Important advice on isolating your generator

When there is a power cut you may wish to use your generator to provide power while the line is being fixed.

REMEMBER: Your generator MUST be isolated from the mains supply for safety and efficiency.  Otherwise, power can back-feed along the lines and you could electrocute the poor chap down the line trying to fix the mains supply, or even give a nasty shock to your neighbours.

So, make sure a manual transfer switch is installed by a qualified electrician. This is fitted between the meter and the consumer unit, connecting the building, and you plug your lead from the generator into an inlet connector. 

 

N.B. You will also have to have an RCD (Residual Current Device) fitted if you don’t have one already. This is a safety device built into consumer units in many buildings. Your generator will need modifying to utilise this. Again, a qualified electrician will need to do this.F

Finally, a low impedance earth spike will also need to be installed.

This is a viable and useful way of providing backup power and gives you the flexibility to use the generator for other purposes, since it is not permanent. 

HOWEVER. As a general note, DO NOT attempt any of this without, at the very least, a long talk with a qualified electrician. It will be worth it, and is essential for safety.