• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

Panel Interlock Kit

T

Thedailyb

REGISTERED
Joined
Feb 23, 2019
Messages
24
Location
Michigan
Hello,

I recently had an interlock kit installed (by an electrician licensed in Michigan) on the main electrical panel in my home. I am using a 7000 watt portable generator which has a floating neutral (per the instruction manual).

It is my understanding that the generator is grounded through the home’s ground and I am safe AS-IS.

(The instruction manual state you must always ground this generator and implies that you do so with a grounding rod connected to the grounding nut on the generator. But I think I’m good because I’m grounded via the panel to the home’s ground.)

Am I safe? We’re expecting a big storm tomorrow and wanted to run through the process beforehand and got stuck on this issue. I was seeing a variety of opinions on other forums but this seemed the most trustworthy to ask, I left a voicemail with the electrician but have not heard back yet. Thanks!
 
Welcome

I am not an electrician but with limited knowledge

Generator should have its own ground and hopefully it is outside, so simple fix

Also, grounded to the house system


I would have the electrician test each of these grounds


Not sure why a floating neutral, but that term means something else to me, possibly.

It is the weekend, so you may not get other replies till Monday
 
Welcome to the forum.
Hows the weather? No snow expected here in Miami today.

I'm an electrician and if your guy used a 4 wire cord you have no worries.
 
Thanks, Chris. I appreciate the help!

The weather is getting nasty. The weathermen are calling this storm a “cyclone bomb”., a term I had neved heard before. 60 mph winds, about 30 degrees out with lots of snow.... yuck!

I attached a picture of the wire used, am I good?

zqf1ahEJDB8tTtYT6
 
Looks like the pic didnt work out. The cord is orange and is labeled 10/3.

(Encore Wire Corp 10/3 W/G Type NM-B 600V (UL))
 
That’s “Romex”
Right number of conductors but wrong cable for the application
It will work but should have used a 10/4 SO type cable
This passed inspection?
 
chris kennedy said:
That’s “Romex”
Right number of conductors but wrong cable for the application
It will work but should have used a 10/4 SO type cable
This passed inspection?
Click to expand...

Yes, but I had a bunch of work done at same time so I am not sure how much attention inspector paid to this aspect...

Is this not safe then? Should I be getting him back here to fix? Do I need to separately ground the generator them? Thanks!
 
Actually, I might be mistaken about this. I had the electrician connect a 220 hot tub plug at the same time and its possible this cable is the one for that. There is also a really large cable down there that is labeled:

General cable S Stabiloy (R) AA-8030 AL Type SE Cable Style R XHHW-2 600V 3 CDRS 2 AWG (33.6 mm2) 1 CDR 4 AWG (21.2 mm2)
 
Thedailyb said:
Thanks, Chris. I appreciate the help!

The weather is getting nasty. The weathermen are calling this storm a “cyclone bomb”., a term I had neved heard before. 60 mph winds, about 30 degrees out with lots of snow.... yuck!

I attached a picture of the wire used, am I good?

zqf1ahEJDB8tTtYT6
Click to expand...


You have to be a paid supporting to easily post pictures

Otherwise you have to make a link and post the link
 
By chance did anyone draw some electrical plans for this??

If so what do they show

If so were they submitted to the city???
 
I know the township came over and placed sticker on the panel I had installed in polebuilding. Not sure about the process the electrician followed except for that. My contract stated he was responsible for getting permit. I did check the state website to verify he had master electrician and electrical contractor licenses.
 
chris kennedy said:
In the 5th pic there is an image of the right cord. Do you have that? if so your golden.

Good luck, stay warm.
Click to expand...

I added a couple pictures. The orange cable is definitely the one that goes to the generator inlet. The black cable goes to a box on the near the back of house and then goes to pole building 100 amp sub panel. The grey cable goes to an outlet for hot tub.
 
Regarding your comment about the fifth picture and the right cord, are you referring to the Reliance one that I took a pcture or the box? Yes, I have that one.

Also, someonehad mentioned a potential problem with code for the NM-B cable going outside in conduit to the inlet. Should I be worried about that?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top