAZARD AND NEC VIOLATION)
To feed 120 ONLY, a 2 Pole (Hot & Neutral) 3 Wire Grounding would do.
ISSUE: If your genny is running (but I bet youre not that stupid) and it has the MALE plug youre going to plug into that FEMALE dryer outlet IT IS HOT AND HAZARDOUS.
THE MORE CORRECT AND CODE APPROVED AND SAFER WAY
Use what cords and plugs and connectors and wiring you please so long as its safe and no exposed live parts THEN A CHEAP WAY IS TO USE A SLIDER TYPE RELATIVELY CHEAP LOCKOUT (TRANSFER SWITCH MEANS) DEVICE ON YOUR PANEL THAT ONLY ALLOWS A BACKFEED BREAKER TO BE TURNED ON IF THE MAIN IS OFF.....Then that backfeed breaker (up top by main) is what is powered by your 5 KW Genset (and by a safe cord and plug or wire and conduit etc method)
IMPORTANT NOTE often overlooked by Billy Bob:
If you intend to ONLY switch the Hots and NOT the Neutral, i.e. a 2 pole transfer switch, the genny needs to be configured NOT as a Separately derived Source. WHAT THAT MEANS IS you MUST sever any Neutral to case/frame bond your genny likely has,,,,,,,,,Bond Genny Neutral to the Homes Neutral,,,,,,,,,Carry the homes Equipment Grounding Conductor out to the genny and bond it to its case/frame so its effectively grounded same as all other non current carrying metal enclosures.
SUMMARY
YES IT WILL WORK (subject to 2 or 3 pole see above)
BE AWARE A MALE PLUG (for plugging into that female dryer outlet) IS HOT IF THE GENNY IS RUNNING AND ON
NO ITS NOT NEC OR ANY OTHER CODE APPROVED THAT IM AWARE OF
MY PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IS TO USE SOME SORT OF LEGAL 2 POLE TRANSFER SWITCH (including a cheap slider lock out at top of panel) AND POWER THE BACKFFED BREAKER FROM YOUR GENSET WITH LEGAL SAFE METHODS/CORDS/PLUGS/CONNECTORS
DONT FORGET MY ADVICE ABOUT SEVERING THE GENNYS NEUTRAL TO CASE BOND
ONE OTHER METHOD IS A SMALL SUB PANEL TO FEED ONLY THE CRITICLA LOADS FROM THE GENSET
Okay theres my take, but I've been long retired as an electrical distribution design engineer SO NO WARRANTY but I believe this is correct or I wouldn't have posted it. BEWARE of non trained non professional (Billy Bob and Bubba who wired their house while drinking a case of beer and it still works by golly lol) or non experienced advice, consult with local authority and your utility company BE SAFE THE LIFE (or fire you prevent) YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN OR A LINEMANS
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