A suicide cable is a male-to-male cord used to backfeed power from a generator, which exposes live prongs and can kill or start fires.
People sometimes hear the term after storms or long outages. The idea sounds handy: make a cord with two male plugs, feed power into a wall outlet, and run the house. That shortcut carries hidden dangers. The open blades on the free end turn live, the home wiring can energize the grid, and one slip can be fatal.
Suicide Cable Definition And Risks
A suicide cable (also called a suicide cord or widowmaker) is any lead with male plugs at both ends. One end connects to a portable generator or another live source. The other end is pushed into a household receptacle. The prongs on that side are energized and exposed. The cord also bypasses transfer equipment, so the generator can drive current back through the panel, meter, and utility lines. That practice is called backfeeding.
| Hazard | What Can Happen | Safer Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Live exposed prongs | Shock or electrocution on contact, arc flash, burns | Use outlets on the generator or a listed transfer switch |
| Backfeeding the grid | Energizes downed lines and endangers lineworkers and neighbors | Install code-compliant transfer equipment that isolates the house |
| Overload and fire | Improper breakers and unbalanced loads overheat wiring | Match loads to circuits through proper switching and breakers |
Safety agencies urge people to avoid this cord entirely. See the OSHA portable generator guidance on transfer switches and isolation, and the CPSC warning on male-to-male cords. That message is consistent nationwide.
What People Try To Do With A Suicide Cord
The common move is plugging a generator into a dryer outlet or a standard receptacle. The thought is that the main breaker will stay off and the power will only flow to a few chosen circuits. Real life is messier. Someone can flip a breaker by mistake. A neutral can be shared in ways you do not expect. The open end can be touched during setup. A neighbor or worker can contact a line that your generator has energized.
Backfeeding also abuses equipment. Household branch circuits were not designed to accept feeder power in reverse. Breakers may not trip as intended. Transformers on the pole can step the generator’s output up to dangerous voltages that travel far beyond your home. That is why utilities and trades treat this cord as a red flag.
Is A Suicide Cable Legal?
No. The electrical code requires listed transfer equipment when connecting a generator to a building. The idea is clear: utility and generator power must never be connected at the same time, and the home must be isolated from the grid when the generator is in use. A DIY male-to-male cord cannot meet those conditions. Many utilities forbid any tie-in that lacks a transfer switch or an approved interlock. Insurance carriers frown on it as well.
Codes in places reference listed transfer equipment under optional standby rules for dwellings and businesses, not improvised cords or adapters.
How A Transfer Switch Keeps People Safe
A transfer switch is break-before-make. That means it disconnects the home from the utility feed before it connects the generator. No overlap. No backfeed path. Inside the enclosure, the switch routes the hot legs and, in some models, the neutral. Clear positions and labels tell you whether the house is on utility or generator. When utility returns, the switch moves back and the generator is taken off load. That simple sequence prevents dangerous parallel connections.
Cord And Inlet Details That Matter
Match the amp rating end to end. A common portable setup is a 120/240-volt, 30-amp twist-lock inlet (L14-30) with 10-gauge copper cord. Larger portables and many standby sets use 50-amp gear with 6-gauge copper. Keep cords short to limit voltage drop, and avoid lightweight cords that heat under load. Use listed inlet boxes with covers. Keep connections off the ground, and protect them from rain with enclosures made for the job.
What To Do During Setup
Plan a simple routine and follow the same order every time. A written sheet near the panel helps when stress runs high.
- Roll the generator outdoors to a clear, ventilated spot. Point the exhaust away from openings.
- Check oil and fuel. Verify the breakers on the generator are off.
- Move the transfer device to the generator position. Turn the main breaker off if you use an interlock.
- Plug the cord into the inlet. Lock the twist-lock fully.
- Start the generator and let it warm up. Watch for steady speed.
- Turn on the generator breakers. Add loads a few at a time. Prioritize the circuits you need most.
- Monitor for strain sounds or lights dimming. If the unit labors, shed a load and stabilize.
