Advice on Generator Backup Wiring

[adeoghert]

I need advice on how to wire up my generator to my house.

The house has already installed a manual transfer switch the services a sub panel for critical circuits. The main panel and sub panel are in the basement and the wire for the backup generator runs into the garage.

During our last outage I realized that using a 5kw watt generator I could not get a lot of the circuits powered even though the usage was less than 1kw.

Today I found out a few things
The transfer switch is wired for 240v, I suspect that I only power one half the way the connection is currently set up.
I have 3 wires (red, black, white) and a naked ground from the transfer switch to the generator hookup, but at connection box, red connected to white, black to black and the white to green (see image).

My question is what changes I need to make.

My thoughts are to change from a 3 wire black/white/green to a 4 wire black/red/white/green with the connection similar to what we have from the switch and the naked ground connected to green.

 

[RNeumann]

The box you show is probably wired for the 240v but either without the neutral (somewhat normal) or without the ground (not so good).

You don’t really explain what the “box” is or does. Nor do you tell us what your gen is- 240v or 120v.

Based on you lack of knowledge on the subject I’d be inclined to suggest you phone a friend or hire an electrician to help you out.

 

[kenmac]

Based on you lack of knowledge on the subject I’d be inclined to suggest you phone a friend or hire an electrician to help you out.

From what I read,I concur with that statement.

 

[adeoghert]

You don稚 really explain what the 澱ox is or does. Nor do you tell us what your gen is- 240v or 120v.

Box is in garage where connection to generator is made, changeover switch is in the basement 30 ft away.

 

[goeduck]

Box is in garage where connection to generator is made, changeover switch is in the basement 30 ft away.

View attachment 614731

Coming from the generator looks to be two blacks and a dirty white. From the transfer switch a black, a red, a white and a ground. I would not connect like that but it really depends on how it is connected at the generator. I would keep white to white, black to black and the other black to red. Actually I would get matching wire colors. I suggest an electrician, there is not enough information here. Who made this connection? Is your generator 240V?

 

[adeoghert]

Coming from the generator looks to be two blacks and a dirty white. From the transfer switch a black, a red, a white and a ground. I would not connect like that but it really depends on how it is connected at the generator. I would keep white to white, black to black and the other black to red. Actually I would get matching wire colors. I suggest an electrician, there is not enough information here. Who made this connection? Is your generator 240V?

The generator is 120/240v

If you look at the transfer switch, it is a 240V switch. There are two black live wires and a white neutral for the line and for the aux we have a black and red live wires and a white neutral.

 

[RoyKing]

Nothing needs to be changed, buy yourself HARBOR freight multimeter. What we can't see is the connection at the generator. When the Gen is running find out what two wires give you 240. since you only have three wires. They will line1, line 2, neutral, the generator will not be grounded.

 

[gary49]

You need a 4 wire flexible cord and a 4 prong male plug that connects to the generator receptacle. Not sure what the person who wired this was thinking. What should be the neutral (dirty white conductor) coming from the generator is jumpered to what is presumably a hot conductor, which should give you a short. I suspect the black wire that connects to the white conductor is connected to the neutral prong on the plug you have now. I'd like to see how the plug end of the 3 wire cord you have now was connected. I wouldn't use this setup until you get it corrected. Also would be good to see a picture of the generator receptacle.

 

[adeoghert]

I have been using this connection with a portable generator both using a 5-15 plug and an L14-30 plug.

Former owner used a 25Kw PTO generator with a 6-50

 

[BHD]

Green or bare, ground,

white wire should be neutral,

red wire should be hot,

Black wire should be hot,

Hot to neutral should be 110/120 volts, hot to hot should be about 220/240,

ground to neutral , should be 0 volts, hot to ground should 110/120 volts,

since I don't know how other things are wired,

post 4 , looks like a neutral and a hot is miss wired,

but looks to me like you need some one who knows what is going on, to help you out, before you fry some thing,

 

[adeoghert]

Thanks everyone

 

[zzvyb6]

As men we all want to do things ourself. 1) to save money 2) because we are men.
Please people there are times in your life you absolutely need to hire a professional for the sake of safety sake.
We men are not proficient at all things no matter what we all think. We don't know what we don't know and when it comes to electricity and gas lines CALL A PROFESSIONAL!.

Last week I called a professional plumber to install a gas BBQ grill to an existing gas line at my house.

Now as a "man" it was a simple install, no need to call a plumber - right. This is simple, just remove the gas line cap
and screw on the BBQ grill gas line - five minute jib at the most - RIGHT!

Who needs to spend $100.00 to a plumber for a five minute job- Right!

Something was talking to me, 1) because a house just blew up here in California and killed a man digging near a gas line.

I broke down, swallowed my macho pride and called a plumber.

He did things I would have NEVER THOUGHT OF. He checked the main connection from the meter before he did any work, (I would not have done that)
He found two leaks. One leak on my side and one leak on the gas company side.

He fixed the leak on my side, installed the BBQ grill charged me $150.00 and called the gas company who arrived within the hour to fix their side.

No think of all this for a minute. Had I installed the BBQ the leaks would still be leaking maybe for years or until a flame got near the leak and blew the house up
and killed me and my family.

So I ask you amateur electricians ( and I'm one of you ) and all you amateur plumbers (and I'm one of you) did I spend my $150.00 well - You bet my life I did.

Stop trying to be an expert ant everything by seeking bad advice from internet electricians, plumbers, etc. Know your limits and working on electricity and gas lines best
be left to professionals.

That's the best advice on this whole site, even for tractors, tires and vehicle repairs. I even have a 'stylist' cutting my hair now. No more strangers staring at me...