60 Amp. portable generator hookup to bldg.

angustrees · Jan 11, 2022

I have a 15kw tractor powered WINCO generator delivered last spring & am just getting around to setting it up. The major problem seems to be finding a way of getting the generator 60 Amps to the Main panel. I only find 50 amp power inlet connectors -- female end to male in box. I prefer the safety of a 60 amp. female cord end and a 60 amp. connection in a box.

I need a weather proof exterior box (simply to contain a receptacle, to be mounted next to & wired directly into interlocked breakers in the main entrance breaker panel), that will accept female end of 12-15' power cord from generator. HVAC breakers shown will be moved to accommodate the 60 Amp. Gen breakers.

Pic shows MAIN box with safety cover. I have an interlock device to prevent cross or back feeding high line.

And I would also need the female cord END that would connect into that box. Any experience here?

grsthegreat · Jan 11, 2022

Ive never seen a 60 amp. They do make a 100 amp input…..major expensive.

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newbury · Jan 11, 2022

What about this?
New Generator Power Connection Kit 60 or 100 amp 3P 4W 250V Plug & Receptacle | eBay

still pricy

Halftrack · Jan 11, 2022

Why not wire your 12 to 15' cord directly to the 60 amp double breaker and take the cord outside the main breaker box (in conduit) to a cord storage box (usually some type of ammo box). When needed, position your genny, attach the cord, start and allow genny to warm up, flip genny breakers, and lastly your 60 amp double. (works for me) good luck!!!!

Hall00 · Jan 11, 2022

Sounds like you need NEMA 18-60 connections.

I used NEMA 14-50s for my 15kw pto gen. It has a 240V 50A breaker.

You should be able to buy an RV hookup style box and put whatever outlet you need in it.

grsthegreat · Jan 11, 2022

Problem is a generator inlet box is a specialized male fitting. They dont make a standard 60 amp unit.

Hall00 · Jan 12, 2022

18-60 is a standard NEMA plug. Just not seen very often.

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mo1 · Jan 19, 2022

What you want to do is to simply use a 50 amp setup. Use the widely available California Special 50 amp flanged (male) inlet boxes available from Reliance or Generac or such, the matching plug on a 6/4 flex cord that is widely available for about $10/foot, and connect the flex cord to your generator. In the breaker panel, use a 50 amp breaker for your backfed breaker. This is exactly what I did for my setup. I was originally going to run a 25 kW generator (tractor could run a 40 easily) on a 100 amp circuit but the issues with cabling and connectors for more than 50 amps was a deal breaker. So I got a 12 kW unit and used the 50 amp gear.

If you want more than 50 amps, you will need to use a very expensive pin and sleeve inlet like what newbury linked to, that 100 amp pin and sleeve connector is about $600. You will also need 4/4 SO cable at $25 per foot for 60 amps. (FYI, the largest 4 conductor SO cable only generally comes in sizes up to 2 AWG good for 80 amps, larger than that and you are using mine cable or something else esoteric.) The 18-60 plugs and receptacles Hall00 linked to are not appropriate. First of all, they are regular plugs and receptacles and not inlets, you would be dealing with trying to plug a receptacle on the end of your flex cord into a plug mounted in a box, that is backwards. Secondly, those are 120/208 volt 3 phase ungrounded parts, you have 120/240 grounded, you would use a 14-60 plug and receptacle (which also exist) if you could use regular plugs and cords instead of needing an inlet.