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Honestly, they should just mandate a 240V generator port (with a grid cutoff interlock!) on main service boxes moving forward.

Ideally, there would be some different standard connector so that the port would only work with inverter-style generators that have constant frequency / voltage as load shifts around.

Otherwise, people would end up frying appliance computets with cheap generators.

Of course, this would lead to an identical headline, but the body of the article would warn about extreme equipment damage, not imminent death.

I have to admit I am kind of curious to know what these 110V cords do in practice. Are half the outlets on the other side of the 220 pair?



Most people would complain as they don't plan on using generator and extra socket and switch is extra cost.

People needing that cable are just being cheap and not wanting to do it properly


It's $100-200 in extra parts.

California already forces people to spend $1000's on LED compatible dimmers and moisture / motion sensing switches (spoiler alert: none of these things work properly, and they all have a high first year failure rate). They also have fascination with putting power outlets in useless places.


Yes. For thing you don't use.

> California already forces people to spend $1000's on LED compatible dimmers and moisture / motion sensing switches (spoiler alert: none of these things work properly, and they all have a high first year failure rate). They also have fascination with putting power outlets in useless places.

"This stupid thing for $100 doesn't matter, we already have stupid thing for $1000" is not a great argument either.


California has a lot of electrical requirements that other states don't have... like battery backups on garage door openers.


Wow. I guess the anti-entrapment pull cord isn't enough? I wonder if you can you put in a wheelchair accessible egress door instead.


I believe it was done as a result of incidents during wildfires. People lost power, couldn't open their garage door, and died in their home. It does make sense for accessibility reasons.


I'm not sure that's cheaper than putting extra door in... certainly more after battery dies and needs to be replaced.


I think the problem was not being able to get their car out of the garage? Walking speed isn't fast enough to escape a wildfire, I guess?


No way - fire can spread at from 10-20mph.

Little-known way to save yourself, and all it takes is a match. Start a fire where you are, let it burn downwind. Follow it.

See, the fuel is burned there, and the approaching wildfire will have to go around your new dead spot!


It's much cheaper than just the material for exterior door, let alone installation. They just use cheap SLA batteries. They're about $50 more than openers without a backup.


If you are running a 110v cord you only care about the fridge, furnace, and sump pump (You might have a different list, but it is something like that). you can arrange for them all to be on the same phase.




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