How to Wire a Generator to Your House
In This Guide
Most people searching how to wire generator to house really want to know how to do it safely, because the wrong method can kill. Connecting a generator to your home's circuits requires a device that isolates your home from the utility grid, either an interlock kit or a transfer switch, and that work should be done by a licensed electrician. This guide explains the safe options, why the dangerous shortcut of backfeeding must never be used, and what the job involves.
The Two Safe Methods
| Method | How it works |
|---|---|
| Interlock kit | A sliding plate on the panel that prevents the grid and generator being on at once |
| Manual transfer switch | A separate switch that powers selected circuits from the generator |
| Automatic transfer switch | Used with standby units, switches over on its own |
All three do the same essential job: they let the generator feed your circuits while safely disconnecting your home from the grid.
Why Isolation Is the Whole Point
The reason you cannot simply plug a generator into the house is safety. A proper connection isolates your home from the utility lines, so generator power cannot flow back into the grid. That isolation protects utility workers restoring the line and prevents your generator being damaged when the grid returns.
Never Backfeed
What the Install Involves
Wiring a generator to the house means fitting an inlet box on the outside wall, running the connection to the panel, and installing the interlock or transfer switch at the panel. During an outage you then start the generator, plug it into the inlet, and flip the switch or interlock to power your circuits.
Have an Electrician Do It
Generator Service From Wildwood
Whatever generator you buy, Wildwood keeps it running. A technician comes to your driveway, services or repairs it on site, and quotes a flat rate before any work. More than 10,000 repairs since 2019, generator service from $75. Call 888-594-5516.