Generlink question

B

blueheels2

Senior Member
Location
Raleigh, NC
Occupation
Electrical contractor
I have a customer that wants a Generlink. That's the easy part. Meter is on one side of the house and he has a battery backup that he wants to put in his garage. He's got a nice yard and doesn't want the cord outside all of the time. Additionally he doesn't want his wife to have to do al to of work to hook it up if he's not home.
So here is the question I have or scenario. I install the Generlink and cut the male cord off of the generator cord and install a generator female. That provides a cord from the Generlink to the inlet on the house. That inlet will have wire running to another inlet in the garage, where the battery backup is.
I can't think of any reason this wouldn't be a legal install. Im pretty sure Generlink wouldn't like it but oh well. Its safe on both ends. Its not a suicide cord. But they don't make this setup on a shelf that Im aware of.
 
LarryFine said:
It still sounds like you have a section with two male ends.
Click to expand...
Yeah I think in this setup there will always be the possibility of power being present when you open the inlet. I would know how to operate it so that there was never power in the inlet but I can't rely on the customer to do that.
Thanks I was thinking of the inlet as female and safe, but it isn't really. If you flip the cover the prongs are exposed and someone could get hurt.
 
blueheels2 said:
Yeah I think in this setup there will always be the possibility of power being present when you open the inlet. I would know how to operate it so that there was never power in the inlet but I can't rely on the customer to do that.
Thanks I was thinking of the inlet as female and safe, but it isn't really. If you flip the cover the prongs are exposed and someone could get hurt.
Click to expand...
This system requires a breaker interlock and the inlet would only be energized when connected to the female end of the cord from the generator.
 
LarryFine said:
Why can't you keep the gender direction consistent?

Use an outlet instead of an inlet in the appropriate place?
Click to expand...
Not a bad idea. Leave the male end, put a Nema 3r receptacle outside , and then a generator inlet in the garage. No exposed parts anywhere.

Thanks I think that’s the way to go. For some reason I was thinking they didn’t make a 4 wire 50 amp receptacle for outside but they do. It’s an RV box. I’m gettting old and starting to forget some things. Loll I put one in for a buddy about a year ago.
 
Why not just install a transfer switch and hardwire to an inlet in the garage?

Curious about an inlet in a garage though. What happens when the battery generator runs out, so someone goes and sticks a gas generator in the garage?
 
blueheels2 said:
Not a bad idea. Leave the male end, put a Nema 3r receptacle outside , and then a generator inlet in the garage. No exposed parts anywhere.

Thanks I think that’s the way to go.
Click to expand...

VirutalElectrician said:
Why not just install a transfer switch and hardwire to an inlet in the garage?

Curious about an inlet in a garage though. What happens when the battery generator runs out, so someone goes and sticks a gas generator in the garage?
Click to expand...
Typically in my inspected installs it’s not questioned. It’s understood with the customer if they use a generator they need a long cord. Never failed. I’m not aware of anything the code that says no inlet in the garage?

As far as the transfer switch he’s got a weird setup, 90 amp panel in the house, 6 ckt meter main outside that is full. So this is the economical way that also I allows him to pick and choose from his entire electrical system minus the stove. Has some smallish heat pumps that will work on the generator.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top