Portable Generator Cables

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

Any ideas for cable for large, 3 phase generators?

I see large portable cables listed, #1 to 4/0 but they don’t seem to be actually available.

The panels on these don’t have the ability to accept a flexible conduit.

I had one generator manufacturer tell me to use Service Entrance cable, but I that would only work if you had the ability to bury it. As far as I know.

 

[tom baker]

Type W cables and camlock connectors. The camlock panels require a specific sequence to connect and disconnect. One genny I did had a micro switch on the last connector that would dump the generator main if the connector was rotated to disconnect.

 

[zbang]

Types W or SC, rent from Sunbelt/Agreko/TempPower/etc; the rental companies also have (almost) all the distribution gear you could want.

 

[Cow]

What Tom said.

Type W and camlocks.

Q-934D_15_16_18_Series_UL1691_Compliant_Connectors_PB.pdf (leviton.com)

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

Yeah Type W I was having trouble finding.

Those cam locks, do they terminate direct to the lugs?

 

[tom baker]

It can, you can wire a camlock pigtail to the lugs . A cam lock is a disconnect female male connector. Very (and I mean very) common in portable power for cardinals, fairs, outdoor events, etc. Look at Leviton to get started

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

Thank you very much guys.

I appreciate all the education I get here.

 

[tom baker]

Me too. In the Leviton link there is a picture of a portable generator with camlock pigtails...
Crouse Hinds also makes cam lock. Cam locks and Type W cable are a much better alternative than the big old heavy pin and sleeve connectors

 

[zbang]

BTW, you'll hear the bare-end-to-camlock called a pigtail, a tail, and very occasionally a pig. Use fine-strand lugs with this cable.... I try to keep a set of my own for when the generator doesn't have lugs at all.

Also- https://www.lexproductslibrary.com/BookshelfView/# and https://www.trystar.com/resource-area/. (I've bought a fair amount from Trystar over the years, it's good stuff.)