2023 NEC on portable generator receptacle

[Ricardos]

On a recent Mike Holt Live Streaming it was highlighted that the 2023 NEC will not allow a receptacle for a portable generator to be installed inside the garage and that it had to be located outside the dwelling. They were concerned about the cord going out through the garage door and the door coming down and compromising the cord. Can anyone please help quote the code section it is referring to?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

702.12(B) Portable Generators 15 kW or Less.
Where a portable generator, rated 15 kW or less, is installed using a flanged inlet or other cord-and-plug-type connection, a disconnecting means shall not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass through a building or structure. The flanged inlet or other cord-and-plug-type connection shall be located outside of a building or structure.

 

[infinity]

IMO the cord under the door argument is not as compelling as trying to discourage someone from running the generator in the garage.

 

[jap]

Wouldn't surprise me if most run the generator inside the garage to keep it out of the weather, then, run the cord out the window or under the door to get the outside flanged inlet breaking both rules that the code may be trying to help with.

JAP>

 

[don_resqcapt19]

There have been proposals at the product standards level to require portable generators to have CO detectors and shut down when there is a concentration of CO.

 

[goldstar]

IMO the cord under the door argument is not as compelling as trying to discourage someone from running the generator in the garage.

A lot depends on whether they've read Dr. Kavorkian's book or not.

Seriously though, I think it's a good Code change. I've found many HO's will buy the shortest generator cord possible (probably 10') to save a few $$$ and then use it in this way. They'll probably also point the generator exhaust towards the garage door as well.

 

[Steve16]

You would think that this would be a common sense thing.

 

[Buck Parrish]

You would think that this would be a common sense thing.

Their's a large population of folks whom are lacking in that catefgory.

 

[jap]

There have been proposals at the product standards level to require portable generators to have CO detectors and shut down when there is a concentration of CO.

That's interesting.

In my mind a CO2 detector is warning you of something indoors that is not working properly.
Not to be installed on something that shouldn't be operated indoors to begin with.

JAP>

 

[don_resqcapt19]

That's interesting.

In my mind a CO2 detector is warning you of something indoors that is not working properly.
Not to be installed on something that shouldn't be operated indoors to begin with.

JAP>

But like a lot of things the engineers have to design to protect the idiots. It seems the world makes better idiots faster than better engineers.

 

[Barbqranch]

I recently bought a 6 KW portable generator, and it does come w/ a CO detector and shut-off. I still wouldn't depend on that to run it in my garage (Besides, my transfer switch is on the side of my barn under a shed roof.

 

[GoldDigger]

In my experience portable generators, as opposed to hard wired ones with an ATS, are designed to operate in the outdoor environment. But weather protection while not in use should extend their life.
The main issue would be filling the fuel tank in the rain without getting too much water mixed in. An umbrella and two people take care of that.

 

[letgomywago]

But like a lot of things the engineers have to design to protect the idiots. It seems the world makes better idiots faster than better engineers.

Tamper resistant outlet ok now I need 2 forks or knives to get shocked.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Tamper resistant outlet ok now I need 2 forks or knives to get shocked.

exactly...when they first came out, I would do that at trade shows if they had two objects available...put one in each slot and walk away.

 

[letgomywago]

exactly...when they first came out, I would do that at trade shows if they had two objects available...put one in each slot and walk away.

When checking with a meter the first thing I do is test line and nuetral then leave one in the hot and test the ground but as long as something is holding the shutters open they stay that way.

 

[jaggedben]

There have been proposals at the product standards level to require portable generators to have CO detectors and shut down when there is a concentration of CO.

That would definitely save more lives each year than the GFCI requirement for air conditioners.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

That would definitely save more lives each year than the GFCI requirement for air conditioners.

But not something that the NEC can address. While it can address the connection of the portable generator to a premises wiring system, it has no authority over the design and construction of the portable generator itself.

 

[jaggedben]

But not something that the NEC can address. While it can address the connection of the portable generator to a premises wiring system, it has no authority over the design and construction of the portable generator itself.

Yeah I know. Just sayin'.

 

[W@ttson]

702.12(B) Portable Generators 15 kW or Less.
Where a portable generator, rated 15 kW or less, is installed using a flanged inlet or other cord-and-plug-type connection, a disconnecting means shall not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass through a building or structure. The flanged inlet or other cord-and-plug-type connection shall be located outside of a building or structure.

Why limit it to 15KW or less? Why not any portable / "roll up generator"?

 

[retirede]

Why limit it to 15KW or less? Why not any portable / "roll up generator"?

Just a guess - anything larger will unlikely to be connected via cord & plug in a residential setting.