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Forum Index : Windmills : Asynchronous wind genera
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| wesley lemarr Newbie  Joined: 12/01/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 2 |
I have built an Asynchronous 2.2 kw wind generator; my question is it legal for me to plug it into a 110-volt electric outlet? Thanks for your comments! |
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Gizmo Admin Group  Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5078 |
Depends on the local rules and regulations, and if its passed a safety audit for the country its to be installed in. The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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DaveP68 Senior Member  Joined: 25/11/2014 Location: New ZealandPosts: 292 |
From what I know it's not legal to back feed into an electrical outlet for safety reasons. If an electrical overload situation causes a fire and the house burns down the Insurance company will likely exercise their "universal out clause" declining coverage... So Gizmo is correct in saying depends on local rules and regulations etc. There are realities if you do not accept, will lead to frustration because you will be spending time on wrong assumptions and the results cannot follow! The Dunning Kruger Effect :) |
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oztules Guru  Joined: 26/07/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1686 |
In a lot of countries, it will be very illegal, in some countries, anything goes. Local laws will be required to answer sensibly. In some countries it may well be not illegal to connect to your own home off grid if you use decent low frequency inverters... That would be the only time I would consider it myself, and then as a interesting experimental set up only. ..........oztules Village idiot...or... just another hack out of his depth |
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| kitestrings Senior Member Joined: 23/04/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 102 |
Where we live (VT) there's a net metering rule; PSB Rule 5.100. Many states have similar framework, though the credits and fees vary a lot. Here a system must meet an IEEE (1547 IIRC) standard for anti-islanding, use UL rated components and be installed by a licensed installer per NEC code. A home-built might have trouble, but if you had an inverter that met the standard that would be a good first step I would think. You may want to research your area. ~ks |
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| Warpspeed Guru Joined: 09/08/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 4406 |
There are serious electrical safety issues involved here. It would be nice to think that if the power to a whole street is switched off at the source, the entire circuit will be dead and safe to perform major maintenance on. Some very careful and experienced electrical linesman will check that the circuit is indeed not alive before commencing any work. While he is working away, someone decides to fire up their solar/wind/hydro and feed power back into the system which could be a pretty lethal surprise. ALL fully approved equipment shuts down when the grid shuts down for safety reasons. A Mickey Mouse (non approved) home built system connected into the power distribution system capable of back feeding power would be illegal just about everywhere. And its not just power utility linemen. The Fire Brigade have had their problems too. The first thing they will do when they reach a burning building is turn off the power at the main switch before they start spraying water all over the place and enter a building. Its not unknown for fire fighters to be electrocuted by UPS and power backup electrical systems. Its definitely not a job for the feint hearted. But if someone dies because of your system, the Coroner might have quite a few words to say.... So its not just a bunch of silly rules imposed by overpaid bureaucrats. There are very real and practical reasons for equipment and installation approvals. Cheers, Tony. |
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| DaveP68 Senior Member Joined: 25/11/2014 Location: New ZealandPosts: 292 |
With no disrespect to wesley lemarr asking about an Asynchronous 2.2 kw wind generator into a 110-volt electric outlet, I think Tony has covered it off well. Don't think I can add anything more to what has already been stated by all. There are realities if you do not accept, will lead to frustration because you will be spending time on wrong assumptions and the results cannot follow! The Dunning Kruger Effect :) |
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