If you’re thinking about a portable generator to help you through power outages, make sure you know how to safely connect it and run your appliances. It might be tempting to plug a generator into a wall outlet at home because it’s physically easy and online forums say you can. But what those forums don’t say is that it’s also illegal and dangerous. Not only that, but it could also lead to criminal prosecution and cause damage to your home and your new generator. In this post, we explain what can go wrong and the mistakes to avoid when connecting your generator. We also share 5 safe (and legal!) tips to use a generator to power your home.

Can you plug a generator into a wall outlet in your home?

The answer is no you can not plug a traditional generator outlet into a wall outlet in your home. At least not in Australia.

By ‘traditional generator’ we mean fuel-based generators – diesel, gasoline, petrol generators.

You may be looking at buying a generator to power your whole house in a blackout, and thinking you can just plug it into the wall and feed the power in that way.

While it’s possible to plug a traditional home generator in this way, it’s also illegal. And it’s dangerous for your neighbours and electrical line workers.

Doing so cab also cause permanent damage to your home or portable generator, such as a house fire or electrical damage. If damage occurs, you’re unlikely to be covered by insurance.

There are better ways to safely hook up a portable fuel generator to power your home during extended outages. In this post we’re going to show you how. Even if you can’t afford the cost of a permanent connection.

One exception

The only exception to this rule is solar powered generators.

Also known as portable power stations, solar generators can be safely and legally plugged into a wall outlet. But not to run your home appliances.

Portable power stations are plugged in to a wall outlet to charge their battery. If you want to run your home with a portable power station, you still have to connect it legally through your power board.

Why not to plug a generator into a wall outlet?

It’s Illegal in many places

It may be tempting. Because the act of plugging the generator into a wall socket is easy. But you may also be breaking the law or electricity codes in your area.

In Australia the electrical connection of a portable generator is governed by electrical standard AS/NZS 3010:2017 Electrical installations – Generating sets. This standard sets the rules for how a portable generator must be safely connected to the power grid. It does not cover connection via a wall outlet.

Think about it.

Plugging a portable generator into a wall socket is the same as plugging it into the power lines in front of your home. Your home’s electrical system and the main power lines are connected.

A generator produces power so it’s treated differently than plugging in an appliance. Appliances only use power.

If you plug a generator into a wall outlet during a power outage, the generator will supply power into the electrical wires in your home. Without proper power management, this power can flow through your main panel back into the power grid.

Unmanaged reverse power flow into the grid can cause a bunch of problems. We explain them below.

2 mistakes to avoid when using generator power at home

Online forums are full of advice about how to ‘get around’ electrical standards. But following this advice is a bad idea for your family’s safety and your hip pocket. Here are two ideas you may find on forums and must avoid:

1. Modifying plugs so you can plug a generator into a power outlet, or any part of the electricity network.
2. Using suicide leads. Suicide leads are illegally manufactured power leads. They connect a portable generator to your home’s wiring. Both ends of the leads are exposed (so you can plug them both in). Touching one can risk electrical shock.

What can happen if you plug a generator outlet into a wall socket?

Back-feeding into the power grid

Back-feeding is when a generator is connected to your home’s electrical wiring system without firrst disconnecting your home from the electrical grid. An example of this is plugging a generator into a wall outlet directly with a male plug.

Your home is supplied with electricity from the power network. The electricity goes through a circuit breaker in your house and is distributed to appliances, lighting, and outlets.

Back-feeding causes the electricity in your home to flow in reverse.

The generator power moves backward to your main panel. It is then redistributed throughout your house. If the main breaker panel is not shut off, power back-feeds to the power lines outside your home.

There is one important rule of thumb when using your portable generator at home. Always keep a generator separate from the electrical system that is connected to the power grid.

Back-feeding increases the risk of electrical shock

Back-feeding increases the danger of electric shock.

Unmanaged reverse power flow is an extremely dangerous. It’s a potentially deadly electrocution hazard for power line workers, your neighbours. Especially in case of fallen powerlines. In these situations, if you are found responsible for injury or death, you could be criminally prosecuted.

Permanent damage to your home and generator

You can also cause electrical damage if you plug a generator into a wall outlet. Excessive heating from the generator output can cause long-term damage to the wiring in your house. Using back-feeding to restore power to your home in a blackout can throw electrical loads out of balance.