- When utility returns, remove loads, shut down the generator, move the transfer device back to utility, and stow the cord.
Myths That Get People Hurt
“It’s Fine If The Main Breaker Is Off.”
People forget. Panels get labeled wrong. A visitor or family member can reset a handle. Shared neutrals can still carry current. One slip brings the grid back into the circuit, which defeats the isolation you intended.
“Bonding The Neutral Solves It.”
Bonding and grounding handle shock protection and fault paths. They do not create the safe switching that isolates a building from utility lines. Only listed transfer equipment provides that function.
“I Only Need To Run A Few Lights.”
Loads add up fast. Motors and compressors draw more on startup. Reverse feeds move through circuits in ways you may not anticipate. A transfer switch keeps those loads on circuits designed for the task.
“A Dryer Outlet Is The Same As An Inlet.”
A dryer receptacle was never intended as a power entry. It lacks an interlock, weather rating, and labeling. An inlet with a transfer device gives you a locked, known path.
Transfer And Interlock Options At A Glance
| Option | What It Does | Typical Cost/Time |
|---|---|---|
| Manual transfer switch | Moves chosen circuits to generator through a listed switch | Hardware often $300–$900; pro install time varies |
| Panel interlock kit | Locks out utility or generator breaker so both cannot be on | Hardware often $50–$150; add inlet, breaker, and labor |
| Automatic transfer switch | Transfers whole-home or large subpanel without manual steps | Hardware often $800+; install paired with standby set |
How To Spot A Suicide Cable
Look for a cord with two male caps. Each end has exposed blades. Many are made from orange or yellow extension cords with the female end cut off and replaced with a plug. Others use a short heavy lead with molded caps on both ends. If you see one, do not use it. Treat it like a live hazard even when it looks unplugged. If you inherited one, remove both male caps and discard the parts.
Why Backfeeding Endangers Workers And Neighbors
Think of the grid like a network of pipes. Your generator becomes a small pump. When you push power backward, the pole transformer raises your generator’s voltage. That high voltage rides along lines crews believe are de-energized. A lineman grabbing a wire or a neighbor clearing debris could be hit. The risk does not vanish because a main breaker is open. Stray connections, shared neutrals, or a mislabeled handle can defeat that plan.
Safe Setup Checklist For Portable Generators
When you plan backup power the right way, you protect people and equipment. Use this checklist during setup and each time you run the unit.
- Place the generator outdoors, far from doors and windows. Keep exhaust away from people and pets.
- Use a listed inlet, proper wire size, and a transfer switch or interlock rated for the amperage.
- Plug loads into the generator or the transfer circuit only. Never into a wall receptacle.
- Use heavy-duty, grounded cords. Keep cords uncoiled, off hot surfaces, and out of standing water.
- Keep the generator dry under a canopy rated for the purpose. Avoid makeshift covers that trap fumes or heat.
- Test GFCI protection and breaker operation before storm season. Replace damaged cords and ends.
- Shut the generator down to refuel. Let it cool to avoid ignition and burns.
- Install and test CO alarms in the home. Replace batteries on the schedule the manufacturer recommends.
Practical Steps To Replace A Suicide Cord
Swap bad hardware for safe hardware. Add a listed inlet outside near the panel. Run the correct gauge conductors in approved conduit. Install a generator breaker with an interlock plate or a manual transfer switch that feeds selected circuits. Label every circuit with clear wording. Keep a one-page start-up sheet next to the panel so anyone in the home can follow the same safe sequence.
Disposal And Reporting
If you come across a cord like this at a yard sale or in a toolbox, cut it out of service. Remove both male caps from the cable and recycle the copper. Warn the seller why it is unsafe. If you see them listed for sale online, report the listing. The CPSC has asked people to stop buying and to discard these cords, since they present multiple hazards.
Safe Power Backup Choices
Backup power should never bring new hazards into the home. Skip the shortcut. Use a transfer switch or a listed interlock. Keep the generator outdoors with clear airflow and dry footing. Power the loads you need on circuits designed for them. The lights stay on. People stay safe.