running house on generator

would turning off the mains switch isolate the power

A generator providing emergency power must satisfy various State electricity supply requirements including having a permanently mounted changeover switch able to isolate between the mains supply and any "emergency" supply. Even though it is considered unsafe, you would find in most cases that the generator circuit breakers will more than likely trip immediately if someone just wired the generator into the household system illegally as any load in the power system eg. next door neighbours power supply, would be connected also.

From memory, emergency supplies are limited to 15A (3.6kVA) before permanent wiring methods are required.

It is absolutely stupid for anyone to suggest that two male plugs on a lead is safe!

Andrew

And the change over switch aint cheap ! It has to be a special type that 'breaks' all house lines before 'making' the generator lines (and vice-versa).

As for the male plug sugestion ! Just think of it like parking in a tow zone at peak hour, DON'T, or it will cost you big time and perhaps even face very serious charges.

tow zone?...peak hour?.....

you must get out of the big smoke more :-)

Andrew

Hi Andrew ( from Malmeck). Yep, I retire permanantly in six weeks. Had a good job for many years, I was bribed to join the company when I started and after many years service bribed to leave ! Some bean counter called it restructuring, I call it a lottery win! Going to throw away all my 'official' trade licences (so no one can ask me to do work for them) and just keep the vehicle, airplane and fishing ones. Already fully planned two trips of about 5,000 km each from Perth and Adelaide next year. Met another guy from this forum last week over here (NZ) from Brisbane for a Golden Oldie rugby tournament, he has a camper and it is snowing where he is at the moment! Can't wait to come over for some sun.

Lucky b@stard :-)

The snow's a bit soft in North Queensland at the moment.......

Don't forget to spend some time in working out the fishing rules in each State......very confusing when travelling.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew, I know about speeds etc. but had not thought about fishing rules.

Thats what I told him, I told him you could buy leads with to male sockets it comes in a suicide kit.

thank God - I am having heart palpitations at the thought that he might be making this puppy.

I had - I mean have thank god - a good friend who accidentally made up a very long cord with two males ... was working on the tennis court down the back ... rolled out the cord running it through his cupped hand until he got to the end of the cord and began frying himself - burning his hand to bits and bouncing him around like you wouldn't believe.

Quick thinking wife saw her lights doing stupid things and wondered what was going on and pulled the cord - the only reason he is alive today.

Even if you play safe with such a thing some unthinking progeny or relative of yours is likely not to know anything about it and end up fried.

Just so there is no confusion, the reply was directed at crewser, not cruiser.

My sincere apologies to Crewser and Cruiser. I always was a good speller and it is hard to spell incorrectly even when I have too.
Sorry,
Steve

No problem Phantom.

I only made the comment because I have noticed of late that there have been some variations on the same names on this forum and I didnt want any confusion in this case or in the future.

geez mate, some of my neigbours think that is the only advice. I'd agree with you though!

Damn, I bought my Nissan on "good advice" from a bloke at the pub, did I do the wrong thing ???

Pezza

I'm not sure what you are saying.....i just hope it isn't implying that it could be done or that caravans have a different plug arrangement.

Andrew

Well it does work ,its just the 2 male ended extension lead is dangerous.
Caravans have a male plug on the outside so you can plug the lead and electrify the circuitry.
Its not an uncommon thing to be done when the power has been off all day after a cylcone or some other catastrophe.
And I dont recommend it for the record;)

Yep, you are right....it is far far better to save some food in an insulated fridge than kill yourself and/or your family by doing something stupid

Andrew