The cheapest, but definitely not the safest

[ExCivilian]

How would reversing the flow of electrons circumvent electrical safety features in a home system?

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[GarageMahal]

How would reversing the flow of electrons circumvent electrical safety features in a home system?

Breaker is at the wrong end of the circuit and doesn't protect the wiring.

 

[ExCivilian]

Breaker is at the wrong end of the circuit and doesn't protect the wiring.

If that's a concern, how would that be different in the context of using the correct extension cord from a generator to the home?

And now that we're talking more about it I'm confused on how using a generator "reverses the flow" of electrons. They're moving the same direction they would be if the outside power was a utility company instead of the generator.

Or am I completely confused on the problem here and that the issue is people might be plugging their extension cords into a kitchen outlet, for example, the run the house during a power failure rather than running their main panel from a generator?

 

[GarageMahal]

Or am I completely confused on the problem here and that the issue is people might be plugging their extension cords into a kitchen outlet, for example, the run the house during a power failure rather than running their main panel from a generator?

^^^This^^^
A properly configured panel will not need a male to male cable

 

[GarageMahal]

And now that we're talking more about it I'm confused on how using a generator "reverses the flow" of electrons. They're moving the same direction they would be if the outside power was a utility company instead of the generator.

Actually with Alternating Current (AC) the flow is both ways all the time

 

[ExCivilian]

Actually with Alternating Current (AC) the flow is both ways all the time

That's what I originally thought and why I question what the statement "reversing the flow" of electrons even means.

A properly configured panel will not need a male to male cable

But do you know if they're referring to people plugging an extension into an outlet on the inside of the house? I don't see how using a male to male extension to connect to a main panel is any different from using a male to female extension or female to female extension.

 

[Maquis]

That's what I originally thought and why I question what the statement "reversing the flow" of electrons even means.


But do you know if they're referring to people plugging an extension into an outlet on the inside of the house? I don't see how using a male to male extension to connect to a main panel is any different from using a male to female extension or female to female extension.

1) A properly installed inlet that accepts the female end has to be properly sized to handle what the generator can deliver. The breaker on the generator will trip before a problem occurs.

2) You can buy a suicide cord that plugs into a 30A generator connection and backfeed a standard 15A home circuit, bypassing the breaker in the main panel. Backfeeding an EVSE receptacle isn’t as bad because it powers the breaker box and the branch circuits in the house are still protected by individual breakers in the panel. The only unprotected wiring is between the EVSE receptacle and the breaker panel.

I do find some humor in the fact that the CSPC implies that a suicide cord can cause CO poisoning. I guess they figure that somebody doing dangerous electrical things will also run their genny indoors!

 

[jimfigler]

The metal interlocks are cheap and effective. I had the electrician install one and a 30 amp generator plug. Unfortunately the bonded neutral issue is causing it to not work at all.

Has anyone figured out a work around to this problem?

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