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Started By
Message
Generator cord rated for only 7500 watts - my generator is 10k starting/8k running
Posted on 8/28/20 at 12:26 pm
Posted on 8/28/20 at 12:26 pm
I hired an electrician to set up the connection to my home as well as supply the cord but I noticed this morning that my cord is only rated for up to 7500 watts output. Problem is my generator is 10k starting and 8k running. Is this going to be a problem for me in the future if I have 8k running on it with up to 10k starting?
2
Posted on 8/28/20 at 12:47 pm to TDsngumbo
This post was edited on 1/11/21 at 1:06 pm
Posted on 8/28/20 at 2:00 pm to TDsngumbo
What is the wire size in the cord?
What kind of generator is it?
I doubt you will be running 8,000 watts continuously and if its a Chinese unit I would be surprised if it could actually put out 8,000 watts for hours on end without melting down.
In summary your cord will likely be fine.
What kind of generator is it?
I doubt you will be running 8,000 watts continuously and if its a Chinese unit I would be surprised if it could actually put out 8,000 watts for hours on end without melting down.
In summary your cord will likely be fine.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 2:19 pm to footballdude
quote:
Do you know how big your load is?
Anyone who says they haven’t measured is lying.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 2:29 pm to JusTrollin
The wire is 10 AWG and 25 feet long (not sure if the length matters). The generator is a Generac 10k starting/8k running.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 2:39 pm to TDsngumbo
Are you back feeding your panel with it?
The 10,000 starting watts is inconsequential to the equation. Time (heat) is the enemy with wire sizes. If you are pulling full load 100% of the time it will struggle.
10awg is acceptable for 30 amps. Assuming you are feeding 240V out of it you can pull 33-35 amps from your generator. Run it and check it every so often, just put your hand on it. If its piping hot then reduce the load, however I think you will be ok.
The 10,000 starting watts is inconsequential to the equation. Time (heat) is the enemy with wire sizes. If you are pulling full load 100% of the time it will struggle.
10awg is acceptable for 30 amps. Assuming you are feeding 240V out of it you can pull 33-35 amps from your generator. Run it and check it every so often, just put your hand on it. If its piping hot then reduce the load, however I think you will be ok.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 2:48 pm to JusTrollin
Yes, back feeding the panel with it. Electrician told me I could run anything in the house except the oven and central air, just not all at the same time.
Only things I’d run at the same time would be lights, Eatel internet modem, alarm system, fridge/freezer, and a window unit air conditioner. The water heater would be run all alone when it comes time to heat the water before showers.
Only things I’d run at the same time would be lights, Eatel internet modem, alarm system, fridge/freezer, and a window unit air conditioner. The water heater would be run all alone when it comes time to heat the water before showers.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 2:51 pm to TDsngumbo
You’ll be fine with that cord and that load.
What are you back feeding through? What size breaker/wire is on that circuit?
What are you back feeding through? What size breaker/wire is on that circuit?
Posted on 8/28/20 at 2:59 pm to LSUtigerME
quote:
What are you back feeding through?
Main panel outside.
quote:
What size breaker/wire is on that circuit?
shite if I know. An electrician got it all set up for me a few months ago so it's done right, I just got a little nervous when I noticed the wire size earlier and found out it's only rated for 7500k. I thought maybe he supplied an under sized cord.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 3:28 pm to TDsngumbo
8000Watts/240Volts = 33.3333Amps
7500Watts/240Volts = 31.25Amps
30Awg stranded cable is rated for 30 Amps.
Cable is good.
7500Watts/240Volts = 31.25Amps
30Awg stranded cable is rated for 30 Amps.
Cable is good.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 3:32 pm to 2 Jugs
quote:
8000Watts/240Volts = 33.3333Amps
7500Watts/240Volts = 31.25Amps
30Awg stranded cable is rated for 30 Amps.
Cable is good.
I'm not an electrician so that is Greek to me. I still don't understand how the cord is good.
My generator does have a 30amp breaker on it BUT what if I'm running the generator at 8,000w? Am I going to burn up the cord?
Posted on 8/28/20 at 3:46 pm to TDsngumbo
It’s all a set formula. The cable is usually rated for “amperage”, or ampacity, not watts. However, they are all related to each other by the equation he posted.
If your generator has a 30A breaker, you’re fine with a 10awg cord. It is rated for 30A.
Your back feed connection should also be rated at least to 30A, which means the wiring in the wall (or in your case the panel) is also rated for what the generator can put out. This would be more applicable if you were trying to back feed through the 30A dryer connection with a larger amperage generator.
If your generator has a 30A breaker, you’re fine with a 10awg cord. It is rated for 30A.
Your back feed connection should also be rated at least to 30A, which means the wiring in the wall (or in your case the panel) is also rated for what the generator can put out. This would be more applicable if you were trying to back feed through the 30A dryer connection with a larger amperage generator.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 6:41 pm to TDsngumbo
quote:
My generator does have a 30amp breaker
If your generator has a 30A breaker then that is all you need your cable to carry. 10awg is rated for 30 amps.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 8:22 pm to TDsngumbo
quote:
An electrician
I didn’t think licensed electricians could do this work because it’s dangerous to back feed. Is there some approved, safe way to do this?
This post was edited on 8/28/20 at 8:22 pm
Posted on 8/28/20 at 8:23 pm to 2 Jugs
quote:
10awg is rated for 30 amps.
Technically, this one is only good for 25A @ 86°F. It’s SOOW so it goes by a different rating table.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 9:11 pm to FieldEngineer
quote:
I didn’t think licensed electricians could do this work because it’s dangerous to back feed. Is there some approved, safe way to do this?
With an interlock kit it’s legal. I got a licensed electrician to do this. Invoice is on company letterhead so if it’s not legal, they’re on the hook.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 9:19 pm to FieldEngineer
quote:
I didn’t think licensed electricians could do this work because it’s dangerous to back feed. Is there some approved, safe way to do this?
You can with a mechanical interlock that prevents both the line feed and the back feed source breaker from being closed at the same time. You can get them for all major Panel manufacturers Here
Posted on 8/28/20 at 9:24 pm to STBTigerr
quote:
Technically, this one is only good for 25A @ 86°F. It’s SOOW so it goes by a different rating table.
He didn't know how to check the rating of his cable, so I wasn't going to scramble his brain with any more technical talk.
And thanks for the good info.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 9:29 pm to 2 Jugs
quote:
He didn't know how to check the rating of his cable, so I wasn't going to scramble his brain with any more technical talk. And thanks for the good info.
Yeah a lot of people who sell/rent the stuff don’t even know there’s a difference. I spent a lot of time checking offshore rental setups for NEC compliance so I became familiar with it. SO/SOOW is the cheapest flexible cords, so everybody buys them, but they don’t realize they aren’t rated for as much. 90% of the time they weren’t protected.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 10:47 pm to TDsngumbo
quote:not likely but you could feel it occasionally to see how hot it gets. The only thing that's going to use a lot of amps that you listed is the water heater. However, it's very important to turn off the breaker to the oven every time you use the generator to make sure no one accidentally uses the oven.
I'm not an electrician so that is Greek to me. I still don't understand how the cord is good.
My generator does have a 30amp breaker on it BUT what if I'm running the generator at 8,000w? Am I going to burn up the cord?
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