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Skoda9 · Oct 21, 2009, 07:07 PM

I just purchased a 9000W generator that I plan on using to power my house in the event of a power outtage. The unit is rated for 63amps. It has a one 125V twist lock connector rated at 30amps and a 125V/240V twist connector rated at 30amps. I want to hook this to my house through a transfer switch panel but want to be able to have the capability to draw the full 60amps. Can I somehow connect the 2 plug-ins together through a cable or can the 125V/240V 30amp plug in handle the 60 amp draw if I don't have anything else plugged in to the generator?

KISS · Oct 21, 2009, 09:50 PM

Your generator is probably 63*120 or 7560 W continuous and 9000 W peak.

The transfer switch is probably too messy. Take a look at www.interlockkit.com. All you do is add a 30 A 2 pole breaker in your panel with a mechanical interlock to your main breaker.

It's not quite the same as having a transfer panel. With the transfer panel, you have to pick the circuits up front.

Now the 60A thing. It's really 30 and 30. You can't pick the phase it's going to be on. You could with a manual transfer panel, but you only have a few circuits to choose from.

With AC distribution in the US, you have two 120 V circuits 180 degrees out of phase with a common connection. If you put them together you'd get 0V out of your generator.

With method #1, depending on how your breaker panel is arranged, you would get 30 A on the left side and 30 A on the right side of the panel.

With the individual circuit transfer switch you could pick what circuits you want for a total of 60 A, but you would only be allowed to select a few.

I hope this makes sense.

Skoda9 · Oct 22, 2009, 09:10 AM

So if I want more than 30 amps I need 2 cables from generator to house or a 5 wire cable and split it at the generator between the 2 plugs and again at the interlock panel end?

KISS · Oct 22, 2009, 09:46 AM

That 4 wire connector contains all you need. L1, L2, N and ground.

L1 is 120 at 30A; L2 is 120 V at 30 A; N= neutral; G is ground

If you connected L1 to L2 you would end up with 0 volts.

If you connect stuff between L1 and L2, your using 240 V stuff

N contains the unbalanced L1 and L2 currents.

So, you can deliver:

30 amps at 240

-OR-

30 amps at 125 and 30 amps at 125 (2 circuits)

Here is a company to look at: Gentran Corporation: Generator Transfer switches for home & business