Wiring Generator Inlet

10203 Views 20 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Agent0070, Oct 24, 2013

LVDIY

Discussion Starter · Dec 28, 2012

I am about to start making a permanent hookup for a portable generator. The plan is to install a manual transfer switch and to put a remote inlet on the wall of my attached garage.

So for the wiring, my plan is to run 10-3 romex from the panel, across the basement and go through the rim joist and into the garage. From there I was thinking of running conduit straight up the wall and into a surface mounted 30 amp inlet box. The walls in the garage are dry wall.

My questions are these:

1. Is it OK to run romex in conduit like this?

2. Would it be better to just fish the wire behind the drywall and come out straight into the back of the inlet box?

3. How high off the floor should the inlet box be, and are there any other requirements for placement?

4. Anything else I should think of?

Thanks!

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

jbfan

· #2 · Dec 29, 2012

LVDIY said:
I am about to start making a permanent hookup for a portable generator. The plan is to install a manual transfer switch and to put a remote inlet on the wall of my attached garage.

So for the wiring, my plan is to run 10-3 romex from the panel, across the basement and go through the rim joist and into the garage. From there I was thinking of running conduit straight up the wall and into a surface mounted 30 amp inlet box. The walls in the garage are dry wall.

My questions are these:

1. Is it OK to run romex in conduit like this?

Yes, as long as you do not go outside, then it has to be uf cable

2. Would it be better to just fish the wire behind the drywall and come out straight into the back of the inlet box?

Can you get it behind the drywall without cutting holes?

3. How high off the floor should the inlet box be, and are there any other requirements for placement?

None!

4. Anything else I should think of?

Thanks!

Answers in blue.

LVDIY

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 29, 2012

Thanks jbfan!

I can probably fish the wire behind the drywall if i fool around with it a little. But if I can place this anywhere on the wall, then I guess I could just place the box right over the hole where I'm coming through from the basement, eliminating the need for conduit or wire fishing.

One more thing, I just realized I have a garden hose spigot next to where I'm planning on coming through the wall, are there any distance from a water source requirement for an inlet like this?

jbfan

· #4 · Dec 29, 2012

I just wouldn't put it underneath.

LVDIY

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 29, 2012

jbfan said:
I just wouldn't put it underneath.

I'll try to avoid that :whistling2:

Thanks for your help!

brric

· #6 · Dec 29, 2012

Please don't run that generator inside the garage.:no:

LVDIY

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 29, 2012

brric said:
Please don't run that generator inside the garage.:no:

Don't worry, I'm only putting the inlet in the garage :wink:

Reactions: 1

LVDIY

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 29, 2012

so I'm thinking I'll probably run conduit from where the wire comes through the drywall and about 2ft up the wall and into the surface mounted box.

How do I transition from where the wire comes through the drywall to the conduit? Can I just get a 90 degree elbow and stick one end into the hole in the drywall and connect the other end to the conduit running up to the box?

Agent0070

· #9 · Oct 19, 2013 (Edited)

I am looking to do the exact same setup. My basement panel is right next to and below my attached garage. Having the inlet on the garage wall right above would protect it from weather and I could just run the generator cord under the door outside to the generator in my driveway. It seems like the easiest install. My question is the 10-3 wire would be exposed for 2-3 feet running up the garage wall from where it come out from the basement up to the inlet box. I have read that you can't put nmb inside a conduit, though. I believe the wire needs to be protected I'd it is exposed on the outside of the drywall though. It is acceptable to just have that small 2-3 foot section in conduit for protection?

Also, I have 25' of 10awg SOOW 4 wire. Can this be used instead of buying 10-3 Romex? Link below.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003FOBLHY/ref=ya_aw_oh_pit

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raylo32

· #10 · Oct 19, 2013

I did similar... I installed my inlet box on an exterior siding wall directly behind where I installed the transfer switch. Used romex inside corrugated conduit to connect the 2. When you are done put a bead of clear silicone or caulk around your inlet box.

Reactions: 1

Philly Master

· #11 · Oct 19, 2013

LVDIY said:
Don't worry, I'm only putting the inlet in the garage :wink:

putting the outlet in the garage is not a good idea .....there are requirements of how far the running gen is from a door or window ....

