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View Full Version : Wiring cord for my transfer switch.


odd6hunter
Jan 16, 2008, 12:39 PM
Just bought my generator now to hook it up to the transfer switch. The generator came with a 4 prong 220 plug to fit the receptacle on the gen set. The house has a 4 prong receptacle. I bought a plug to match the house receptacle. How do I make sure that I wire the two plugs together that when I plug the gen set into the house it works the way it should.

tkrussell
Jan 16, 2008, 02:03 PM
Black and red each connect to brass terminals, of which there should be two. The white connects to a silver/nickel terminal, and the green connects to the green terminal.

To be sure all will work when needed, use a volt meter to measure 240 volts across the black and red, 120 volts across black to white, red to white, black to green, and red to green.

KISS
Jan 16, 2008, 02:09 PM
Don't forget to remove the neutral to ground bond in the generator when using it for the house.

odd6hunter
Jan 16, 2008, 03:49 PM
Don't forget to remove the neutral to ground bond in the generator when using it for the house.

Don't want to sound dumd but what do you mean by removeing the neutral to ground bond in the generator when using it for the house. How do you do this.

odd6hunter
Jan 16, 2008, 03:51 PM
Don't forget to remove the neutral to ground bond in the generator when using it for the house. Don't want to sound dumb but what do you mean removeing the neutral to ground bond in the generator when using it for the house. How would you do this.

Stratmando
Jan 16, 2008, 04:42 PM
You Manual should show where this bonding point is.
You say your house has a receptacle?
You should not use suicide cords,(Male prongs on both sides of your cord)To be safe it should be a Male receptacle in the house, Does your transfer switch handle load of whole house? Manual?

odd6hunter
Jan 16, 2008, 05:42 PM
You Manual should show where this bonding point is.
You say your house has a recepticle?
You should not use suicide cords,(Male prongs on both sides of your cord)To be safe it should be a Male recepticle in the house, Does your transfer switch handle load of whole house? Manual?
This is a new house and I had the transfer switch added when it was built. There is a sub panel that feeds things like septic pump, freezer, fridge, and some lights and other curcuits. The transfer switch is manual and is feed by a recessed male plug.

KISS
Jan 16, 2008, 06:12 PM
At some point in the generator ground is connected to neutral. This connection should be removable. This is the correct way when the generator is acting by itself.

When you connect a generator to the house, the main panel connects the neutral and ground together.

Having two points of zero volts reference causes problems, particularly for the generator. Current can flow in the ground wire from the generator and the main panel. This condition is not good.