Back feeding a vacant home

[Doug Edwards]

Originally Posted by fmagdefrau

Try and understand that you were contacted by a sub-contractor who is contracting for the actual contractor who was awarded a $15,000,000 or more contract from HUD a couple of months ago. If you were to take that job then you would be a sub for a sub who subs. This is why the offer sucked so bad.

If you would have been contacted by one of the actual contractors (which would likely have never happened) then you would have considered the offer in more detail. Like I said before, there is a huge difference. You would be really surprised with the earning potential.

Frank, I understand that (got it the first time). Thanks for clearing it up earlier. I was simply stating there are other organizations out there trying to hook up with unsuspecting and perhaps newbie inspectors who may be needing work and point out some of the pitfalls to doing this amount of work for such a small percentage of the money being made at the top of the pyramid. Their offer of $40 is a far cry from the $130 someone else was being offered. Just pointing out the huge disparity. In the end, anyone can do whatever the hell they want, it isn't up to me or you how someone runs their business. They can go do them for free just to get the experience for all I care.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

A Proper transfer switch required for stand by power .

http://www.electrical-online.com/gen...sferswitch.htm

[Frank Magdefrau]

[quote=tspargo;684942]

Originally Posted by fmagdefrau

Clearly there is allot you don't understand about using portable generators to perform system checks and if you were ever to do this (doubt it) I would recommend that you hire a electrician who can train you and rig the proper generator cords up for you.

I've wired entire homes before... been an IBEW local 40 "permit" a few times.. I think I can figure out how to wire a gene into a house or not....

I hope others are as concerned and careful as you are. Thanks![/quote]

Clearly, I neither condone the use of male to male plugs to back feed electrical panels, nor do I think "testing" AC units with portable power is a very good idea either.. if you have equipment large enough to power 5-6 ton units... cool. A "system check" is one thing... powering large appliances is quite another.

The other part of my point is a risk vs reward, that I don't think an electrician would help me much with.

Not sure how much "rigging" can be done beyond that of:

* Back feeding thru an existing 220V outlet (dryer/welder if you're lucky)
* Installing an OCPD directly to panel once the main is shut off, preventing a back feed to the utility side
* Creating a splice at the AC disconnect itself <-- 80% rule gets ya in trouble there.

.

I doubt you would either Tim and that is a good thing that you know your limits. I was only bringing this subject up to help educate the members who have been offered to perform these inspections.

To my knowlede there is no Portable Generator that can run a 6 ton a/c unit and I have never seen one personally. However we have come across a 5 ton or two. A 17500 watt portable generator can and will handle it.. Make sure you know what you are doing.

[Tim Spargo]

Cool Frank!