8 copper 3 conductor plus the ground in a portable power cord. Consult the local electrical code for what type and how they will allow it to be installed. This goes from the generator to the transfer switch. Each circuit that will operate from the generator is then wired to the transfer switch. Some AHJ require conduit for the cable. Also in many jurisdictions you must report to the utility that you have a generator wired to the home wiring. It is much easier and cheaper to run extension cords to the 3 or 4 vital places in a home. Refrigerator, freezer, microwave and a couple of lights.
There are only two ways to hook up a generator to a house. The right way and the wrong way. While the wrong way may work, it is unsafe, illegal and actually could kill someone down the line. The safe, proper and legal way is to install a transfer switch. WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have seen the local power company sue people for liability because they hook up the generator to the dryer's receptacle and when the back-feed hit the transformer down the line, it killed the pperson who working to restore the power. PLEASE, if you do this, do it the legal way. Good luck and may God bless!
We live in hurricane country, our generator hookup is just a big, heavy duty power cord with a 4-outlet box on the end that's shoved through the pet door. Fridge, freezer, fan and microwave are plugged in with extension cords. It's a pain in the butt but it's safe, cheap, and it works.
Shut the main breaker so you are off the grid and plug the generator into your dryer plug to reverse power your panel. Shut off the big things at the fuse box, AC, hot water heater, etc.
You okorder /... made for your panel, it requires a little more electrical experience to install, and the parts are specific to each installation. It costs just a little more, but gives you the option of feeding any circuit in your panel that your generator can handle. The cord you need would be #10 awg, the 120 and 240 designation indicates you will need a neutral, two hots and a ground, so it would be a 4 wire cord.
