Question on generator inlet box.

[knucklebuster283]

My garage is only 18'x20', more a shed than a garage. I have a single 120v, 30 amp breaker feeding power for lights and a couple of outlets. I've been given a Lincoln SP 170T mig welder. The original plug was cut off and replaced with a 250v 30amp twist lock plug. My question is can I run a 10/4 SJOOW cord 75' in length with female twist lock ends as an extension cord to power this welder in my garage. 240v not available at this time for the garage. This will only be used for short term welding.

 

[dave*99]

You only need 3 conductors for the welder. What is the purpose of a generator inlet mentioned in the title?

 

[mike93lx]

My garage is only 18'x20', more a shed than a garage. I have a single 120v, 30 amp breaker feeding power for lights and a couple of outlets. I've been given a Lincoln SP 170T mig welder. The original plug was cut off and replaced with a 250v 30amp twist lock plug. My question is can I run a 10/4 SJOOW cord 75' in length with female twist lock ends as an extension cord to power this welder in my garage. 240v not available at this time for the garage. This will only be used for short term welding.

You are feeding lighting and outlets off a 30a breaker? Is there a subpanel?

You can run a welder on an extension cord, but at that distance and wire gauge, your welder might not run as well as it could. What are you plugging it into?

 

[knucklebuster283]

Yes Mike, The lighting and 120 outlets in the garage are on a single pole 30amp breaker, at 120volts. That is how it was done when I moved here. There use to be a swimming pool on the property. PO took out the pool and ran that line into the garage. It is run off the box under the meter. The extension cord will plugged into a generator INLET box that has the male ends in it. That box is wired into the Main box in the house on a 30amp two pole breaker.

 

[knucklebuster283]

You only need 3 conductors for the welder. What is the purpose of a generator inlet mentioned in the title?

The inlet box is used to hook my generator to the house. That is also how it was done when I moved here. No lockouts, or transfer switch. Have to shut off Main breaker at the meter, turn on breaker for the generator when power goes out, reverse when power back on. I know it's not ideal, it just works. The way it's set up now, have a 100amp breaker under meter that feeds the main in the house. another 100amp breaker in the main panel. PO and myself first shut main breaker in house, 2nd shut breaker under meter, 3third, start genny,4th, turn on 30amp breaker in main panel when power goes out.

 

[dave*99]

The inlet box is used to hook my generator to the house. That is also how it was done when I moved here. No lockouts, or transfer switch. Have to shut off Main breaker at the meter, turn on breaker for the generator when power goes out, reverse when power back on. I know it's not ideal, it just works. The way it's set up now, have a 100amp breaker under meter that feeds the main in the house. another 100amp breaker in the main panel. PO and myself first shut main breaker in house, 2nd shut breaker under meter, 3third, start genny,4th, turn on 30amp breaker in main panel when power goes out.

If I read this right you do not have an interlock on your generator inlet. You need one as it is dangerous as it sits now.

And you would like to make the generator inlet hot from the utility service and run an extension cord from it to the welder.

It’s not safe to make that male plug hot.

Read up on why you need an interlock. There is a lot of info on GJ about it.

Look up suicide cord.

 

[dave*99]

You could plug the welder into the generator.

 

[knucklebuster283]

If I read this right you do not have an interlock on your generator inlet. You need one as it is dangerous as it sits now.

And you would like to make the generator inlet hot from the utility service and run an extension cord from it to the welder.

It’s not safe to make that male plug hot.

Read up on why you need an interlock. There is a lot of info on GJ about it.

Look up suicide cord.

Dang it. Now you got a point, about the gen. inlet. Didn't think about that. That's why the only dumb question is the one not asked. Always better to have another set of eyes. I'll have to rethink the interlock. The main breaker in this main panel is at the bottom of the box. Like the panel is upside down, and the 30amp 2 pole breaker the gen in on is located half way up the panel and is actually a mini 4 pole breaker. 2 20amp singles with a 30amp double in the center. I do understand about back feeding. One reason I'm not a lineman. Thanks Dave. I have been running the welder off the generator. It's just a pain to pull the genny outa storage for a couple hours of welding. I'm also worried I'll burn up the generator with this welder. The gen. is only rated at 5500 watts running, 8500 watts starting. Welder is an old transformer style, and I usually have it cranked up as I mostly run flux core on between 3/16ths and 1/4" steel. I've become the family and friend frame repairer. Being from Maine rust is big problem up here.

 

[dave*99]

Might be time to take a step back and look at the big picture.
You need an interlock.
Your main panel is full.
You would like 240V in the garage.
The garage currently might not be properly powered if you have a single 30A 120V circuit and no sub panel.
Don’t dig the same hole deeper. This is an opportunity to make it all correct.

 

[dave*99]

You could put in a new main panel with an interlock. Either move all the circuits to the new panel or make the old panel a sub panel. You must separate grounds and neutrals if you do that.

Run a feeder to the garage and put a small sub panel in the garage.

 

[knucklebuster283]

Man did you just put a damper in my day lol. Yea your right.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yes Mike, The lighting and 120 outlets in the garage are on a single pole 30amp breaker, at 120volts. That is how it was done when I moved here. There use to be a swimming pool on the property. PO took out the pool and ran that line into the garage. It is run off the box under the meter. The extension cord will plugged into a generator INLET box that has the male ends in it. That box is wired into the Main box in the house on a 30amp two pole breaker.

wow way too many issues here

what is the size of wire on this 30a circuit? also a 30a breaker feeding 20a or 15 receptacles is not kosher.

as far as the inlet goes, that shouldnt be used for plugging equipment into. its for a generator. energizing it makes it dangerous. also, no interlock creates another hazardous situation

this all needs to be redone properly.... way too much hack work here

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

TIP! Call a professional………. Obviously someone doesn’t know what they are doing.

