Generator neutral

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

anndover

New member
Our generator has a 120/240 Volt AC, 30 Amp receptacle that accepts a NEMA L14-30 plug. It has two hots (X and Y), a neutral, and a ground.

Our well pump is 230V, single phase, 5.9 Max Amp, 1/2 HP. It has a red (L1), black (L2), and yellow (ground).

The required wattage for the pump (including surge) is well within the capabilities even with our existing load on it.
My brother in law sent me this. I thought it would be an interesting question to post as I have not heard the same answer from anyone I have asked. I would appreciate a good way to explain this to him in lamens terms.

I was planning putting a plug on the line from the pump and a receptacle on the line to the breaker. I can leave the pump plugged into that for daily use and plug it into an L14-30 generator extension cable if we lose power. That way I'm not backfeeding into the lines.

Someone told me I could just not use the neutral from the generator, but I wanted your take on it.

If I can ignore the neutral, is it a problem to have that L14-30 plug connected into it with nothing connected to the neutral on the other end?
 
anndover said:
I was planning putting a plug on the line from the pump and a receptacle on the line to the breaker. I can leave the pump plugged into that for daily use and plug it into an L14-30 generator extension cable if we lose power. That way I'm not backfeeding into the lines.
Click to expand...
Good intention, but you may not be able to simply install a plug on the pump cable. I'd have to see the place to recommend something.

If I can ignore the neutral, is it a problem to have that L14-30 plug connected into it with nothing connected to the neutral on the other end?
Click to expand...
I don't believe that would be a problem. But, wouldn't that limit you to powering only the pump and nothing else?
 
anndover said:
Our generator has a 120/240 Volt AC, 30 Amp receptacle that accepts a NEMA L14-30 plug. It has two hots (X and Y), a neutral, and a ground.

Our well pump is 230V, single phase, 5.9 Max Amp, 1/2 HP. It has a red (L1), black (L2), and yellow (ground).

The required wattage for the pump (including surge) is well within the capabilities even with our existing load on it.
My brother in law sent me this. I thought it would be an interesting question to post as I have not heard the same answer from anyone I have asked. I would appreciate a good way to explain this to him in lamens terms.

I was planning putting a plug on the line from the pump and a receptacle on the line to the breaker. I can leave the pump plugged into that for daily use and plug it into an L14-30 generator extension cable if we lose power. That way I'm not backfeeding into the lines.

Someone told me I could just not use the neutral from the generator, but I wanted your take on it.

If I can ignore the neutral, is it a problem to have that L14-30 plug connected into it with nothing connected to the neutral on the other end?
Click to expand...


Im sorry this in confusing to me...be sure and dont install a plug where it could hot on the male end, if unplugged:smile:......
 
!!Caution!! The yellow is most often the motor starting lead. Do you have a starting box?
If you connect the yellow as a ground you will damage something. Well pumps are expensive to pull and repair.
 
anndover said:
Someone told me I could just not use the neutral from the generator, but I wanted your take on it.

If I can ignore the neutral, is it a problem to have that L14-30 plug connected into it with nothing connected to the neutral on the other end?
Click to expand...

You do not need to provide a neutral to the pump if it does not require it.

I see nothing wrong with using a 5-wire plug, with no neutral connected, to get power from a 5-wire receptacle.

You may not use cord to replace fixed wiring, so you may not be able to use a "plug" to feed your pump on a regular basis.
 
anndover, Tom Baker is right, the yellow wire is NOT the EGC it is the 'RUN' lead to the

pump. So before you do anything, find out what you are working with.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top