Generator Hookup

underk1979

What I am looking to do? I'm looking to hookup a generator to my home in-case of a power outage to run the necessary items. I searched multiple forms and asked around and I'm getting different feedback.

I plan on purchasing a 9375 starting watts with 7500 running watts. It will have 120/240 Volt AC, 30 Amp (L14-30R). I'm going to install an outside receptacle which the generator will plug into, then I going to run a wire from the receptacle to my breaker box and connect that to a 30 Amp breaker. To meet code, I'm going to install an interlock kit system in which you MUST have the main power off in order to throw on the breaker for the generator. It is no more then a 25 foot run from the receptacle box to the breaker box.

My question is, what gauge wire do I need to run? Some sites are saying 10/4 and some are saying 8/4. What do I really need to run?

Once I have the wire ran back to the breaker, I connect the black and red to the breaker. Do the white and green go together to the neural bar?

That is all the questions I have and if you need a picture I can provide. T

Thank You

Stubbie

Not surprising at all

10/4 is rated 30 amps, so that's all you need your length of run isn't enough to cause an upsize in the cable awg. Do not use power cord from the power inlet box to the panel. Use house wiring like 10/3 with Grd NM-B (romex).

If the panel is the service equipment (place where the first means of disconnect is located for the homes power) then you should see them connected together on the same bar. If there is anything different than that post a picture.

__________________
" One nice thing about the NEC articles ... you have lots of choices"

Stubbie

kbsparky

Please do not install an outside receptacle. That would be a Code violation.

You need to install an inlet.

__________________
-KB

Life is uncertain -- eat dessert first!!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Stubbie

Good point ...I just figured he was referencing a power inlet only using the term receptacle.

Anyway one of these

__________________
" One nice thing about the NEC articles ... you have lots of choices"

Stubbie

underk1979

First I would like to say I meant an inlet box, not a receptacle. I guess the wire that I need is really 10 / 3 to go from the inlet box back to my 30 amp breaker?

I'm attaching a photo of my panel because I just want to make sure I get my wires correct. The black and red will go on the 30 amp breaker and then the white and ground will go to the neutral bar?

Is that the correct way of doing it?

My picture is to big to attach, do you have an email address that I could send it to? (Stubbie)

mikegp

I figured I'd bump this rather than make a new thread. Is there 10-4 required anywhere for a generator? I thought it would be 10-3 from the inlet back to the breaker, but I see the inlet has 4 prongs.

mikegp

Also I've heard people say you could use 12 gauge. Is that acceptable?

Jim Port

You need the 4 conductors to bring the 2 hots, 1 neutral and 1 ground into the panel.

The #12 is not acceptable for 30 amp usage.

__________________
Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

Bobka

...don't forget to split the ground(green) and nuetral (white) at your nuetral bar....they should not go under the same screw!!..your are confused..10/3 with ground is what they are refering to...black/red/white/ground is 10/3..this is what you will need for this app...10 awg is rated at 30 amps...should be orange in color..

mikegp

Ahhh, thanks. I always forget that the ground doesn't count.

Also, do most people have 10 gauge for their drier receptacle? I have 12, but I know people back feed off of that. I'm not going to do that, just curious. The only 10 gauge in my house is for my two ac units.