Emergency Power

[762xIan]

The main danger is feeding the power grid that could injure line workers, but you already mentioned you would kill the main breaker to prevent that.

Doing this does NOT take the place of installing a transfer switch and the safety it provides. True, the 2 "hot" lines going to your house are connected to the main. You open the main and you are disconnected from the grid and all is OK right?

Unfortunately this is wrong, many people forget about the neutral. If there is a ground or if something is miswired on your end, the potential exists to send voltage back to the grid and fry a lineman through the neutral.

[Bimmer]

Doing this does NOT take the place of installing a transfer switch and the safety it provides. True, the 2 "hot" lines going to your house are connected to the main. You open the main and you are disconnected from the grid and all is OK right?

Unfortunately this is wrong, many people forget about the neutral. If there is a ground or if something is miswired on your end, the potential exists to send voltage back to the grid and fry a lineman through the neutral.

You're right. I gave up this idea.

I set up my generator totally independently of the household wiring. I put a grounding rod in my yard, and I'm running extension cords and power strips in case of emergency.

Bimmer