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How to convert 4 prong 240VAC to 3 prong 240 VAC.

Asked Sep 30, 2008, 04:40 PM — 5 Answers
My generator has a 4 prong 240 VAC outlet. I would like to convert it to the 3 prong 240 VAC house plug to connect it to the transfer panel inside the house. Of course the two live 120 VAC stay, I just do not know what to do with the ground and neutral.

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5 Answers
me22469's Avatar
me22469 Posts: 12, Reputation: 5
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#2

Dec 4, 2008, 06:34 PM
Put ground and neutral under same lug
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stanfortyman's Avatar
stanfortyman Posts: 4,883, Reputation: 1326
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#3

Dec 5, 2008, 03:38 AM


Quote:
Originally Posted by me22469 View Post
put ground and neutral under same lug
NO, do not do this.


Peter, you should NOT have a 3-prong 240v plug at your transfer panel! Who installed this?
You MUST have a 4-wire 120/240v inlet for your transfer switch/panel.

Can you describe the setup a bit better? How is your inlet configured?
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Peter Bernat's Avatar
Peter Bernat Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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#4

Dec 5, 2008, 03:37 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by stanfortyman View Post
NO, do not do this.


Peter, you should NOT have a 3-prong 240v plug at your transfer panel! Who installed this?
You MUST have a 4-wire 120/240v inlet for your transfer switch/panel.

Can you describe the setup a bit better? How is your inlet configured?
My friend installed it. The ground and neutral from the generator are wired together and plugged in to a 3 prong inlet. Connection on the transfer side of the panel are 120 VAC one side 120 VAC the other side and ground/neutral together connected to the ground of the transfer panel. If I change this to separate ground and neutral and connect these accordingly into the panel with appropriate size wire #6 or #8 would this be acceptable?
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maicomais's Avatar
maicomais Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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#5

Jul 27, 2009, 02:16 PM
My generator has a 4 prong circular outlet, and I want to make a extension cord that will convert that to a 3 prong outlet so I can connect my little arc welder to it. How can I do that?
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stanfortyman's Avatar
stanfortyman Posts: 4,883, Reputation: 1326
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#6

Jul 27, 2009, 03:00 PM


Quote:
Originally Posted by maicomais View Post
my generator has a 4 prong circular outlet, and I want to make a extension cord that will convert that to a 3 prong outlet so I can connect my little arc welder to it. How can I do that?
Why not start a new thread since your question is completely unrelated to the original post, which by the way is almost a year old.

In that new thread tell us what the input amperage is of your welder and what the amperage of the twist-lock receptacle is.
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