Electrician installed an outlet instead of a generator inlet box
An electrical outlet cannot receive power from a portable generator without exposing live prongs to electrocution and causing a dangerous backfeed hazard. Using a custom "suicide cord" to bridge the mistake risks severe shock, and finding no code allowance for this setup means the entire installation must be completely replaced with a proper recessed male inlet box.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- Most of it landed at once — the busiest month was September 2026, with 19 people.
- This comes up 77.5× more often in r/askanelectrician than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Making a custom male-to-male cableDid this help you?
- 2Searching for adaptersDid this help you?
- 3Replacing the octagon box with a standard switch box or handy boxDid this help you?
- 4Sourcing specialized octagon duplex cover plates online or from a local supply houseDid this help you?
- 5soldering and heat shrinkingDid this help you?
- 6using crimped butt connectorsDid this help you?
- 7using AT&T / Western Union / lineman splicesDid this help you?
- 8using crimp caps or wire nutsDid this help you?
- 9flipping the breaker and removing the wireDid this help you?
- 10adding a junction box behind the fixtureDid this help you?
- 11hiring a licensed electricianDid this help you?
- 12Asking online communities like Reddit for reviewDid this help you?
- 13Replacing parts like the strain relief fittingDid this help you?
- 14Hiding wire nut connections behind linesets and strapping them out of sight.Did this help you?
- 15Stripping wires further back and twisting them tightly before capping for a cleaner look.Did this help you?
- 16filing a warranty claim with the builderDid this help you?
- 17planning to bring the electrical code violations up to the project managerDid this help you?
- 18checking fuses and switchesDid this help you?
- 19consulting wiring diagrams and pinoutsDid this help you?
- 20Using an extension cord from another outletDid this help you?
- 21Going to the laundromatDid this help you?
- 22Attempting DIY electrical fixes based on automotive electrical knowledgeDid this help you?
- 23install a 3 prong dryer outlet and change your dryer cord out to a 3 prongDid this help you?
- 24trying to trace circuit connections manuallyDid this help you?
- 25inspecting existing switches and breaker boxes independentlyDid this help you?
- 26Using extension cords and surge protectors to plug everything into a single working outletDid this help you?
- 27Refusing to move and living with the faulty electrical conditionDid this help you?
- 28Turning off the breaker and looking for independent opinions or inspecting the wiring componentsDid this help you?
- 29Cutting off the metal boot and installing a conical split pipe flashingDid this help you?
- 30Using liquid flashDid this help you?
- 31Installing a target patch and a penetration pocketDid this help you?
- 32Keeping an eye on it and having a roofer replace it at some pointDid this help you?
- 33Taking the wiring down just to pass inspection and putting it back up after the inspector leaves.Did this help you?
- 34Using a tall stepladder to manually plug and unplug the cord every time power is needed.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I had the inspector come yesterday and get failed bc the lights are on switch loops.”source ↗
“Who are they to just say “oh you need to allow for a toy you’re never going to use.””source ↗
“Plumber swapped shower valve, put outlet back in original spot ( I think ) and the hot water line is touching the box. Good or no good?”source ↗
“Not 100% sure what’s going on here…”source ↗
“trying to Install a new headunit into my 96 BMW Z3. I’m having to splice a receiving harness and a wiring harness together I’m using WAGO lever nuts. My question is if there’s a little bit of copper wire exposed outside of the connector (red circle) is it safe and if not how to address it. Also wondering if lever nuts are the appropriate connector to use.”source ↗
“I have this LED mirror in the powder room powered through a GFCI outlet. Looks like a DIY project by the previous owner. The connection wire is shaky and one time smoke was coming out.”source ↗
“Bigger concern…if that’s the previous owners idea of good work, what other crap work is hidden?”source ↗
“Not an electrician but smoke? Fuck, flip the breaker and remove that wire”source ↗
“Recently an inspector didn't like it and made us take it down before He would pass us.”source ↗
“I know extension cords aren't supposed to be used in a permanent application, but how do we get light in the trailer and keep the fire inspector happy?”source ↗
“We are looking to partially finish this space and I’m wondering if there’s anything I can do to clean this up.”source ↗
“Also , thinking about trying to fix myself if I can make sense of it. Would I need a new panel or could I do it off this one? I have an understanding of Automotive electrical not too much home stuff.”source ↗
“Can’t find the code for that.”source ↗
“Loose wires start fires.”source ↗
“Hi! My washer outlet is not working as it should. I have checked the circuit breaker and tested for electric current in the wires and the outlet, but the outlet is reporting low voltage.”source ↗
“After that didn't work I plugged up an extension cord to the washer and it worked! I'm at a loss on how to fix it, as I lament in the Laundromat.”source ↗
“It actually said low voltage. I used a plug in tester too and it didn't turn on. The outlet won't reset.”source ↗
“I had to install shut-off valves for the washer prior to this, and now I can't dry them because there is a bare-faced, 3-prong plug-in.”source ↗
“Can this be wired correctly to a 4-prong, or am I going to have to run a new line?”source ↗
“One of my other outlets doesn’t even work at all. Only one does.”source ↗
“I just have everything plugged into the one working outlet using extension cords and surge protectors.”source ↗
“What the hell is wrong with my room?”source ↗
“Could be a loose terminal screw, raises contact resistance, heats up more”source ↗
“Not at all easy. Had to drag out an 8 foot stepladder and stand on the top to unplug and take completely down.”source ↗
“Our home came with a lovely little woodworking shop in the backyard. But I'm 90% sure it's not up to code (actual fuses, possibly ungrounded wiring) and would love advice on how to bring it up to code without rerunning every wire in the shed.”source ↗
“I opened the enclosure and found the burned/charred terminal shown in the photos on the left timer.”source ↗
“Is that exposed romex powering it?”source ↗
“Everywhere that I know of requires that the Romex be run through conduit”source ↗
“The 240 volt power supply for both of them is supposed to be in a waterproof conduit.”source ↗
“US NEC prohibits Romex outdoors period.”source ↗
“Brand new basement install, I don't know if my hvac tech is just lazy/does ugly work or if this setup is problematic/unsafe.”source ↗
“I paid an electrician to install a generator inlet box on the outside of my home. He, however, installed an NEMA 14-50 outlet.”source ↗
“We had a new garbage disposal installed today, do the wires look right?”source ↗
“everything works except the window regulator and I’m not sure why.”source ↗
“Did an electrical panel upgrade last year. A roofer came over today to work on an exhaust roof vent, and noticed that the circled part was incorrectly installed by the company that did the panel upgrade. Is this a legitimate concern?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4Why does touching my breaker panel turn my electric dryer back on?
- 2New appliance installed wrong and broken
- 16How to replace two-prong outlets with three-prong without rewiring
- 3Are tripping breakers and blinking lights normal in a new house?
- 2How to insulate around old, brittle electrical wiring
- 46Why does my new plumbing still have bad water pressure and risky joints?