60 Amp. portable generator hookup to bldg.

[angustrees]

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]

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

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[newbury]

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

still pricy

 

[Hall00]

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]

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

 

[Hall00]

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

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[mo1]

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.

 

[mikester]

Talk to an electrician or go to an electric supplier and buy a fused disconnect and an outdoor 60A wall mount receptacle (aka weld plug).

 

[workinonit]

I use these. I had to get them in 100 amp for my 25 KW Winco but they sure make hookup a snap.

 

[workinonit]

BTW, that is an Appleton 60 amp welding receptacle. Obviously you can get the plugs for it. It is weather tight.