House wiring help

[Unearthed]

If I am installing a 30A plug on the outside of my house for my generator to plug into (running to my transfer switch), do I need to use underground/outdoor rated wire? Regular Romex says for use in dry locations...

 

[The_Jeff]

No.

 

[Bamboooo]

If the wire will be direct buried, or exposed to the elements, then yes, you need the outdoor rated wire. If it's in conduit, or in the wall going to a junction box or outlet, then regular romex will suffice.

 

[JHZR2]

I would be careful to properly seal the box and make sure that no moisture gets into it or through the hole that takes the wire into your home.

 

[Bamboooo]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I would be careful to properly seal the box and make sure that no moisture gets into it or through the hole that takes the wire into your home.


+1

 

[shooter250]

If the box is mounted directly on the exterior of the house, #10 romex should be fine. Electricians typically use romex for the other exterior receptacles with no issues.

Be sure to use a generator receptacle and NOT an extension cord with two male ends. Big no no.

Also, be sure to check the neutral bonding on the generator. You do not want the neutral bonded to the ground in the panel and in the generator, only in one place.

My hats off to you for being prepared and planning ahead.

 

[Schmoe]

I did the EXACT same thing this weekend, but I have a 240/50 amp plug in my garage. I got enough 10/2 wire from an electrical store to run from my gen. to the plug. Genset sits outside and I can actually shut the doors. Make DANG SURE your wire is rated for 30 amps, most typical romex wire will handle 20 amps easy, but double check for 30. One thing....make sure you SHUT THE MAIN OFF FIRST or you'll be either causing brownouts throughout the neighborhood or you'll kill a line man when they try to fix the problem. Make sure you know what your doing if your going 240/30 amp service like I did. You'll probably have four wires from the genset...ususally green/black/red and white. Typically, red and black will be hot with 120 volts each, with green/white being neutral or ground. When going to your circuit panel, make sure you match them up correctly. Take volt readings before hand to insure that. You don't want to be figuring that all out in an emergency. Most circuit panels will normally have only three connections....two hot and one ground. You can combine both ground/neutrals to one common ground if you have to.