Originally Posted By: Dan_McI
I think that in most places the generator will not be able to have a load put on it, when it is cranked up for only a scheduled exercise. If you put a load on it, the load would need to be for providing power to something off the grid. Anything else risks running power back into the grid, which I something I am sure that the power companies do not want to happen if it's not within their power to manage.


Mostly that's for safety, so you don't energize a line that's being worked on. I'm surprised you don't have an isolation switch -- that's mandatory under Code up here.

I think a generator should be tested under load. It's easy enough to unplug your refrigerator and air conditioner from the grid, connect them to a 12 gauge cord, and plug directly to the genny. Otherwise, how do you know what you really have?

My 0.02