 

[knucklebuster283]

Thanks for the replies guys. Not what I wanted to hear, but I'm glad I asked.

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for the replies guys. Not what I wanted to hear, but I'm glad I asked.

Welcome to Garage Journal !

 

[knucklebuster283]

Welcome to Garage Journal !

Thanks for the welcome. Sometimes best to hear what you don't want to hear. Because of the heads up with the issues in my garage, I've started tearing it all out. It's worse than I thought.

 

[knucklebuster283]

Ok this is what I've found so far. Garage is fed from a 12/2 on a 30amp breaker, into a 20amp gfi outlet on the outside wall. It's in a weather proof box. That feeds 4, 15amp outlet inside. Plugged into the first 15amp outlet is 15amp power strip, which powers 4 led 4' lights. I've lived in this house going on 4 years now. Never thought to look at any of the electrical. The 30amp breaker in the main panel in the house does have a sort of lockout on it. Shut that breaker off and can be locked with a 1/4" shaft paddle lock. Kind of like lockout tag out type of thing. better yet, House is fed from a 100amp breaker at the meter, into a 200amp main panel that has mostly mini breakers but 2 unused slots for 120volts. I do have to say we opted not to have a home inspection when we bought it. Hind site we should have.

 

[mike93lx]

That 30a breaker needs to be swapped for a 20a.

What type of wire is the 12/2?

 

[dave*99]

Ok this is what I've found so far. Garage is fed from a 12/2 on a 30amp breaker, into a 20amp gfi outlet on the outside wall. It's in a weather proof box. That feeds 4, 15amp outlet inside. Plugged into the first 15amp outlet is 15amp power strip, which powers 4 led 4' lights. I've lived in this house going on 4 years now. Never thought to look at any of the electrical. The 30amp breaker in the main panel in the house does have a sort of lockout on it. Shut that breaker off and can be locked with a 1/4" shaft paddle lock. Kind of like lockout tag out type of thing. better yet, House is fed from a 100amp breaker at the meter, into a 200amp main panel that has mostly mini breakers but 2 unused slots for 120volts. I do have to say we opted not to have a home inspection when we bought it. Hind site we should have.

Post pictures of your panels and meter. Folks here can help.

 

[knucklebuster283]

That 30a breaker needs to be swapped for a 20a.

What type of wire is the 12/2?

Not sure Mike, but it is buried. It has a gray colored jacket and is in 1" conduit at both ends. Ground is now frozen now so not digging it up till this spring. Kind of odd panel under the meter, is part of the meter. It has the 100amp breaker feeding the house with 2 120 legs either side of the 100 amp. One of which the 30amp breaker feeding the garage. This may be a dumb question but could I put 2 40amp breakers on the 2 120 legs to get 240 into the garage. Asking cause I know the answer, just throwing it out there.( No because their not tied together, right.).

 

[dave*99]

Not sure Mike, but it is buried. It has a gray colored jacket and is in 1" conduit at both ends. Ground is now frozen now so not digging it up till this spring. Kind of odd panel under the meter, is part of the meter. It has the 100amp breaker feeding the house with 2 120 legs either side of the 100 amp. One of which the 30amp breaker feeding the garage. This may be a dumb question but could I put 2 40amp breakers on the 2 120 legs to get 240 into the garage. Asking cause I know the answer, just throwing it out there.( No because their not tied together, right.).

Need to see the bus in the meter main. Photos will help. Maybe you can move the 100A to one side and add another 2 pole for garage.

 

[knucklebuster283]

Need to see the bus in the meter main. Photos will help. Maybe you can move the 100A to one side and add another 2 pole for garage.

Will do Dave soon as I get a chance. We got snow Sunday night into Monday, my blower threw a rod. Putting on another motor now more snow tonight.

 

[mike93lx]

Not sure Mike, but it is buried. It has a gray colored jacket and is in 1" conduit at both ends. Ground is now frozen now so not digging it up till this spring. Kind of odd panel under the meter, is part of the meter. It has the 100amp breaker feeding the house with 2 120 legs either side of the 100 amp. One of which the 30amp breaker feeding the garage. This may be a dumb question but could I put 2 40amp breakers on the 2 120 legs to get 240 into the garage. Asking cause I know the answer, just throwing it out there.( No because their not tied together, right.).

Grey is a good sign. Likely is UF, which is OK.

When you open up either end, see if the jacket is loose on the cables or if it is formed. The former would mean NM and you should also see a paper wrap on the ground. That wire is no good for outdoors

Breakers need to be handle tied for 240v. To get a 40a feed, you need 8 gauge wire. 12 is limited to 20a

 

[dave*99]

Breakers need to be handle tied for 240v.

Breakers need to be common trip for 240V. Handle ties are needed for multi wire branch circuits.

 

[mike93lx]

Breakers need to be common trip for 240V. Handle ties are needed for multi wire branch circuits.

Fair enough. An important distinction

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Not sure Mike, but it is buried. It has a gray colored jacket and is in 1" conduit at both ends. Ground is now frozen now so not digging it up till this spring. Kind of odd panel under the meter, is part of the meter. It has the 100amp breaker feeding the house with 2 120 legs either side of the 100 amp. One of which the 30amp breaker feeding the garage. This may be a dumb question but could I put 2 40amp breakers on the 2 120 legs to get 240 into the garage. Asking cause I know the answer, just throwing it out there.( No because their not tied together, right.).

no. the 30a breaker is already too large for the 12/2 wire you have. it needs to be changed to 20a.

better yet it should just be ripped out and a new feeder ran