How to Hook Up a Portable Generator to the Home Through a Double-Sided Extension Cord
- 1). Turn off the power to your home at the main circuit breaker box. The main switch will be located at the top of the panel. Turn the switch to "Off" -- leaving it on will allow power to flow back into the grid and could injure lineman working in your area.
- 2). Place the generator outside, five to 10 feet away from your home. This will prevent carbon monoxide fumes from entering the home.
- 3). Plug one end of a heavy-duty extension cord into the generator's outlet. Plug the other end of the cord into a wall outlet in your home.
- 4). Switch off all the individual circuit breakers in your home, with the exception of the one controlling the outlet into which you've plugged the extension cord.
- 5). Start the generator. Turn on the circuit breakers, one at a time, to the rooms in which you want power.
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