Why Electricians Call This Generator Hack a Suicide Cord

One of the biggest mistakes one can make with a generator is to attempt to use it with a double male extension cord. These cords, also known as "widowmaker cords" or "suicide cords," are so named because they can injure or kill you. People use these cords to connect a portable generator to their home’s electrical system by plugging one end into their generator and the other into a wall outlet. This practice, known as backfeeding, in theory sends power directly into your home’s electrical system...