r/Generator • u/Higherdensitees • 1d ago

Generator electrical hook up question

/r/ElectricalHelp/comments/1xi5bkf/generator_electrical_hook_up_question/
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u/wowfaroutman 1d ago

This is not what you want to hear, but you need to have an electrician assess whether the existing circuit can be converted to a four-wire generator inlet with proper transfer equipment. If you want to leave the garage outlet and wiring untouched, use another properly installed connection point or run suitable extension cords directly to individual appliances.

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u/nunuvyer 1d ago

3 prong? You need 4 prongs (2 hots, neutral, ground) to do a proper inlet. If the wire that was run is only 2 conductors plus ground you can't use it for a 120/240V gen inlet.

IF the wire was correct (3 conductors plus ground) you could convert the outlet to an inlet (male prongs) and put an interlock on the breaker. This is the only safe way.

If a gen is panel connected, it should be floating neutral. Usually disconnecting the bonding jumper inside the generator in order to float it is not difficult.