What Is a Generator Interlock Kit?
Last verified: September 2026
A plain-English introduction to interlock kits — the sliding plate that lets you safely power your home from a portable generator, and the safe answer to dangerous backfeeding. Questions? (330) 200-8042.
What a Generator Interlock Kit Is, at a Glance
A generator interlock kit is a sliding metal plate a licensed electrician adds to your existing electrical panel. It makes it physically impossible to have your main breaker and your generator breaker on at the same time — so your house is connected to the utility or your generator, never both. That's what lets you safely power your home's circuits from a portable generator during an outage, and it's the safe, legal alternative to dangerous backfeeding. There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 What is a generator interlock kit in simple terms?
It's a sliding metal plate on your electrical panel that makes it impossible to have your main breaker and generator breaker on at once. That lets you safely power your home's circuits from a portable generator during an outage.
2 Is an interlock kit safe?
Yes — when installed by a licensed electrician with a permit. It's a mechanical, code-approved device with very little to go wrong. The plate simply can't allow both breakers on.
3 Can I install an interlock kit myself?
No. It's electrical panel work — a licensed electrician's job, almost always with a permit and inspection. It's never a do-it-yourself project, and never something I do myself.
4 How is an interlock different from backfeeding?
Backfeeding through a wall or dryer outlet is dangerous and illegal — it can electrocute lineworkers and start fires. An interlock does the same job (powering your house from a generator) the safe, legal way.
5 What's the difference between an interlock and a transfer switch?
A transfer switch is a separate box of labeled switches; an interlock is a plate on your existing panel that you operate with your normal breakers. Both are safe and need a licensed electrician and permit. See our comparison guide.
6 Do I still run the generator outside?
Always. However you connect it, a generator must run outdoors, well away from the house, because of carbon monoxide. The interlock handles electrical safety; you handle exhaust safety.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
Understanding backup power shouldn't be stressful. I'll explain how an interlock works in plain English, help you decide if it fits your home, and line up a trustworthy licensed electrician to install it. I don't do the wiring myself — but I'll be with you every step. $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).