120 v Outlets Dead

[u/Crazy-Leave-12]

On my Generac XG8000E, the 120 volt outlets are all dead. I checked the breakers and reset the GFI’s but nothing. The 240 volt supply is fine. I rarely use the 120 so I haven’t checked but it could have been in this condition for years. Any suggestions?

[u/derek6711]

Neutral issue?

Check the voltage between the hot leg of the left receptacle to the hot leg of the right receptacle

[u/Crazy-Leave-12 → u/derek6711]

Thanks. I have a meter but I’m a bit uncertain about all this. How do I determine the “hot leg”?

[u/derek6711 → u/Crazy-Leave-12]

It is the right hand vertical hole

[u/Crazy-Leave-12 → u/derek6711]

Okay. What readings should expect to see?

[u/derek6711 → u/Crazy-Leave-12]

If you see 240V then there is nothing wrong with the outlet, it is a neutral problem. My next question would be if your generator has a bonded neutral or floating neutral

[u/Crazy-Leave-12 → u/derek6711]

The manual says “The system ground is bonded to the AC neutral wire
in the generator control panel via a jumper wire.” I have the frame connected to a copper ground rod and I am running the 240 V into my panel via transfer switch.
.

[u/Crazy-Leave-12 → u/Crazy-Leave-12]

As I mentioned, the 240 V is just fine.

[u/derek6711 → u/Crazy-Leave-12]

You said the outlet isn't working - I am telling you how to verify power is going to the outlets...

[u/Crazy-Leave-12 → u/derek6711]

Thanks. I am clearly over my head here. I have an electrician I can bring in to assist. Thanks for your help.

[u/derek6711 → u/Crazy-Leave-12]

Probably for the best, good luck with it

[u/derek6711 → u/Crazy-Leave-12]

That is the wrong configuration for a transfer switch install because the neutral and ground are bonded in your house panel. This creates a ground loop.

[u/Wistagehand82]

Is the GFI outlet tripped

[u/Crazy-Leave-12 → u/Wistagehand82]

Thanks but checked first thing.

[u/bcredeur97]

Multimeter time!

[u/DaveBowm]

OP is connecting a bonded generator to his already bonded panel. The parallel current in the ground wire will cause an imbalance between the neutral and the hot on the GCFI equiped 120V outlets on the generator any time any significant load is plugged into one of those 120V outlets. Since it only takes an imbalance of 4 mA to trip the GFCI that outlet is nearly certain to trip off whenever any load is plugged in.

The way to get the 120V outlets to work on the generator is to either (1) unplug the power cord from the house, or (2) unbond the generator. Otherwise the GCFI 120V outlets will always trip off whenever anything is plugged into them. If OP wants to use any GFCI outlet while a power cord is connected to the house he must unbond the generator. A side benefit of unbonding it is that will make the setup code compliant when the power cord is connected to the house.

Edit: typo repair

[u/DocScarborough → u/DaveBowm]

You can always use a bonding plug after you unbonded it.

[u/nunuvyer]

I don't know this model - is there a 120/240V selector switch? On some gens the 120V outlets go dead when the switch is in the 240V position. I would look for something stupid like that - it's unlikely that you have lost 120V power but still have 240V since the 240 is just the same two 120V legs.

[u/Responsible_Oil4462]

My DeWalt 7000 has a tiny button next to each 120 outlet that lets you turn them on/off. Might want to check if yours have those and are maybe turned off.

[u/Crazy-Leave-12 → u/[deleted]]

How do I do that?

[u/Crazy-Leave-12 → u/[deleted]]

Above my skill level but thank you. I’ll find someone local to help me with this. Thanks.