Return to Home Generator Installation

Note: The original site for this page is no longer available.
I've edited the html code for the pictures to load from my site. Otherwise it is as original.
The person claims to have consulted with a licensed electrical contractor and was instructed on the wiring and installation of this disaster waiting to happen! He was also informed that the neutral wire was not needed as he was not powering any 240VAC appliances. This is exactly opposite to what is needed. Neutral is essential for all 120V appliances.
Please do not use this an an example of how to install your generator. It is wrong and very dangerous!


Here's how I wired my generator into my house's breaker box.

*Note - I can only attest that this worked in my house and I highly recommend that you have a licensed electrician do this wiring/installation for you.  If it does not work for you or you damage your generator, shock/electrocute yourself or anything else that you may want to blame on me, you have been warned.  I am not responsible.  If want someone accountable (who really knows what they are doing) to install it, do like I  said earlier - call a local licensed electrician.

Step 1:

Buy a Generator.  I purchased a Troy-Bilt Model 01919 which produces 5550 Continuous Watts and 8550 Starting Watts.  It also has a 5 gallon gas tank which provides for 11 hours runtime under full load.  Here's mine:

Step 2:

Since Lowe's was out of the NEMA L14-30 plug, I used the cord that came with the generator and just cut the other end off.

Here's the NEMA L14-30 plug:

At the other end, I took a Double Pole 30 Amp breaker (which cost about $8.00) and wired the black to one pole and the red to the other.  I capped the White Neutral (since my neighbor who helped me was having problems tripping the breaker on his generator when it was connected) and connected the Green Ground to the Ground Bar in the Breaker Box.  I then  snapped the new breaker in with it set to off, switched off my Main Breaker (so I wouldn't fry my new $700 toy when the power came back on) and started the Generator.  After the Generator was warm and the engine sounded steady, I flipped the breaker I installed to the on position and VOILA!

I was able to run the Heat, Refrigerator, Indoor Lights, 36" Sony Vega XBR TV, Cable Box, Ceiling Fan and Outdoor Lights with no apparent strain on the generator.

I do plan on re-doing how I had it installed to allow for a quicker cutover and a little more professional look.  I'll post it when done..