Generator "Extenda Panel" Cordsets

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cre8ive_thinker

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Wisconsin
Hello,

I am looking at the product called the "extenda panel" cordset that is manufactured by Briggs & Stratton. See the link below to see the actual product.

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect...d=428&osCsid=83458a48b34a7b23763c94e6e428ec26

This cable has the following configuration
L14-30P to 4 x 5-15R

L14-30P with 10/5c cord to the "splitter"
then 4 cables of 10/3c cord to the 5-15R receptacles
2 5-15R's are on one circuit and the other 2 are on the other circuit.

The L14-30P is wired as follows
Hot
Hot
Neutral - two neutrals to neutral pin
Ground

Each set of 2 receptacles has its own neutral wire that goes all the way back to the same neutral blade on the L14-30P plug.

My questions are as follows

1) Is there any benefit/safety requirement to having 2 separate 10awg neutral wires ran back to the same blade on the plug rather than just to the "splitter" and then share a common 10awg neutral wire back to the neutral blade on the plug?

2) Is this configuration NEC compliant (assuming it is)

3) Would utilizing 10/4c cord to the split accomplish the same thing and still meet the NEC?


Please advise
2)
 
1) Not really. Maybe it was easier/cheaper to use 5-conductor wire than a splice inside the block.

2) As an accessory, it may not need to be, as long as it's UL listed.

3) If it does so with five conductors, it should do so with four.
 
1) Is there any benefit/safety requirement to having 2 separate 10awg neutral wires ran back to the same blade on the plug rather than just to the "splitter" and then share a common 10awg neutral wire back to the neutral blade on the plug?
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None that I can see. I keep trying to come up with scenarios, and can't see one where a single 10 would be overloaded.

2) Is this configuration NEC compliant (assuming it is)
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There are no taps (all are 30A conductors), so they've avoided that hurdle.

However:

406.7 Noninterchangeability. Receptacles, cord connectors, and attachment plugs shall be constructed such that receptacle or cord connectors do not accept an attachment plug with a different voltage or current rating from that for which the device is intended. However, a 20-ampere T-slot receptacle or cord connector shall be permitted to accept a 15-ampere attachment plug of the same voltage rating. Non?grounding-type receptacles and connectors shall not accept grounding-type attachment plugs.
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It could be argued that a 15 amp device is not intended to be connected to a 30A circuit; so 406.7 could be cited to fail this cord set. If there is overcurrent protection inside the splitter, this would remove this option, however.

3) Would utilizing 10/4c cord to the split accomplish the same thing and still meet the NEC?
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Ditto what Larry Fine said. :)
 
Thanks for replying. This particular application they have each receptacle protected with 4 fast acting Buss ABC15 fuses.

If this was to be done with a circuit breaker, would you recommend a 2 pole 30 amp breaker, or would it need to be 2 30amp 1 pole breakers? I should probably just ask what breaker "configuration" that I would need.

Sorry I am not an electrical engineer and want to design something correctly rather than incorrectly.
 
cre8ive_thinker said:
If this was to be done with a circuit breaker, would you recommend a 2 pole 30 amp breaker, or would it need to be 2 30amp 1 pole breakers?
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Since the hots are separate (i.e., not on one yoke), separate single-poles should be fine, as long as you're not talking about hard-wiring with a rubber cord assembly.

By the way, how are these four fuses being used?
 
IMO this product is beyond the scope of the NEC. It is nothing more than a fancy extension cord. The only real concern should be is it a listed product.
 
cre8ive_thinker said:
There are four Buss ABC15 fuses, one for each receptacle within the splitter.
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Cool beans! I've seen 4-way generator cords before, but I've never seen one fused. I approve.
 
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