Electrical ???...Generator Hook Up

[rbertalotto]

I know this isn't welding, but I also know there are electricians on this site....

i bought a 5000w portable generator to replace a unit that isn't running well.

The last unit had a three prong 230V outlet that I simply made a wire to go to the three connectors on my 50A welder outlet in the garage (NEMA C6-50) and I back-feed my panel (after disconnecting from the street and only activating critical need circuit breakers)

But this new generator has a 4-Prong 230V outlet (NEMA L14-30 plug needed)

I bought a 6' piece of 6-3 with a ground to go between the L14-30 and the C6-50.

The question is, what do I do with the ground wire? The welder outlet has two "hot" wires and a "neutral"....There is no ground.....

Do I simply disregard it or tie it into the neutral?

Thanks in advance.

[duaneb55]

The 4-prong L14-30 on the new generator is to maintain NEC compliance for 115v circuits with regard to a safety ground circuit (the ground wire). For 230v circuits you obviouly don't need a neutral BUT the ground is still there for safety reasons in the event one of the hot legs shorts to the housing/frame of a 230v appliance should the neutral circuit ever become open. Is the third prong on the welder outlet connected to the neutral or earth ground buss bar? It should be to the ground for the purpose of feeding your welder but would be to the neutral for generator back-feed.

In light of the fact your welder plug is only a 3-prong, for your 'back-up generator' application you can do one of at least three things:

1) Replace the welder feed circuit, outlet and plug with 3/C w/ground and 4-prong connectors to provide the normal two hots and one neutral plus the new safety ground.
2) Leave the safety ground disconnected in your 'back feed' plug and secure with a wire nut to prevent shorting to either of the hot leads (NEC doesn't like cut off conductors).
3) Connect the safety ground of your 6/3 to the neutral (although this would work I don't think NEC wants to see this - the only tie-in of the neutral and safety ground should be at the main panel IIRC).

BTW, I'm NOT a licensed electrician but I believe I have listed your options in the order of preference that one would suggest.

[rbertalotto]

I just checked in my electrical panel. My welder circuit does indeed have two hots and a "ground" (not a neutral)

Therefore, I'm simply using the two hot legs and the ground on the L14-30 and disregarding the neutral leg.

Thanks a million for clarification.........

[duaneb55]

For the purpose of generator back-feeding I would recommend using the neutral as the neutral should be the larger of the two conductors when compared with the ground in your 6/3 w/ ground and is how it would be with a 'pre 4-prong' three prong arrangement and you will be powering 115v circuits that should be using the neutral at a minimum.

[Broccoli1]

Or just have peace of mind

http://www.gen-tran.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=30216V
:)

[duaneb55]

Or just have piece of mind

http://www.gen-tran.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=30216V
:)

There ya go! Look, there's that 4-prong.:D

Although rbertalotto, this type is intended for back at the main panel to feed designated circuits in the house rather than a 'back-feed' arrangement from the garage. And with these there's no danger of back-feeding the pole (if you forget to open the main breaker) as only the designated circuits are affected which disconnect from the main feed when they get transferred over to the generator but I suspect you're already familiar with these.:)

[rbertalotto]

Thanks Duane.

Fact of the matter is, I use the back up generator maybe once or twice a year. When we first moved out to the "country" we were losing power once a week! And sometimes for days at a time. Now that there is more development out here,l this problem has gone away.

I'd love to install a manual transfer switch. But my main electrical panel is 60 feet away on the other end of the house. And if I understand correctly, the MTS needs to be next to the main panel for ease of wiring.

I need to consult an electrician on the code to bring the feed from the generator (which will be in the garage) across the house and to the MTS.

Thanks for your help...........