Quick answer
Yes, and it is not optional. Running a generator without a proper changeover switch risks back-feeding the grid, which can kill the municipal workers repairing the line you are feeding into. It also destroys the generator when grid power returns and the two supplies collide. Manual or automatic changeover is a legal and safety requirement, and it must be certified.
What you can do now
- 1Never connect a generator to the house wiring through a plug or an improvised lead
- 2Decide between manual and automatic changeover based on whether anyone is home to switch it
- 3Size the changeover and the generator to the essential circuits, not the whole board
- 4Plan a ventilated outdoor position — generator exhaust is carbon monoxide
- 5Budget for the Electrical COC as part of the installation, not as an extra
When to call a professional
Have a changeover switch installed by a registered electrician before you connect any generator to the house, and get the Electrical COC for the work. Back-feeding is genuinely lethal to line workers and it will also void your insurance in the event of a fire. The installation should include correct earthing for the generator, which is frequently overlooked.
Typical cost in Johannesburg
Manual changeover R6,500 · Auto R12,000–R18,000
Indicative ranges only. We provide written, itemised quotes before any work.
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