L14-30r receptacle wiring for 120 volt system
bobdog
Solar Expert Posts: 192 ✭✭
I have a generator with a 30 amp 120/240 volt L14-30r outlet (4 prong-generator style). I would like to use this outlet to make a run to my cabin. I would like to use an extension cord from the generator to the cabin where I will have a male receptacle. This will be weather proof as on an RV.
My question is one of wiring the receptacle. The outlet on the generator has 4 wires (2 hot -red/black; 1 neutral -white; 1 ground -green) as does the cord.
In order to get 240 from the generator I assume I would have to run 1 hot (red) to one side of the service panel of the cabin, and the other hot (black) to the other side. However, I only need 120 volts as that is all my cabin and service panel are wired for.
So, can I also assume that by only wiring 1 hot wire to the service panel (black) that I will only be receiving 120 volts from the generator? The red leg would just end at the receptacle.
I hope my question is clear.
Thanks.
Tim
My question is one of wiring the receptacle. The outlet on the generator has 4 wires (2 hot -red/black; 1 neutral -white; 1 ground -green) as does the cord.
In order to get 240 from the generator I assume I would have to run 1 hot (red) to one side of the service panel of the cabin, and the other hot (black) to the other side. However, I only need 120 volts as that is all my cabin and service panel are wired for.
So, can I also assume that by only wiring 1 hot wire to the service panel (black) that I will only be receiving 120 volts from the generator? The red leg would just end at the receptacle.
I hope my question is clear.
Thanks.
Tim
Comments
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Re: L14-30r receptacle wiring for 120 volt system
By curious coincidence I just did this sort of wiring today, but to 240 box.
Basically, yes; L1 or L2 (black or red) to Neutral (white) gives you 120 VAC @ 15 Amps.
Your generator doesn't have standard 120 outlets? Mine has both; split 120's and the 240 twist-lock. -
Re: L14-30r receptacle wiring for 120 volt system
you would eliminate a hot, but then half of the generator is not used and only half of its power is usable. you could just use the other hot the neutral and ground as another 120vac circuit and thereby have 2 30a 120vac circuits available. -
Re: L14-30r receptacle wiring for 120 volt systemCariboocoot wrote: »By curious coincidence I just did this sort of wiring today, but to 240 box.
Basically, yes; L1 or L2 (black or red) to Neutral (white) gives you 120 VAC @ 15 Amps.
Your generator doesn't have standard 120 outlets? Mine has both; split 120's and the 240 twist-lock.
That is a nice coincidence. Yes it has both the 120/240 twist lock and the split 120 outlets. I thought about using one of the 120 outlets but can't seem to find a receptacle to install on the outside of my cabin.
Is there such a unit? -
Re: L14-30r receptacle wiring for 120 volt systemyou would eliminate a hot, but then half of the generator is not used and only half of its power is usable. you could just use the other hot the neutral and ground as another 120vac circuit and thereby have 2 30a 120vac circuits available.
I will be wiring the receptacle on the cabin to an Iota 30r transfer switch and then to the panel. If I were to use the other hot leg would that be just a pass through (around the transfer switch, straight to the panel's other side)? Then I could run another circuit for say pumps, etc.... -
Re: L14-30r receptacle wiring for 120 volt systemThat is a nice coincidence. Yes it has both the 120/240 twist lock and the split 120 outlets. I thought about using one of the 120 outlets but can't seem to find a receptacle to install on the outside of my cabin.
Is there such a unit?
You mean a 120 Volt twist-lock?
Something like this: http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?D=903859&Ntt=903859&catalogId=10051&langId=-15&storeId=10051&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntx=mode+matchall&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber
Or one of these? http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?D=903693&Ntt=903693&catalogId=10051&langId=-15&storeId=10051&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntx=mode+matchall&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber
You have to make up your own cable, of course. In which case it doesn't matter much whether you use the 240 or the 120 version. You only need the two wires + ground anyway. -
Re: L14-30r receptacle wiring for 120 volt systemCariboocoot wrote: »You mean a 120 Volt twist-lock?
Something like this: http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?D=903859&Ntt=903859&catalogId=10051&langId=-15&storeId=10051&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntx=mode+matchall&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber
Or one of these? http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?D=903693&Ntt=903693&catalogId=10051&langId=-15&storeId=10051&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntx=mode+matchall&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber
You have to make up your own cable, of course. In which case it doesn't matter much whether you use the 240 or the 120 version. You only need the two wires + ground anyway.
Actually, now that i think of it, that would do fine. I would just need to find the male receptacle to install on the outside of the cabin, but I would guess any RV store would sell those. Now I just need to find if HomeDepot sells them in the states.
EDIT: Just saw the 2nd link and that would also work for the 120 volt outlets. I've been trying to think how I would go from 4 to 3 in my wiring when all along I could just go from 3 to 3 wire. Thanks.
Niel, I'm still curious if I could run the extra hot leg around the transfer switch and not have a problem. I think I read here recently that someone runs a circuit straight through (by passing the Iota TS) and runs a vacuum or other hogs off of that 1 circuit. -
Re: L14-30r receptacle wiring for 120 volt systemI will be wiring the receptacle on the cabin to an Iota 30r transfer switch and then to the panel. If I were to use the other hot leg would that be just a pass through (around the transfer switch, straight to the panel's other side)? Then I could run another circuit for say pumps, etc....
Any transfer switch should disconnect both L1 & L2 so that there is no chance of anything being energized when the power is "off". -
Re: L14-30r receptacle wiring for 120 volt systemThat is a nice coincidence. Yes it has both the 120/240 twist lock and the split 120 outlets. I thought about using one of the 120 outlets but can't seem to find a receptacle to install on the outside of my cabin.
Is there such a unit?
There is. My camper has one like this:
http://www.amazon.com/RV-3-Wire-Outdoor-Receptacle/dp/B000ZEV2DK -
Re: L14-30r receptacle wiring for 120 volt systemThere is. My camper has one like this:
http://www.amazon.com/RV-3-Wire-Outdoor-Receptacle/dp/B000ZEV2DK
That's it. Thanks.
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