Multi-Wire Circuit off a Generator

[randynavarro]

The pic may or not help. Hopefully, it's pretty easy to understand.

The homeowner has re-wired so that each leg of the multiwire circuit feeds of off two of the generator switching panel's circuits.

Does this create the potential for overloading the neutral?

Image Insert:

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[Jeff Remas]

I don't understand what you are trying to explain. I think more detailed information will be needed.

[randynavarro]

Multi wire circuit (red and black wires in the pic).

Disconnect the hot legs from the breakers.

Now connect each of those wires to the two incoming wires from the generator switch (in the photo, the larger black #12 wires under the wire nuts are from the generator switch).

Does this help?

[inspector57]

Depends if the generator wires are separate phases. 240 volts between the two hots and 120 volts from each hot to neutral means the two hots are from separate phases and would be ok if all other switches, etc. are done properly.

[Jeff Remas]

I prefer to see multi-wire circuits fed from double pole breakers. If they are part of the generator panel then the should still be hooked up to a double pole breaker or you need to make sure that they are fed from separate phases as stated in the above post.

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by randynavarro

Multi wire circuit (red and black wires in the pic).

Disconnect the hot legs from the breakers.

Now connect each of those wires to the two incoming wires from the generator switch (in the photo, the larger black #12 wires under the wire nuts are from the generator switch).

Does this help?

What Jim & Jeff said. Different poles ok. Same pole bad.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[randynavarro]

I guess the next question then: is anyone familiar with the GenTran switch boxes that can be purchased at H. Depot?

Or any generators for that matter.

Are there different poles in generators?

I assumed there wasn't but what do I know. . .

[Inspectorjoe]

Originally posted by randynavarro

I guess the next question then: is anyone familiar with the GenTran switch boxes that can be purchased at H. Depot?

Or any generators for that matter.

Are there different poles in generators?

I assumed there wasn't but what do I know. . .

I installed one in my house two years ago. The generator panel is fed from a two pole breaker in the main panel (and also from the the 2 pole 4 wire feed from the generator, through a rubber cord). The branch circuit hots are disconnected from the breakers in the main panel and wire nutted to pigtails that connect to the breakers in the generator panel. The two panels are bonded. The only neutral in the generator panel is from the generator as it passes through the enclosure and on to the neutral/ground bus bar in the main panel.

Gen-Tran manual

My installation

[Chad Fabry]

Are there different poles in generators?

I assumed there wasn't but what do I know. . .

Sure, if it's a 120/240 volt unit.