Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Electrical & Lighting (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=105)
-   -   Making an extension cord to connect a 240 generator circuit to a 240 house circuit. (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=254520)

  • Aug 29, 2008, 05:28 PM
    ggalante
    Making an extension cord to connect a 240 generator circuit to a 240 house circuit.
    How doo you wire a 4 wire 240 volt plug for a generator to a 3 wire 240 volt house circuit.

    Thank you... Guy
  • Aug 29, 2008, 05:49 PM
    stanfortyman
    YOU DO NOT!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

    You use a transfer switch or main breaker interlock.
  • Aug 29, 2008, 06:04 PM
    Washington1
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ggalante
    How doo you wire a 4 wire 240 volt plug for a generator to a 3 wire 240 volt house circut.

    Thank you...Guy

    ggalante, where did you get this idea from?

    If it's from your neighbors, then steer clear--they are on the wrong page!
  • Aug 29, 2008, 06:43 PM
    ex_code_jock
    If it's a 4 wire 220, it has 2 hot legs, one neutral leg and one groud (much like an electric oven) it has 2 hots because its 220, it has a neutral because it has some components that operate on 110 (so it pulls 110 off one on the hot legs and sends it back via the neutral), usually the timer or a light on an appliance.
    A 3 wire (say for an central air unit) only has 2 hots and a groud, it doesn't have a neutral because there is nothing operating at 110volts in it...

    So, yes, you don't do it
  • Aug 30, 2008, 04:09 AM
    stanfortyman
    While this is true Jock, that is the far lesser of the reasons.

    The real reason is that: 1) making a "suicide cord"is just about one of the STUPIDEST things you could ever do (I would hope for obvious reasons), and 2) by doing this there is no "transfer" action.
    There IS the real chance the utility will be back fed and that someone will be hurt or killed.

    I don't care so much about the person who makes a cord like this, Darwin will take care of them in the end, it's their unsuspecting families and the utility workers who will suffer.
  • Aug 30, 2008, 04:11 AM
    stanfortyman
    I see the OP was on at 9:44pm last night, yet did not reply.

    I hope he got the message.
  • Aug 30, 2008, 01:38 PM
    Washington1
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by stanfortyman
    I see the OP was on at 9:44pm last night, yet did not reply.

    I hope he got the message.

    He'll get it, once he or she is in handcuffs. :eek: :rolleyes:
  • Aug 30, 2008, 04:40 PM
    ggalante
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by stanfortyman
    While this is true Jock, that is the far lesser of the reasons.

    The real reason is that: 1) making a "suicide cord"is just about one of the STUPIDEST things you could ever do (I would hope for obvious reasons), and 2) by doing this there is no "transfer" action.
    There IS the real chance the utility will be back fed and that someone will be hurt or killed.

    I don't care so much about the person who makes a cord like this, Darwin will take care of them in the end, it's their unsuspecting families and the utility workers who will suffer.


    Thank you all. I will look at getting a transfer switch.

    Guy :)
  • Aug 30, 2008, 05:37 PM
    Washington1
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ggalante
    Thank you all. I will look at getting a transfer switch.

    Guy :)

    Now this is the kind of DIY we are looking for!! Someone who is willing to listen, and act on what we know as professionals!!

    ;) ;) ;)
  • Sep 4, 2011, 08:05 PM
    joeblow100
    What about if the MAIN breaker is pulled - don't have power lines down - can't get back to transmission lines
  • Sep 4, 2011, 08:55 PM
    stanfortyman
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by joeblow100 View Post
    what about if the MAIN breaker is pulled - don't have power lines down - can't get back to transmission lines

    Try and justify it all you want. It's still not right or safe. Even three years later.

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:49 AM.