Unbalanced electrical loads can cause overheating of electrical components. And it can overloading your electrical panel. It may also put extra strain on your generator.

In addition, if grid power is restored while your portable generator is feeding electricity back into your home’s electrical system, this may severely damage the generator.

It’s a fire hazard

A house fire could also result from an overloaded electrical system, just as it does with other electrical issues.

Insurance may not cover any damages

Where the generator is connected to an electrical outlet against the law, your home insurance will not cover any damage caused by its use. You will be responsible for all electrical repairs and fire damage mitigation.

So what should you do instead of plugging into a wall outlet? Let’s look at better, safer options.

Connecting a portable generator to a home

There are two ways to connect a portable generator to your home

1. Installing a transfer switch
2. Directly connecting your appliances via extension cords.

Installing a transfer switch

The best way to connect a generator to your home is to use a transfer switch. This will allow you to safely connect the generator to the circuits you need to power. While keeping the generator isolated from the rest of the house and power grid.

A transfer switch is a device that is used to transfer an electrical load between two sources. In this case the sources are the generator and the power grid.

In a power outage, the transfer switch will “transfer” the power from the main circuit to the generator circuit, so the generator can power the home’s electrical items.

The transfer switch is installed between the main circuit breaker and the generator. It is typically wired into a permanently installed standby generator. It allows the generator to quickly power up the home’s electrical system in an emergency.

Transfer switches must be installed by licensed electricians under Australian electricity codes and standards.

How does a transfer switch work?

Automatic transfer switch

When the power goes out, automatic transfer switches ensure your backup generator kicks on – and keeps vital systems running until power is restored. Here’s how it works:

Your transfer switch is hardwired to your electrical panel. When it senses a power outage, it signals the generator to start up. It also switches the circuits in your electrical panel from utility power to generator power. That way, you can keep important appliances – like lighting, refrigeration and security systems – running without disruption.

When utility power comes back on, the transfer switch switches things back. So you can disconnect the generator and save fuel.

Automatic transfer switches make sure you have power when you need it most – with no manual switching required on your part. But they are more complex to wire and more expensive to install than manual transfer switches.

Manual transfer switch

Manual transfer switches are installed between the main power supply and the electrical panel. They have two sets of input connections. One set of connections is for the main power supply (the power grid), and the other set is for the backup power source.

In the event of a power outage, you must manually flip the transfer switch.

This will disconnect the main power supply and connect the backup power source. It’s only once you flip the switch that your home electrical panel will get power from your generator.

The main power supply is disconnected when this happens. Because it’s not automatic, you do experience a temporary power outage. A manual transfer switch can be less expensive to install.

Whichever type you chose, get professional advice from qualified electricians who can connect a generator according to the relevant Australian standards.

How to hook up a generator to your house without a transfer switch?

If you don’t have a transfer switch installed, you can still safely connect your portable generator power to your home appliances. It just won’t be directly connected to your home’s electrical system.

Instead, you use a heavy-duty extension cord that runs from the generator outlet directly into the appliance you want to run.

Your generator must always be located outdoors away from windows, so the extension cord must also be outdoor rated.

5 Tips for using a portable generator correctly

1. Read the instruction manual! If you don’t, you’ll likely miss critical safety information.
2. Ensure all leads and power boards are in good working order e.g. no damage to plug tops or exposed wiring.
3. Use a long extension cord with 10 to 12 gauge wire that is designed for outdoor use and has a wattage rating that is greater than the wattage of what you’re connecting.
4. Keep away from water to prevent water damage.
5. Before connecting your generators to any appliances, be sure they are all switched off.
6. To avoid overload, turn on one appliance at a time when connecting to your generator.

Here are more great tips about in home generators that you should know before you buy. And if you have any questions, ask a qualified electrician for help.

Conclusion

While it may be tempting to try and save a few bucks by plugging your generator into an electrical outlet in your home, it’s illegal and potentially dangerous. There are better, safer ways to power your home during an extended outage. Such as connecting via a transfer switch, plugging appliances into the generator or even using a portable power station. We hope this post has helped provide some guidance on how you can safely set up your generator so you’re prepared for the next power outage.