30A Twistlock

[Charc]

So I was in Lowes early today looking for some Klein diags (no luck!) when I walked by the generators and thought "cool!". For a mere 200 dollars there was some pretty good power-output. I noticed many of the models featured 2 or 4 edison connectors, and a single 30A 4 contact twistlock connector.

I figure that style of connector must be the "standard" connector for RVs, trailers, or something, and these generators are intended for camping use. Otherwise, I can't recall seeing many 30A anythings, especially with this connector. what are the 4 contacts for? Ground, Neutral, Hot, Hot? That seems weird. Two ground perhaps? One unused? I have no idea.

So, what would one do with that 30A socket? Do you have to use it? I mean, I guess you could survive on the edison sockets alone, or is the power somehow "divided" over the multiple sockets? What about having a 30A run that terminates in two separate 15 A sockets. What about a 20A 2P&G, and a 10A edison?

Thoughts, anyone, on the consumer generator world?

[SHARYNF]

It is a very comon connection for rv or construction or boats
http://www.marinco.com/scpt/ProdPage...0Shore%20Power

It is 125 volt 30 amps 3 wire 10 guage. the extra connection is just for a better grounding option.

Sharyn

[gafftapegreenia]

No Klein diags in a Lowe's? Charc where did you look, they're in electrical, NOT with all the other Cobalt/Crescent/Etc tools. They keep them separated, I guess they don't play nice with the other kids.

[Charc]

Originally Posted by gafftapegreenia

No Klein diags in a Lowe's? Charc where did you look, they're in electrical, NOT with all the other Cobalt/Crescent/Etc tools. They keep them separated, I guess they don't play nice with the other kids.

!#@$.

They keep them in electrical?

I asked the guy if they had diagonal side cutting pliers, he just pointed me to hand tools... he didn't mention "electrical". I saw some channel lock pliers there and assumed it was all in one place.

[gafftapegreenia]

Yup. In mine they're the next isle or two over from all the plugs and fittings.

[kwotipka]

Originally Posted by SHARYNF

It is a very comon connection for rv or construction or boats
http://www.marinco.com/scpt/ProdPage...0Shore%20Power
It is 125 volt 30 amps 3 wire 10 guage. the extra connection is just for a better grounding option.
Sharyn

Um, no. The 4 wire is 2 phases (hot), neutral and a ground. Usually each single (two outlet) or pair (4 outlets) are on a separate phase. The two phases are 180 degrees apart in phase.

It is possible on some generators to wire the phases together and get 120V at almost double the current but you have to be very careful and look at how the coils are wired.

[Charc]

Originally Posted by kwotipka

Um, no. The 4 wire is 2 phases (hot), neutral and a ground. Usually each single (two outlet) or pair (4 outlets) are on a separate phase. The two phases are 180 degrees apart in phase.
It is possible on some generators to wire the phases together and get 120V at almost double the current but you have to be very careful and look at how the coils are wired.

So what would one do with this? Is there an adaptor to go from this 4 blade configuration to another two pairs of 15A outlets? It seems a lot cheaper to run that than 4 conductor 30A rated cable.

[derekleffew]

Charc--The L14-30 is a 30A 125/250VAC (XYGW). This is most likely what the generator you saw had, used for powering RVs. If protected by a 30A breaker on the generator, you could not use less than 10g wire with the plug. The L15-30 is a 30A 3ø250VAC (XYZG). Also available are L16-30 and L17-30, but as those are 480V and 600V, I'm sure that's not what you saw.

SHARYNF-"your" connector is a 3 contact, and Charc specifically said it was a 4 pin.

Charc--Is this the generator at which you were looking? You were only one aisle away from the electrical hand tools. Could have gotten your Klein diags if you hadn't been obsessing over generators; expecting a lot of power grid failures this winter?

[Charc]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Charc--The L14-30 is a 30A 125/250VAC (XYGW). This is most likely what the generator you saw had, used for powering RVs. If protected by a 30A breaker on the generator, you could not use less than 10g wire with the plug. The L15-30 is a 30A 3ø250VAC (XYZG). Also available are L16-30 and L17-30, but as those are 480V and 600V, I'm sure that's not what you saw.
SHARYNF -"your" connector is a 3 contact, and Charc specifically said it was a 4 pin.

Right, but you couldn't split that into two 15A edison receptacles?

P.S.
Derek always makes minor tweaks to his sig. Anyone notice the new "(Better than being an Athletic Supporter!)"?

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

Right, but you couldn't split that into two 15A edison receptacles?...

Not without a 15A circuit breaker ahead of each 15A Edison Receptacle (single or duplex).

Thanks for noticing the sig.