Testing Your Interlock Setup (a Calm Dry Run)
Last verified: September 2026
A relaxed daylight practice run is what makes a real outage calm. Here's how to rehearse the whole interlock sequence, what to check, and when to stop and call the electrician. Questions? (330) 200-8042.
Testing Your Interlock Setup, at a Glance
The best time to learn your interlock is a calm afternoon with the lights on. A daylight dry run walks the whole real sequence — generator outside, connect, main off, slide the plate, generator breaker on, bring up a circuit — then reverses it. As you go, check the plate slides smoothly, the inlet and cord are sound, and your CO alarms work. If the plate binds or a breaker won't hold, stop and call your electrician. There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 How often should I test my interlock setup?
Do a dry run soon after installation, then twice a year — spring and fall land right before the hard seasons. It doubles as your seasonal maintenance test.
2 What exactly do I do in a dry run?
Walk the whole real sequence in daylight: generator outside, connect, main off, slide the plate, generator breaker on, bring up a circuit, then reverse it and shut down. Check the plate, cord, and CO alarms as you go.
3 What if the plate binds or a breaker won't hold?
Stop and call your electrician — don't force anything. A plate should slide smoothly with the main off; if it doesn't, have the pro look. See our troubleshooting guide.
4 Should anyone else practice it?
Yes — anyone who might operate it during an outage should do a daylight run at least once, so no one is reading the steps for the first time in the dark.
5 Do I really run the generator for a test?
Yes, so it still goes outdoors only, well away from the house, exhaust pointed away. A dry run is also the perfect time to confirm your CO alarms work.
6 What should I check on the outdoor parts?
Inspect the cord end to end for cuts or cracks, confirm the inlet cover seals and is clear, and make sure the cord reaches with slack. See our inlet-box-and-cord guide.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
A calm first run with a patient person beside you is exactly the kind of help I love to give. I'll walk the sequence at your pace, help you check the plate, cord, and CO alarms, make sure your big-print steps are right, and include anyone else who should know it. $99 flat for a visit.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).