how do you hook up a generator

hi,

can anybody explain how i connect a generator to a house.

we have bought a house (in the sticks)that is not connected the the national grid.power had prev been supplied by a generator that got nicked we have now bought a replacement generator.not too sure of the size as it was sold to me as a 13kva (thats whats on the engine)but ive looked in the cover and the part that connects to the engine says 10kva which is still big enough for our needs.it has a yanmar 3TNE68 water cooled diesel generator with 3x240v (blue)outlet sockets

3x110v (yellow)outlet sockets

my problem is how would i connect this to the feed cable for the house.

all the armoured cable is still there (connected to a fuse box in the house)from the last generator but they took what looks like a distribution box of the generator shed wall leaving the other end of the cable hanging loose.

we will be building a new shed to house the generator

i have photos of the generator and the old room if these would help but i dont know how to post them on this site.

any help would be greatly appreiated

chears rob

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furby2009
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furby2009
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Which country is this? There are different electrical standards and codes about. If I suspect in the UK, suggest a post to uk.d-i-y where a lot of helpful folks hang out with experience of this sort of thing.

But before you do, try to get a proper usenet client, and away from diybanter. It's free to join

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and easy to configure thunderbird, Xnews or other choices of newsreader. By posting from diybanter or google groups you limit the number of helpful folks who might be able to see your post. Most block on the service name because of spam.

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Adrian C
Reply to
Adrian C

As Adrian C said, the country you are in makes a great deal of difference. Each country and municipality has codes regulating proper wiring practices. In most cases those codes are designed to ensure that any installation is safe.

In theory all you would have to do is trace back from the outlet sockets to the generator's distribution panel and connect to the house distribution box using 4 or 6 gauge wire, and properly ground the neutral line

Of course, in theory all you have to do to fly an airplane is maintain sufficient airspeed so the lift provided by the wings will exceed the force of gravity. As we say, 'The devil is in the details.'

I've done enough wiring that I am confident I would be able to do an installation like this in a safe manner. I'm also confident that I would have to do some research to be certain it was done according to all codes. I am not confident that I would be able to instruct you adequately. Frankly, I would suggest that this is important enough that you hire someone with verifiable experience (NOT 'Joe the Handyman' who can fix most things eventually) to do the work. And don't be upset if they spend a significant amount of time verifying the previous wiring was done properly.

PlainBill

Reply to
PlainBill

I couldn't agree more. I have knowledge and experience in my locale (Georgia, USA) and have done inspected and approved wiring (some areas allow you to do your own wiring, subject to getting the standard permits and having the standard inspections). If I were on site at your cabin, I would expect to spend time looking at the existing wiring and making notes/sketches to ensure that it was safe/legal. Then I'd consider how the generator should be connected to the existing wiring.

My expectation on the quality of electrical work is that I should feel comfortable sleeping in that space.

John

Reply to
news

I would not tie the generator into the existing wiring at all. Just install an independent single new outlet wired directly to the generator. Put the new outlet near the refrigerator. When you have grid outage, start the generator. Then unplug the fridge from the regular outlet and plug into the "generator only" outlet. When the grid comes back, unplug the load from the "generator" outlet, and return to the grid powered outlets.

Reply to
bw

If I recall correctly, the OP stated that this home is entirely "off grid". No mains power to worry about.

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Dave Platt                                    AE6EO
Friends of Jade Warrior home page:  http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
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Reply to
Dave Platt

Ok, my reader cut off the OP. He should find a local professional electrician anyway.

Reply to
bw

I'm sorry, but the fact that yout bought a generator without considering this, and from the questions you ask, I would recommend that you hire a competent licensed electrician. And I am not one, nor did I use one in my installaton. But I did my research and completed my plan, decided what I need to do, before I sought out a generator and ancillary gear to get it done.

Reply to
starrin

This is a Usenet newsgroup (discussion group) on the topic of repairing electronics. House wiring is discussed elsewhere.

I'd talk to whoever did the previous installation. Get in touch with the previous homeowner, or ask your real estate agent. If the previous homeowner is no more, ask your neighbors who they used, or how they installed it.

Find a site to host your images, and include the links in your post.

Try finding some groups for people living off the grid. Most such people use solar and/or wind power to generate electricity. The cost of hauling Diesel, plus the noise of the generator, will be annoying after a while. One supplier is

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Reply to
spamtrap1888

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