I have a Husky 3750 watt generator. I want to make my own cord with 4 prong head on one end and 3 prong on the other. I have already made the cord but am unsure of the way I have it wired. On the 4 prong side I wired it white to white, black to black, green to green, and jumper from black to X. On the 3 pron side is white to neutral and black on one hot and green to the other hot? Is this correct and will 12 gauge wire be good enough? Please respond asap. Thanks.

I am attempting to make my own extension cord out of 12 gauge wire with a 4 prong plug on one end and a 3 prong on the other to plug into my dryer receptacle in the event of a power outage. I am unsure of my wiring on the 4 prong plug. I have the green to green, white to white and the black to Y and left X empty as I would assume X is neutral. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

<Note the reference to Dryer Receptacle guys - KISS>

12 AWG is rated for no higher than 20 AMPS. What voltage is your generator create? 10 AWG is rated at 30 Amp. 8 AWG is rated at 40 Amp.

3750 (watts)/120 (Voltage) = 31.25 Amps. <NOT SAFE>

3750 (watts)/240 (Voltage) = 15.65

Hi,
I gather that the four prong plug is the dryer receptacle and the three prong is at the generator.
The proper way is with red, black, white and green wires. Red and black are load-bearing with white as neutral. Green connects to ground at the four prong and the frame of the generator.
To visualize, think of it this way; when white (neutral) is at 0 volts, then red is at +120 volts and black is at -120 volts (or vice versa.)
Peace,
Clarke

Get an SJO (water and oil) cord by the foot at your local electrical distributer.

Not too many people know this, but there is a right and a wrong end to use. Examine the wire and pick the side for the plug that requires the least amount of twisting to connect.

<Threads merged and retitled from Tools and Power eqipment because it's largely an electrical problem. Crigby's post affected.>

This kind of connection is DANGEROUS. Please install an interlock kit, e.g. Generator InterLock Kit and use a power inlet connector.

YOU CAN KILL A PERSON WORKING ON THE LINE!

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I understand which connections are hot now and which are ground so will give it another shot today. I understand that the main breaker must always be off so as not to hurt anyone and will never be drawing anywhere near the full wattage of my 3750 watt generator. This is for emergency use only so I don't loose food and can see at night in the event of a power outage. Also to keep my water lines from freezing. I appreciate everyone's input and will be extremely careful. I will get a transfer switch installed as soon as I can afford to have an electrician come and install one. My 4 prong is on my generator side and the 3 prong is on the house side for some of you who asked. And I do realize that appliances will not be running at the same time as others so as not to overload the circuit or my generator. I am a pretty common sense kid of dude. Thanks again for everyone's input and have a great day!!

What may have been missed is the link: Generator InterLock Kit


It's much simpler than a transfer switch.

I did look at the interlock device but have no idea what I am looking at nor which one I should buy and can I install it or will an electrician even come to my house to install it?

OK.

If one does not exist from the manufacture of your panel, you send the face of your panel in for a retro-fit.

It's nothing more than a sliding plate that does not allow the main breaker and one near it to be on at the same time.

The Backfed (Generator breaker) is then interlocked with the main breaker.

Wires need to moved around in the panel to use the space that the generator needs and a generator inlet connector needs to be installed outside, so the process is a lot simpler than a transfer switch.

Best reply ever!! You forgot about eye protection and no running in the house.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by courtcop

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I understand which connections are hot now and which are ground so will give it another shot today. I understand that the main breaker must always be off so as not to hurt anyone and will never be drawing anywhere near the full wattage of my 3750 watt generator. This is for emergency use only so I don't loose food and can see at night in the event of a power outage. Also to keep my water lines from freezing. I appreciate everyone's input and will be extremely careful. I will get a transfer switch installed as soon as I can afford to have an electrician come and install one. My 4 prong is on my generator side and the 3 prong is on the house side for some of you who asked. And I do realize that appliances will not be running at the same time as others so as not to overload the circuit or my generator. I am a pretty common sense kid of dude. Thanks again for everyone's input and have a great day!

---

Best reply ever!! You forgot about eye protection and no running in the house.