A backup generator on Vancouver Island must connect through a CSA-approved transfer switch, with an electrical permit and inspection, to protect line crews from backfeed. BC Hydro says so. The real choice is between a standby generator, a portable unit with a transfer switch and a home battery, based on what you need to run.
Why does backup power matter on the Island?
Windstorms and falling trees cause multi-day outages. BC Hydro said the December 2018 windstorm initially affected about 600,000 customers, and in hard-hit communities including Duncan, Nanaimo and the Gulf Islands it took crews several days to restore power. BC Hydro recommends a kit with a flashlight, extra batteries, a first-aid kit and three days of ready-to-eat food and bottled water. Backup power goes further than a kit: it keeps heat controls, a well pump, a sump pump, the fridge and your internet running.
How do the backup options compare?
| Option | What it is | Connection to the house | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable generator, extension cords only | A portable unit run outdoors, with cords to individual appliances | None to the house wiring | Never plug it into a household outlet. Carbon monoxide risk, so run it outdoors away from windows and doors |
| Portable generator with a transfer switch | Same generator, wired to selected circuits through a CSA-approved transfer switch | Through the transfer switch | Requires an electrical permit and inspection |
| Standby generator with automatic transfer switch | Permanently installed, starts when power fails | Through an automatic transfer switch | Gas-fired units must be on a gas permit; the electrical connection is permitted and inspected |
| Home battery (energy storage system) | Batteries with an inverter, often paired with solar | Installed to the Code | The 2024 Canadian Electrical Code has new requirements for energy storage systems |
What is a transfer switch, and what about interlocks?
A transfer switch breaks the path of electricity between the utility lines and your main panel so generator power cannot flow back out to the grid. BC Hydro's backup power safety guidance says that proper installation of a CSA-approved transfer switch is required, that it requires an electrical permit, and that the transfer switch and generator must be inspected and approved by the local electrical inspector. Generators that are not isolated can feed back into the grid and electrocute neighbours or line workers.
Interlock kits, which mechanically stop the main breaker and a generator breaker being on together, are common in the United States and often come up in forum advice. In Canada the picture is different. Schneider Electric Canada states that there are no CSA rated generator interlock kits for its load centres. We are not going to tell you what to buy or how to connect it. Before buying any kit, ask Technical Safety BC or your local electrical inspector what they will accept at your address, and let a licensed electrician do the connection under a permit.
Do you need a permit for a standby generator?
Yes for the electrical connection. If the generator burns natural gas or propane, Technical Safety BC also requires it to be listed on a gas installation permit as an appliance. That requirement took effect October 1, 2023, when the earlier exemption for gas-fired stationary engines and generators ended, and the equipment must carry an approved certification mark. A gas fitter handles the gas side, and an electrician handles the transfer switch and wiring.
How big a generator or battery do you need?
It depends on which circuits you want to keep running. A typical approach is to choose essential circuits, such as the furnace or heat pump controls, fridge and freezer, a sump pump, lights, a few receptacles and the internet, rather than backing up the whole house. A licensed electrician adds up those loads and matches them to the equipment. A whole-house generator or battery is a bigger, more expensive project and interacts with your service size, which is why it often comes up alongside a panel upgrade.
How does backup power relate to the rest of your panel?
A transfer switch is wired at the panel, so it depends on what is in that panel. If your panel is full, old or oversized for its breakers, those problems show up here. Read the panel upgrade cost guide for how that conversation goes. If you are planning a heat pump, an EV charger or a suite, plan the backup circuits at the same time. See heat pump electrical upgrades and panel upgrades for an EV charger. If your breakers trip when a storm hits or when power returns, our post on why breakers trip covers the usual causes.
What should you do before the storm season?
- Decide which circuits you want to keep powered.
- Book a licensed electrician to assess the panel and permit route well before an outage, not during one.
- Keep a portable generator outdoors only, never in a garage or partly enclosed space.
- Never connect a generator to a household outlet or to house wiring without an approved transfer switch.
- Keep BC Hydro's outage page and phone number handy: bchydro.com/outages, or 1-800-BCHYDRO.
Next step
Tell us what you need to keep running, and we will lay out the options and the permit route for your property. Our service calls page and the contact page are the way to start. Confirm permit and equipment rules with Technical Safety BC and your local inspector.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a transfer switch for a generator in BC?
If the generator connects to your house wiring, BC Hydro says a CSA-approved transfer switch is required, installed under an electrical permit and inspected by the local electrical inspector.
Can I plug a portable generator into a wall outlet?
No. BC Hydro warns this causes backfeed to the grid and is a serious danger to neighbours and utility workers. Use extension cords to individual appliances, outdoors, or have a transfer switch installed.
Are generator interlock kits allowed in Canada?
Schneider Electric Canada states there are no CSA rated generator interlock kits for its load centres. Ask Technical Safety BC or your local inspector what is accepted at your address before buying any kit.
Does a natural gas generator need a gas permit?
Yes. Since October 1, 2023, Technical Safety BC requires gas-fired stationary engines and generators to be listed on a gas installation permit as an appliance, and to carry an approved certification mark.
Is a battery a better choice than a generator?
It depends on how long outages last and what you need to run. The 2024 Canadian Electrical Code, in force in BC since March 4, 2025, has new requirements for energy storage systems, so a battery installation is permitted, inspected work. A licensed electrician can size either option.
Sources
- BC Hydro: backup power safety
- BC Hydro: December 2018 windstorm restoration update
- BC Hydro: storm preparation (emergency kit)
- Technical Safety BC: stationary engine, generator and turbine permit requirements
- Schneider Electric Canada: generator interlock kits FAQ
- Technical Safety BC blog: top 10 changes in the 2024 Canadian Electrical Code
Last verified October 8, 2026. Rebates, codes and prices change; confirm with the program or Technical Safety BC before you rely on them.