Way off topic, but maybe someone can help

[Edwin J Forwood]

You get 110 (120) from a 220 (240) volt generator the same way you get it
when it comes from the utility company.  All 240 volt circuits today are
4 wire circuits.  There are actually 2 hot wires with 120 volts on each,
usually one black and one red wire.  1 common or "Neutral"  wire, usually
white. The fourth wire is the ground circuit and is usually green or may
be bare copper.  You get 2 separate 120 volt circuits by splitting the
240 volt circuit.  The Red, "Hot" wire and the White "Neutral" wire gives
you one 120 volt circuit.  The Black "Hot" wire and the same White
"Neutral" wire will give you the second 120 Volt circuit. Unless you have
some special kind of generator, one that was not made for regular home
use, it will be wired the same.
By the way, if you are planning to use it for emergency use, ie. when the
regular power goes down, Check first with your utility company as to
connection to the same lines that are serving your home from the utility
lines.  Most of the utility companies make you disconnect your feed lines
from the service grid before connecting the generator.  The linemen don't
like to find downed wires that are hot because there's a generator hooked
to the other end at someone's house.
73's de Jerry K0EJF



On Thu, 25 Jul 2002 08:43:25 -0700 Neil Morrison <neilsmorr at HOTMAIL.COM>
writes:
> Your local library should have an electrical code book for your
> state.
> In the back you should find tables which let you figure this out.
>
> Basically, assuming one 'pair' is a ground, and the two cable sets
> are run in one conduit, you have 4 current carrying conductors.
>
> You need to figure out the type of cable, and the conduit they are
> in, and check the max current per cable. Multiply by two to get the
> max current for your app.
> Don't forget to figure the voltage drop also.
>
> Be aware that using ground rods instead of a grounding conductor is
> often a code violation. That in turn leads to voiding your
> insurance
> and acquiring considerable personal injury liability. It might be
> worth trying to find an electrician locally to at least advise you.
>
> BTW, If the generator is 220, how will you get 110 from it for your
> loads?
>
> Regards,
>
> Neil
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Patrick Tocornal" <Brookbank at AOL.COM>
> To: <HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2002 4:47 PM
> Subject: Way of topic, but maybe someone can help
>
>
> > I do not know if this is the proper forum for the following
> question, if it
> > is not, please try to direct me to the proper place.
> >
> >
> I
> > have recently acquired a military surplus 12KW 220 single phase
> generator,
> > and would like to use it as a back-up for my farm house.
> >
> > The question is this, I do have two 3 wire conductors gauge #12
> already
> > underground to the generator location, if I parallel the 2
> conductors thus
> > having 3 number 12 wires for each leg how many amps can I carry?
> >
> > The ground would be provided by appropriate ground rods at both
> ends, the
> > generator and the 220 volt 60 amp fuse panel, the distance is
> about
> 100
> > feet..
> >
> > Of course an appropriate transfer switch will be provided.
> >
>  Would the pair of 3 number 12 wires handle the load?
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > Pat Tocornal
>
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