- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Would one of these be required to be weatherproof whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted if installed in a wet location?
Generater Inlet Boxes and Weatherproof Requirment
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ceb58
Senior Member
- Location
- Raeford, NC
I think they have a nema-3 rating. With or with out the cord cap.
hillbilly1
Senior Member
- Location
- North Georgia mountains
- Occupation
- Owner/electrical contractor
But there not rated raintight when in use, that's the rub...........do they fall under the same requirement as other outside receptacles........
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
That's the question.
Since it's not 15 or 20 amp then 406.9(B)(1) won't apply that sends you to 406.9(B)(2).
That's the question.
Since it's not 15 or 20 amp then 406.9(B)(1) won't apply that sends you to 406.9(B)(2).
(b) A receptacle installed in a wet location where the
product intended to be plugged into it will be attended
while in use (e.g., portable tools) shall have an enclosure
that is weatherproof when the attachment plug is removed
So is a portable generator a portable tool?
hillbilly1
Senior Member
- Location
- North Georgia mountains
- Occupation
- Owner/electrical contractor
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Even if it was considered as one, it would not be attended.
That my take on it, meaning that these devices cannot be installed in a wet location.
mjf
Senior Member
Was recently brought up at my local elec cont meeting. It doesn't require an in-use cover as long as it is twist-lock. Local inspector showed the code section to me....don't have my book handy.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
I've noticed that Midwest electrical products makes an in-use generator inlet box. I've seen it at Home Depot but haven't seen it at any supply houses. They usually carry the typical Reliance PB-30.
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
That's the question.
Since it's not 15 or 20 amp then 406.9(B)(1) won't apply that sends you to 406.9(B)(2).
An inlet is not a receptacle. I don't see how that code section applies.
mjf
Senior Member
I'm skeptical.
Does anyone have a code reference?
Yeah, went out to the van and got my code book....now I'm skeptical too.
406.9(B)(2) Other Receptacles. All other receptacles installed in a
wet location shall comply with (B)(2)(a) or (B)(2)(b).
(a) A receptacle installed in a wet location, where the
product intended to be plugged into it is not attended while
in use, shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof with the
attachment plug cap inserted or removed.
(b) A receptacle installed in a wet location where the
product intended to be plugged into it will be attended
while in use (e.g., portable tools) shall have an enclosure
that is weatherproof when the attachment plug is removed.
From the definitions in Chapter 1:
WEATHERPROOF. Constructed or protected so that exposure to the weather will not interfere with successful operation.
Another gray area?? AHJ call I guess.
The insp. I was talking to at the time was of a mind that a recessed, twist-lock 240 volt receptical / cord end mating would make a connection to satisfy the definition of weatherproof.
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mjf
Senior Member
goldstar
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
These units are about $30 more and are w/p while in use. http://www.interlockkit.com/acessories01b.htm .
I don't like using them because (as weird as it may seem) it's difficult for a HO to bend over and plug the cord into
I think a bigger issue might be EC's making up their own power cords that are not w/p molded cased ends like these
http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Century-Wire-&-Cable-D13011025/p3078.html
BTW, would someone please PM me and explain how to post a photo like the PB-30 or a PDF file ?
Thanks
I don't like using them because (as weird as it may seem) it's difficult for a HO to bend over and plug the cord into
I think a bigger issue might be EC's making up their own power cords that are not w/p molded cased ends like these
http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Century-Wire-&-Cable-D13011025/p3078.html
BTW, would someone please PM me and explain how to post a photo like the PB-30 or a PDF file ?
Thanks
- Location
- Massachusetts
I agree 100%.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
I thought about that too although it makes little sense because the intention is to prevent water from entering while in use. Is there a definition somewhere that says a receptacle is defined as being female only and would exclude something like in the photo in the OP?
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
I agree, an inlet is not a receptacle.
We also install a lot of 480v twistlock receptacles for chemigation at pivots. (Those big round circle things you guys see when flying over NE) We install with a standard wp cover on the bottom of a 3R enclosure. Facing down.
We also install a lot of 480v twistlock receptacles for chemigation at pivots. (Those big round circle things you guys see when flying over NE) We install with a standard wp cover on the bottom of a 3R enclosure. Facing down.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
Beat me to this one, but I think you are right.
There is some logic in what you say here. Still don't have me convinced it is a receptacle. Can I just use a pigtail cord instead of the inlet? Now we get into whether the application is acceptable to use flexible cord. If we deem it is acceptable do we need a watertight cord cord connector and cap? I havn't ever seen a cord cap male end that is watertight when not plugged in.
I avoid the bottom facing chemigation receptacles. I have replaced more of them that have failed than ones on a vertical surface - even with typical wp only when cover closed covers. Condensation gets them. Worse yet is the guys that install them flush in the bottom of pivot panel. A little dirt buildup (it happens no matter what) and some moisture and a receptacle right in the same area - it will flash over at some point, especially 227/480 or worse yet corner grounded 480(but they have pretty much disappeared in my neck of the woods though) or the high leg of a high leg delta.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Besides that they are shown in catalogs under separate headings I would say the general definition of receptacle is something that you can put something else in.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptacle
I agree with this also, an inlet is a plug. The receptacle would be the connector on the attachment cord between the generator and the inlet.
Does the Inlet rate the Connector as Waterproof when Its inserted?
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