Put the outlet OUTSIDE ..!!!

most GENERATOR outlets are made to be put outside they are weatherproof ...

circuitman

· #12 · Oct 19, 2013

NO, soow wire can not be used for permanent wiring only romex!:thumbsup:

Philly Master

· #13 · Oct 19, 2013

Agent0070 said:
I am looking to do the exact same setup. My basement panel is right next to and below my attached garage. Having the inlet on the garage wall right above would protect it from weather and I could just run the generator cord under the door outside to the generator in my driveway. It seems like the easiest install. My question is the 10-3 wire would be exposed for 2-3 feet running up the garage wall from where it come out from the basement up to the inlet box. I have read that you can't put nmb inside a conduit, though. I believe the wire needs to be protected I'd it is exposed on the outside of the drywall though. It is acceptable to just have that small 2-3 foot section in conduit for protection?

Also, I have 25' of 10awg SOOW 4 wire. Can this be used instead of buying 10-3 Romex? Link below.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003FOBLHY/ref=ya_aw_oh_pit

yes u can put NM wire in conduit ... just not in WET locations ..

400.8 Uses Not Permitted. Unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the following:

(1)

As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure

(2)

Where run through holes in walls, structural ceilings, suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors

(3)

Where run through doorways, windows, or similar openings

(4)

Where attached to building surfaces

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4

Agent0070

· #14 · Oct 23, 2013

Philly Master said:
putting the outlet in the garage is not a good idea .....there are requirements of how far the running gen is from a door or window .... Put the outlet OUTSIDE ..!!! most GENERATOR outlets are made to be put outside they are weatherproof ...

In my case the inlet would be just inside the garage door. The generator had a 30 feet cord so it can be located about 27 feet away from the house if needed. Do I think distance to a door or window will not be an issue. It is just easier to wire and mount the inlet this way and provides easy access . The Reliant inlet I have is waterproof when not in use, but not when in use.

Philly Master

· #15 · Oct 23, 2013

Agent0070 said:
In my case the inlet would be just inside the garage door. The generator had a 30 feet cord so it can be located about 27 feet away from the house if needed. Do I think distance to a door or window will not be an issue. It is just easier to wire and mount the inlet this way and provides easy access . The Reliant inlet I have is waterproof when not in use, but not when in use.

LOL first problem ......Reliant

try this ... outlet is on the BOTTOM and panel is completely customizable to each persons needs .....

this is a kit >> cord, panel, and outlet ..

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Agent0070

· #16 · Oct 23, 2013

I'm using a GE interlock kit made for my GE panel. $45 for interlock. Approx. $50 for inlet. Buy some Romex, a breaker, etc. A lot cheaper and more versatile IMO, but I don't want to start a whole transfer switch vs interlock debate as it had been done before.

Philly Master

· #17 · Oct 23, 2013

the suggestion ... that i showed does the same thing from a versitility point of view.. and is 100% legal ..in all places ....and does not void the UL listing of the panel ....

oh did u get a permit and have it inspected ??? :whistling2:

Agent0070

· #18 · Oct 24, 2013

Interlock kit is ill listed made by the manufacturer of the panel. It does not void the warranty.

Philly Master

· #19 · Oct 24, 2013

1) ...

The short answer:

UL Listed means that samples of the product has been tested and found to meet applicable standards.
UL Recognized applies to components that meet applicable standards but they may need to be incorporated in specific ways in order to be safely used. For example, a UL Recognized switch may require an enclosure, faceplate, and proper assembly.
Assembled from UL Recognized parts doesn't mean much of anything. The components may be UL Recognized but the finished product might be a disaster waiting to happen... or not. For example, a switch may be UL Recognized, and duct tape may be UL Recognized, but wrapping a switch in duct tape... well I'll leave you to decide.

2) ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UL_(safety_organization)

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Philly Master

· #20 · Oct 24, 2013

OOPS !!!!!

"General
To comply with the National Electrical Code and Underwriters Laboratories, the Generator Interlock kit must be installed in accordance with the information contained in this sheet and by a qualified electrical contractor and/or licensed electrician."

from GE manufactuers instruction sheet ......

http://www.geindustrial.com/publibr...ype=Installation and Instruction&target=_self

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