Generator Installation
Santa Ana wind season means more power shutoffs. Before you run a cord from your generator to your house, here's what you need to know about backfeeding, transfer switches and interlocks.
Licensed · Bonded · Insured · CA Lic. C-1098584
October 5, 2026
No, it is not safe to plug a generator into a house through a wall outlet or dryer receptacle. The only safe way to connect a generator to your home's wiring is through a transfer switch or a code-approved panel interlock installed by a licensed electrician. Plugging in directly, often called "backfeeding," can send power back onto utility lines and injure line workers. It can also damage your generator and start a fire. During Santa Ana wind season, when Southern California Edison may shut off power to reduce wildfire risk, this question comes up in almost every Antelope Valley household.
_Last updated: October 2026_
Backfeeding means pushing generator power into your house wiring through an outlet using a double-male "suicide cord." Without a transfer switch, nothing stops that power from flowing out of your panel and onto the utility lines. Your neighborhood transformer can step that voltage up to thousands of volts on the line, putting the crews working to restore power at real risk. Backfeeding is also dangerous for the people inside the house: the exposed prongs on the cord are live.
Both keep utility power and generator power separated. Which one fits depends on your panel, your generator and which circuits you want to run. Our generator installation service covers both.
Santa Ana winds typically run from fall through early spring, and SCE uses Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in high-fire-risk areas like Acton, Agua Dulce and parts of Palmdale. An outage can last hours or days. High desert winter nights also drop near freezing, with Palmdale lows averaging the low 30s°F in December and January. A home that loses power can lose heat, well pumps and refrigeration all at once. For more on outage planning, read our guide to generator installation for outages and PSPS events.
B&M Electrical Services has wired generator connections across the Antelope Valley for 30+ years as a licensed California contractor (C-1098584).
Our Services
Licensed lighting installation, panel upgrades, EV charger installation, new circuits & wiring, and troubleshooting & repairs for homes and businesses across the Antelope Valley and greater LA County.
Where We Work
Dispatched from Acton, CA, serving homes and businesses across the Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita and greater Los Angeles County.
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Brandon Rojas
I had a great experience with this electrical service. The team showed up on time, worked efficiently, and finished the job faster than I expected while still doing everything the right way. The price was very fair compared to other quotes I received, which made the whole experience even better because the quality of work was still top-notch. I also want to give a shout out to Barrett for being pr…
Loren Gibson
B&M has done a couple jobs for me in the past year, very pleased with the work. Fast, efficient, fair pricing and the work is always really clean. Definitely a returning customer.
Travis Steinbock
Barrett came out and gave me a good price on the work. They replaced my electrical panel and installed a disconnect for my AC unit. Then the next day, had a guy come out to patch up the wall and paint when the stucco dried. He also had the number of an AC technician for me to call to move a thermostat wire. Overall, great work and very communicative throughout the process.