Back Feeding dryer plug

[bobelectric]

A question came up about the d.i.y. backfeeding a dryer plug from a genny,no transfer switch. What is your protocal doing repairs if you detect a backfeed?

[topgroove]

Either pull the meter or cut the service clear. We usually call a supervisor so they can send a consumer rep over and explain how dangerous the situation is.

[Pootnaigle]

If they have a main trip it and then remove meter.If not remove meter and explain the hazards to cust.No one home cut it at the Pekkerhead.Most dryer circuits are on a 30 amp breaker which when fed backwards becomes the main.

[Trojan]

You would think someone who figured out how to liven the house thru a 30amp plug would open the main or the meter but then again, a LITTLE knowledge is a dangerous thing.

[busman]

There is a sneaky hazard with generators, even with a proper transfer switch installed. If the transfer switch only switches some of the building circuits, it's possible for there to be a backfeed in the building wiring that will bypass the transfer switch. I got lit-up by one of these once while moving a few circuits between the main and generator panels. I had a piece of Romex out of the main panel and was moving it to the generator panel and it had tested dead. A few minutes later, I got shocked. It turns out the homeowner had flipped the switch for the disposal and that completed a backfeed to this lighting circuit.

Just wanted to point out that even if an electrician installs a transfer switch correctly (unless it transfers the entire service) and checks for backfeeds, that doesn't completely rule them out, and that they can appear at any time, not just when the generator starts up and transfers.

Mark

[duckhunter]

A question came up about the d.i.y. backfeeding a dryer plug from a genny,no transfer switch. What is your protocal doing repairs if you detect a backfeed?

I may be incorrect in assuming that this was a result of the Hurricane Irene. If so, we would be more tolerant in how we dealt with the member. If this was not, we would pull the meter and require the authority that performs electrical inspections to inspect before we re-energize the service.

[hotwiretamer]

I would think a physical open would be your best bet. Pull the meter,cut it at weatherhead or cut it at the pole.

[Highplains Drifter]

I feel good work practices would be to automatically open the main before reinstalling a house service. I have not seen one yet but I am hearing the new propane fired generators are completely silent.