Portable Generator Receptacles

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robtn95 said:

There's a photo of the full control panel for the Wgen here. If it matches, the main breaker isn't with the others, but is instead located to the left of the portion shown in the picture.
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That makes sense. It does seem odd to have the two 30 amp breakers as shown in Bill's photo. If they're only for the 30 amp receptacle then one could trip independently of the other. I guess if you looked up the schematic that would tell the whole story of how it's wired.

Welcome to the Forum. :)
 
robtn95 said:

There's a photo of the full control panel for the Wgen here. If it matches, the main breaker isn't with the others, but is instead located to the left of the portion shown in the picture.
Click to expand...
The pics I posted were taken by the customer so that's all I have to go on. However, the link you posted and the pic of the Westinghouse, it certainly appears to be the same unit.
With that said, nothing in the link told what size the main breaker is. Even if the main is a 50A, the load would be powered off one of the 30A breakers. So the load from either of the 240V receptacles is limited to 30A.
 
Little Bill said:
With that said, nothing in the link told what size the main breaker is. Even if the main is a 50A, the load would be powered off one of the 30A breakers. So the load from either of the 240V receptacles is limited to 30A.
Click to expand...
Is it possible the two buttons labeled "30A" are single pole breakers, for the two legs of the L14-30 receptacle, and that 14-50 receptacle is protected only by the main?

Cheers, Wayne
 
infinity said:
That makes sense. It does seem odd to have the two 30 amp breakers as shown in Bill's photo. If they're only for the 30 amp receptacle then one could trip independently of the other. I guess if you looked up the schematic that would tell the whole story of how it's wired.

Welcome to the Forum. :)
Click to expand...
I did read the specs and saw this....
Gasoline Running Amps

36A - 240V
79A - 120V

So I'm thinking any loads on either of the 240V receptacles are covered by the 30A breakers, and if anything is plugged in to the 120V receptacles it would be in addition to the 30A and limited to 50A total, covered by the 20A breaker(s) and the main breaker.
 
Little Bill said:
I did read the specs and saw this....
Gasoline Running Amps

36A - 240V
79A - 120V

So I'm thinking any loads on either of the 240V receptacles are covered by the 30A breakers, and if anything is plugged in to the 120V receptacles it would be in addition to the 30A and limited to 50A total, covered by the 20A breaker(s) and the main breaker.
Click to expand...
Well, I have to retract part of what I said here. I found the owner's manual and it said the two 30A breakers are for each leg of the 14-30 receptacle. Makes sense at it would be the same as a 2-pole breaker in a load center.

120/240 Volt AC, 50 Amp NEMA 14-50R
Receptacle: Receptacle can supply a maximum
of 50 Amps.
9. Ground Terminal: The ground terminal is used to
externally ground the generator.
10. 30 Amp AC Circuit Breakers: Circuit breakers
limits the current that can be delivered through each
leg of the NEMA 14-30R receptacle to 30 Amps.
Click to expand...
 
That's the same way mine works. Using two single 30A breakers for the 30A 120/240 receptacle is uncommon for what we are used to, but seems common in portable generators. I don't even know if it is obvious when one of those button type breakers trip.

Also glad to see that the generator says on its faceplate whether the neutral is bonded or floating. When I was shopping for generators 15 years ago, it was rarely mentioned. I had to check with a meter to find out after I bought it, as the manual mentioned nothing about it. If most generators are bonded neutral now, I may have hozed myself by installing a transfer switch with a solid neutral unless there are factory provisions to unbond.
 
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