Generator question

[JB4310]

I bought that cord because it was the only one I could find. It is a four prong, that much I'm sure of. The idea behind this kind of cord, from what I've read, is its heavier duty, so you run this cord in the house, and then plug shorter cords into the main cord.

Yeah that's pretty much what the 30 amp outlet is for as well.

Does the cord have any tags on it like how many amps it's good for or if it carries more than one circuit?

JB

 

[dodge man]

I'll have to look at the cord tonight. I've been meaning to hook it up and try it out and test it with a volt meter to make sure what volts its putting out, but its been so hot out, I haven't felt like messing with it.

 

[jonyyuma]

I'll have to look at the cord tonight. I've been meaning to hook it up and try it out and test it with a volt meter to make sure what volts its putting out, but its been so hot out, I haven't felt like messing with it.

More than likely, you will find the wire guage imprinted into the side of the cord. 4 wire plug is simply for two hot legs , a neutral and a ground. It will be white for neutral and then green, maybe with yellow stripe for ground. If you are not positive about the hot legs, get help. You don't want to short out the 110 volt stuff in the house??

 

[JB4310]

More than likely, you will find the wire guage imprinted into the side of the cord. 4 wire plug is simply for two hot legs , a neutral and a ground. It will be white for neutral and then green, maybe with yellow stripe for ground. If you are not positive about the hot legs, get help. You don't want to short out the 110 volt stuff in the house??

I'm pretty sure he said it has three 110 volt outlets on it, that's the odd thing.

I must just be for situations where only the 4 prong outlet is available, and is just using one hot leg. On a smaller generator I doubt it would be putting out anymore than the 30 amp 3 prong.

JB

 

[jonyyuma]

I seriously doubt that a gen set that small has 3 hot legs, or three phase output it would be obvious on the internal breaker>>>.......If it has 3 recepticles????

 

[jonyyuma]

Okay, went back to OP#1...cord set up..

 

[Transit]

I seriously doubt that a gen set that small has 3 hot legs, or three phase output it would be obvious on the internal breaker>>>.......If it has 3 recepticles????

A generator that size most likely is not 3 phase.
Two phase like in your home, Hot A, Neutral, Hot B and ground.

 

[techman]

Actually most homes have only single phase. So referring to two phases is incorrect. The dual voltage single phase is referred to as split phase.

The plug on the generator is likely a NEMA L14-30, which is a 3 pole, 4 wire grounding twist lock plug. The two hot legs are the two opposing from the keyed prong. The keyed prong is ground and the blade opposite ground is neutral. You should be able to use an ohmeter to confirm it.

At max load the genset will deliver 27 amps per leg.

As far as tying it into the panel, BE CAREFUL. You should have an interlock to meet code. the cheapest solution is something like: Generator InterLock Kit Turning off the main is nice, but forget once and you could fry a lineman.

Paul

 

[the fat kid]

Yes I do have a shutoff. Very true I would never ever want to hurt a lineman when power kicks back on. I shut off the main at the trim as a secondary precaution. ( mostly cuz I never trust something without a backup). My master electrician friend wired it for me

 

[JB4310]

I saw this cord at Lowe's today, using the 4 prong 120/240 outlet.

This one has four 120 volt, 20amp receptacles. 2 have a blue marker and two are marked red.

Though it doesn't say it, I'm assuming it is 2 circuits carried by this cord.
An alternative to a transfer switch, where you could have a balanced draw on a single cord coming in the house.

I noticed none of the gennys had the 30 amp 120 outlet, just that 120/240.

JB