Generators - Backfeeding - 120V

[tsteahr]

Could get a little warm if it was all going thru a 15 amp 14 ga shared circuit.

But I agree, that would not be very likely, that his entire draw would be thru 2 circuits.

JB

I did not know 110v circuits shared neutral returning to the service panel. Each 110v circuit in my house has its own neutral. I don't have any 110 circuits that share neutrals returning back to the main panel. The individual neutrals all tie back together to the common service neutral at the service panel. So I'm not sure how you could overload any of the 110v circuit neutrals.

 

[aczlan]

I did not know 110v circuits shared neutral returning to the service panel. Each 110v circuit in my house has its own neutral. I don't have any 110 circuits that share neutrals returning back to the main panel. The individual neutrals all tie back together to the common service neutral at the service panel. So I'm not sure how you could overload any of the 110v circuit neutrals.

This is more of an issue with a house like our current one which is wired in conduit and share neutrals between circuits.

Aaron Z

 

[tsteahr]

This is more of an issue with a house like our current one which is wired in conduit and share neutrals between circuits.

Aaron Z

Interesting. I never knew that existed. Your earlier observation makes perfect sense now.

 

[JB4310]

This is more of an issue with a house like our current one which is wired in conduit and share neutrals between circuits.

Aaron Z

Not just conduit, that's what 12-3 and 14-3 is/ was used for in our house, besides operating a light from 2 locations, or a small 220V ac outlet.

Not sure if it's still code, but my house was partly rewired and had a service upgrade and complete kitchen remodel and that's how some of the circuits were wired and this was all inspected and passed in 2003.

JB

 

[grsthegreat]

Not just conduit, that's what 12-3 and 14-3 is/ was used for in our house, besides operating a light from 2 locations, or a small 220V ac outlet.

Not sure if it's still code, but my house was partly rewired and had a service upgrade and complete kitchen remodel and that's how some of the circuits were wired and this was all inspected and passed in 2003.

JB

Its not illegal to share a neutral, its done all the time. Just not by me :laughing:. I had a job years ago where the neutral had dropped out and the circuits were surged with 220. All the lights glowed like the surface of the moon and the refer was destroyed. My insurance paid for the repairs, and i never wired another shared neutral system after that.

 

[Scooby074]

I did not know 110v circuits shared neutral returning to the service panel. Each 110v circuit in my house has its own neutral. I don't have any 110 circuits that share neutrals returning back to the main panel. The individual neutrals all tie back together to the common service neutral at the service panel. So I'm not sure how you could overload any of the 110v circuit neutrals.

Multiwire branch circuit.

To the OP, you dont have a grounding in the fundamentals. This is why code exists and "frankenwiring" is illegal... and dangerous.

Hire an electrician and do it right.

 

[sparc]

Why all this "I would never do it but you could do ..."
or the non-code hookups that are sure to kill or injure someone?

What if you could power any circuit in your home from your generator w/o ANY wiring changes, suicide cords, etc. Just a simple plug-n-power setup.
Would you consider it? And, what if you could easily take it with you if you move. With a transfer switch you get to leave all that equipment behind for the next guy. Maybe you'll recoup its cost in the home sale, maybe not.

Look at the Generlink. It mounts bewteen your meter and the meter socket. You plug a single cord from your generator into the Generlink, and fire up your generator. You can now power any circuit in your home within the capacity of your generator. All you have to do is manager the loads by which circuits you turn on.

Simple, safe, and easy. No guesswork, no rube goldberg wiring, no depending on someones memory to protect you from being electrocuted, and no chance of killing a lineman a mile away trying to restore power to the neighborhood whihc could end up with you in court facing charges.

It's a no brainer to me.

 

[JB4310]

Why all this "I would never do it but you could do ..."
or the non-code hookups that are sure to kill or injure someone?

What if you could power any circuit in your home from your generator w/o ANY wiring changes, suicide cords, etc. Just a simple plug-n-power setup.
Would you consider it? And, what if you could easily take it with you if you move. With a transfer switch you get to leave all that equipment behind for the next guy. Maybe you'll recoup its cost in the home sale, maybe not.

Look at the Generlink. It mounts bewteen your meter and the meter socket. You plug a single cord from your generator into the Generlink, and fire up your generator. You can now power any circuit in your home within the capacity of your generator. All you have to do is manager the loads by which circuits you turn on.

Simple, safe, and easy. No guesswork, no rube goldberg wiring, no depending on someones memory to protect you from being electrocuted.

It's a no brainer to me.

I've heard about this and I agree it sounds like a great idea. But I THINK it's only available thru the utility companies that participate in that approach.

I have not heard of it being available from our utility company.

JB

 

[gpflepsen]

There's a thin line between Macgruber and Macgyver. It all depends how you skate it.

 

[tommu56]

Now, I may be able to swap around some breakers to try and move some to the powered leg but this still might not work as I have NO room for expansion in the CB panel. Hence why I can't put in another line, breaker....blah...blah, etc.

What panel do you have putting some tandem brakers might give some space for the interlock plate.

I just need to know if I can power both legs of 120V to get 120V at outlets and light fixtures.


The problem with this is you MIGHT over load the neutral if you have any outlets that are fed by 2 separate circuits and common neutral.

Post a picture of the panel some of us electricians might have a better thought if we can see it. label the beakers in MS paint or something so we can see the loads.

tom