Generator

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shaw0486

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If you have a gas generator outside of a building with breakers in the generator for the derived feeder, can the feeder go directly into a transfer switch when entering the building or does it have to hit a enclosed circuit breaker or some other kind of disconnect.
 
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If you cannot stand at the building and see the breakers with the generator enclosure closed then you need an additional disconnect at the building. Some generators are built with a window in front of the breaker to make it visible, but this only works when the window is facing the building.
 
This may be off the subject here for this question,but i'm new here and not familiar with the forum rules,so here goes.i have an 8000 watt portable generator with a 30a mounted twist lock receptacle, the homeowner had a contractor install a cutler hammer 5500watt emergency generator panel with a 20a twist lock receptacle installed in the panel. Would there be a problem putting a female 20a twist lock cord cap on the 12awg so cord to match the generator panel cord configuration and put a 30a male twist lock cord cap on the other end to plug into the generator outlet?
 
...Would there be a problem putting a female 20a twist lock cord cap on the 12awg so cord to match the generator panel cord configuration and put a 30a male twist lock cord cap on the other end to plug into the generator outlet?
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Yes, as that 20 Amp rated device could be overloaded with a gen set capable of producing 5500 watts.

Better to change out the inlet to a 30 Amp configuration, and the lines from there to the emergency panel to at least a #10 AWG.
 
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so you feel that leaving the 20a twist lock inlet (factory installed ) and the 12awg so cord with an o.c.p.d. of 20a 2-pole would not be adviseable to change the male cord cap to a 30a,just so it would fit the generator 30a configuration? generator is 8000w and emergency generator panel is listed at 5500w fed by a 2 pole 60a breaker.thanks for the quick response sparky.
 
Portable generator transfer switches

Portable generator transfer switches

After " IKE", people are asking about transfer switches for their portable generators. What little I've read doesn't fully answer all the questions I have. I know the main breaker should be turned off ( if there is one!), but should the neutral be disconnected also, since you are using the generator neutral? Also some people told me that when using their generators, they would backfeed through a 2p 30amp breaker. Are breakers designed to protect in either direction? You don't learn stuff like this in the books they sell at home improvement stores!
 
steelersman said:
......And he was also Roosevelt.
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Um, Eisenhower.
smiley_sarcastic.gif
Dwight David, to be exact.
 
In regards to the posted question, a 5500w 6 circuit emergency generator panel has a 20a flanged inlet device factory installed.does anyone foresee a problem with changing the 20a flanged inlet device to a 30a flanged inlet device and changing the o.c.p.d. to a 2p 30a along with running 10awg SO cord to the 8000w generator.The emergency generator panel is rated 10,000 rms and suitable for use as service equipment. My concern was an 8000w portable generator supplying a 5500w rated generator panel, The SO cord, breaker and device can be changed (sized) accordingly,anyone foresee a problem with this installation?
 
gsstaley@sbcglobal.net said:
After " IKE", people are asking about transfer switches for their portable generators. What little I've read doesn't fully answer all the questions I have. I know the main breaker should be turned off ( if there is one!), but should the neutral be disconnected also, since you are using the generator neutral? Also some people told me that when using their generators, they would backfeed through a 2p 30amp breaker. Are breakers designed to protect in either direction? You don't learn stuff like this in the books they sell at home improvement stores!
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Yes they protect "both ways" The code actually references breakers that are back fed.
 
OLDMAN2 said:
In regards to the posted question, a 5500w 6 circuit emergency generator panel has a 20a flanged inlet device factory installed.does anyone foresee a problem with changing the 20a flanged inlet device to a 30a flanged inlet device and changing the o.c.p.d. to a 2p 30a along with running 10awg SO cord to the 8000w generator.?
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Well....the first one that comes to mind is that you'll probably violate the listing of the panel (if it has one), and the second is you'll probably violate the warranty of the generator panel.

Got any model numbers?

steve
 
Generator panel is several years old (beyond warranty) was more concerned from a safety standpoint.Emergency generator panel is a cutler hammer 6 circuit 60 amp fed with a 20a flanged inlet device Model # CH6EGEN2060.Thought about changing out to a 30a flanged inlet device and changing breaker out to a 2p 30a to match 10awg SO cord. 8000w portable generator with factory installed 30amp female 125/250 twist lock plug. Problem is device configurations,was hoping not to change out existing emergency generator panel.
 
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