How To Connect Portable Generator To House Without Transfer Switch

When my husband decided to get a new portable generator, I, for one, breathed in relief. He’d finally outgrown the old one in the house.

Little did I know that the troubles were just starting. The next day, when he went to hook it up to the house mains, he realized that he had forgotten to get a transfer switch. This is an essential piece of equipment needed to connect a generator to the house, and as usual, he had missed getting it.

Needless to say, I was more than a little frustrated. Thankfully, unlike his father, my son is a pretty resourceful guy and immediately looked up how to connect portable generator to house without transfer switch.

Howdy, folks! I’m Stacy Smith, and today I’m here to explain the entire process of connecting a generator without a transfer switch. The process is relatively easy, and I picked it up quickly; hopefully, so will you.

Let’s begin.

Connecting Portable Generators Without A Transfer Switch

The Prerequisites

When dealing with electricity, safety should always be the first thing on your mind. That’s why you need to be ready with the right tools for the job. Once you’re sure that you’ve got all the safety measures in place, that’s half the battle won already.

That’s why, for connecting a generator to the house without a transfer switch, you need to have the following equipment handy.

1. Interlock Kit

The very first thing you’re going to need is an interlock kit. This piece of equipment will help you connect the generator without a transfer switch. Just be careful that you get one that matches the model of your generator, and you’ll be good to go.

2. Breaker

When selecting the breaker, you need to ensure that its specifications exactly match that of your generator and also meet the power requirements of your house. In general, most generator models should work with a 30 Amp two-pole double breaker.

3. Wires

You can’t connect a generator without wires, and this holds true for the current process as well. Of course, the length of wire you’ll need depends on the area of your property, but I recommend at least 10 feet of 10 gauge wires.

Also, be sure to select wires of different colors when making the connections. This will allow you to identify the purpose of each and make the connections accordingly.

4. Tools

Finally, make sure you have a drill, a wrench, a pair of pliers, and a screwdriver handy. These are the essentials that you’d need. And yes, for safety purposes, make sure to wear a durable pair of work gloves, protective goggles, and non-conductive work boots.

Once you’ve got hold of all of these, move on to the actual steps for getting the job done.

The Steps Explained

1. Inspect Plug Type And Amperage

The first thing you’ll want to do is figure out your generator’s plug type and align it with the amperage. Usually, a round-plug generator is the best for this purpose and needs to fit both sides of the breaker. You’ll also find the corresponding amperage codes on the plug.

2. Drilling The Entry Hole

The next step is slightly noisy, and I recommend that you exercise caution while carrying it out. Here, you need to take a drill and drive a hole through any suitable wall of your house. This hole will serve as the entry point of the wires from your generator.

When making the hole, take care of the diameter, since this needs to be large enough to accommodate all the wires traveling from the generator to your house. You should also adjust the placement of the hole such that the generator remains at a distance from your home. Otherwise, you’ll be disturbed by its noise.

3. Mounting The Power Inlet Box

In this step, you need to mount the power inlet box on your house’s exterior wall. This box should be at least three to four feet from the hole you drilled in the previous step.

Now, get a wire conduit and assemble it well, using glue to hold it all together safely. At this point, it’s best if you check whether the arrangement is watertight. You don’t need me to tell you that water and electricity isn’t exactly a match made in heaven.

4. Wiring The Generator Inlet Plug

Now, you need to wire the generator inlet plug. For doing so, pull one wire at a time from the conduit body, and fix each to the generator inlet plug. Then, tighten the ends well using a screwdriver.

5. Prepping The Breaker Box

Finally, prepare the breaker box by carefully pushing all the wires inside. While doing so, make sure to turn off the main breakers and branch out the wires correctly. It’s best if you place the wires on the upper right spot, as this will give you enough room to install the wires and the breaker retainer. Finally, complete the process by covering the breaker box.

Final Words

With that out of the way, you now know the method for connecting a portable generator to your house without using a transfer switch. However, I suggest you hold your horses, as there’s something else I need to warn you about.

In most states, you’re required by law to have a transfer switch for using a generator. This is recommended since a transfer switch ensures a safe and secure transfer of power from the utility supply to the generator.

Without the use of a transfer switch, you might just be inviting electrical fires and related hazards. So, make sure that you use the above process only as a last resort, and install a transfer switch ASAP. This is essential for the safety of your family. If you're wondering what generators I recommend buying, check out our list of best 12000 W portable generators.

And with that, I’ll take your leave. Till next time!