As we live in a remote country area and suffer the occasional
power-cut, we are toying with the idea of getting a portable generator
to power the essentials at such times, especially as the predictions
going around ATM don't inspire confidence for the future. The one
we're thinking about is the Wolf 230V/2000W model (I assume AC), from
Screwfix. Probably not cost-effective, but at least it'll keep the gas
c/h, TV, lighting and freezers going. But before we splash out, I have
some questions.

We have a TT system with a 100A/100mA time delayed RCD at the 'front
end', and a split-load CU with MCB's and a 30mA RCD on one half. Is it
acceptable simply to run a cable from the generator to any socket in
the house on one of the ring mains for example, to in effect power the
whole house? Presumably the front-end RCD would need to be switched
off before connecting the generator, both to avoid powering the
neighbourhood (!) and to avoid nasty things happening when the mains
power comes back on. Or do I have to power items individually and
directly, independent of the house wiring, using a network of
extension leads?

If it's acceptable to connect the generator that way, the MCB on the
ring connected to the generator would be powered 'backwards' as it
were, IYSWIM, but the remaining MCB's would still be in 'forward'
mode. Is this OK?

Do RCD's work 'backwards' ? (The power from the house lights would run
from the RCD side back through the RCD to the lighting MCB).

I assume it's a good idea to isolate the high-power items such as the
cooker and the immersion heater, to avoid accidental use and overload
of the generator, although an appropriate fuse in the linking cable
from the generator would probably do just as well.

What happens to the earthing arrangements when using a portable
generator in this way? As I said, we have a TT system with local earth
rods. Do I have to rig up some sort of earth for the generator, or do
I just ignore it, running the system as what I believe is called on
the FAQ an IT system? Do the terms 'live' and 'neutral' have any
significance when using such a generator?

Is there anything that it's best not to power from a generator, such
as a computer or other electronic equipment (but what hasn't got
electronic circuits in it these days?), or fluorescent lights?


--
Chris

E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net