Regular power outages are now a way of life in Southern California during high wind, weather, and fire events. GenerLink is a product that plugs into residential meter sockets, which allows homeowners to power their homes with their own generators during “Public Safety Power Shutoffs” and unplanned power outages. It is approved for use in many parts of Canada and the US, and is UL listed, and sold through major retailers like Home Depot and Amazon.

SCE’s planning department and the metering division both gave me different excuses about the GenerLink when I called and emailed in 2021, then again the following year. First excuse was that they were testing it at their facility in an effort to get it approved. Second excuse a year later was that they weren’t sure it couldn’t be used to steal power, or that lookalike units between the meter and panel could be built for that purpose. 

It’s a great solution for my mountain area where they do PSPSs occasionally, and it would prevent backfeeding which can definitely be an issue when homeowners have to resort to using extension cords, or their transfer switch isn’t wired properly. I don’t know what the actual issue is; “meter clearance” is apparently one of their latest excuses.  Hey Edison, if you’re concerned about someone whacking their head on your protruding meter, have the homeowner sign a liability waiver or something.

We aren’t asking, we are demanding access to a commonsense solution (which already exists). We want to know the real reason here and we won’t be bullied by SCE simply because it has a monopoly on the power grid in SoCal. 

I have no business interest in GenerLink and am in no way affiliated with the company. I have consulted with professional electricians concerning this device, and it was recommended by them. I’m simply a homeowner trying to keep my family in our home when the power inevitably goes out.