30 Amp Power Inlet Box Wiring (Generator)


  #1  
Old 04-12-19, 06:49 AM
A
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 1
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
30 Amp Power Inlet Box Wiring (Generator)

Hello all and thanks for having me on the forums. This is my first post.
I am installing a power inlet box to power the refrigerator and a few lights in the house in case of a power failure. I have a 3000 watt / 25 amp generator that sends power through an L5 30 receptacle. The power will run to an L5 30 inlet box (3 prong) to send 120 V to my main breaker panel via a double pole 30 amp breaker only wired on one side with 6 awg wire. After the main panel buss is energized with 120V, the power will be routed through a double pole 30 amp breaker wired for 240 V that runs the power into the sub panel in my house. From there I have a few breakers that I will turn on to limit power max usage in the house to 25 amps at 120V. Does anyone see an issue with this idea? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
 
  #2  
Old 04-12-19, 06:55 AM
I
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Near Lansing, Michigan
Posts: 9,785
Upvotes: 0
Received 45 Upvotes on 43 Posts
Yes, to backfeed a generator into a main panel you need to have an approved interlock kit which prevents the main breaker and the generator breaker from being on at the same time. It is illegal and dangerous otherwise. The other option is to install a generator transfer panel for the circuits you need to power during an emergency. My opinion is that with a 120V generator a generator transfer panel is the preferred solution.

For a 30A generator you only need #10 copper wire, not #6.
 
  #3  
Old 04-12-19, 06:59 AM
ray2047's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 29,711
Upvotes: 0
Received 15 Upvotes on 13 Posts
You will need an interlock for the 30 amp breaker.

Do I understand you are only going to use one pole? If so why not a single pole breaker?

Why #6? Only #10 needed for 30 amps.
 
  #4  
Old 04-12-19, 08:12 AM
Geochurchi's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 5,074
Received 161 Upvotes on 147 Posts
Hi, how is this Sub panel connected to the main panel? I definitely don’t like the way you are attempting this.
Geo
 
  #5  
Old 04-12-19, 01:58 PM
P
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: United States, Virginia
Posts: 1,705
Received 273 Upvotes on 230 Posts
He's fine as long as the generator infeed 30A breaker in the main panel is on an interlock to lock out the main breaker before the 30A generator infeed breaker can be switched on. The OP is saying the subpanel is powered from a 30A 2pole breaker in the main panel. The subpanel will end up only having one bus leg powered with 120V.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: