30 Amp vs 50 Amp Power Inlet Box. What's The Difference and Which One Do You Need?
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- Опубликовано: 16 июн 2023
- In this video, I will compare and contrast the difference between a 30 amp and 50 power inlet box and how to figure out which one you will need for your particular generator. I will also include important tips to make sure everything from the selection to the install is correct.
🧰 Products In The Video 🧰
Reliance 30 Amp Power Inlet Box: amzn.to/3qRSc9S
Reliance 50 Amp Power Inlet Box: amzn.to/3CwhHjq
30 Amp Generator Cord: amzn.to/3PfNYCO
50 Amp Generator Cord: amzn.to/3p9jnMI
Recommended Generators 5% or Less THD%:
Westinghouse 12,000 Watt Generator: amzn.to/42LwG3y
Champion 7,000 Watt Inverter Generator: amzn.to/3XdCSjF
🎥 Related Generator Videos 🎥
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Blessings,
Adam
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Seems like the smart thing would be to install a 50 amp in case you want to upgrade in the future.
The question should be about what you need during an emergency. It should not be everything in your house unless if you are going with a whole house generator. You can go big, but you also need to have the fuel on site to keep the generator running through the emergency. If you have natural gas, sure go whole house, or have a good sized propane tank, and automatic switching does have its advantages. But for a portable generator, you have to feed something that may need 1 gallon of gas per hour at a 50% load(12 KW). If you have a large load(well pump, electric stove, ground sourced heat pump, resistance heating, big AC unit), then you need big power to start it, but if you don't have that or need that, then keep it basic. My storage is 27 Gal of gas which combined with my planned generator usage should last a week in winter or summer. If I had that 12 kw generator, that would cover 2-3 days with my usage of 4 hr in morning and 4 hr at night.
I say most people do not already own a generator!
Yes, it is best to run a #6 wire from inlet box to your breaker (or transfer switch) . If your generator is only 30 amps, when you UPGRADE to a 50 amp generator, you will already have the wire installed.
All of us commenting just run inlet, #6, 50amp inter lock, a quality whip line, and power it up. Customers, gotta put the safety in and idiot proof it.
Will a 30amp O/S plug box accept # 6 CU ,?
Wow, you crushed it! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and doing so with great accuracy and clarity. Super impressed and we thank you for using our products in your demonstration.
THANK YOU! I take delivery of a DuroMax 9000ih this week, get my MicroAir soft start tomorrow, have an interlock kit installed and each time I open RUclips I see a very helpful video from you that answers questions that arise in getting this set up to run my 3 ton A/C. Thanks very much. Really well done without all the useless blabber on SO many sites.
Thanks for the good info. You have a gift for explaining things. You don't trip all over your sentences looking for the right word to explain something. Keep up the good videos!
You’re so knowledgeable and I certainly appreciate you sharing this information.
First time I have ever had this explained. Thank you.
One of the best channels on RUclips.
Excellent explanation. Thank you!
Excellent video! Really appreciate the formula for determining 30 vs 50 amp.❤
Excellent video! Thank you!
This is the very best channel for clear, concise & to the point information! No endless blather! Thank you so much!
This video just answered my burning question! 😅 Thanks so much!!
We have an inverter generator with both a 50 and 30 amp plug. The Generator (Genmax 9000 IED) only puts out a Maximum of 32 amps, but it can be tied together with an additional generator to get the Full 50 amps in the future, so I was thinking that installing the 50 amp would be best.
Thanks for the tip of using 6 gauge wire 👍.
Great Video. Explained a lot for me
Great informative video! I’ve never been good with electric, so I leave most of it to the pros!
ALWAYS GOOD SHARED INFORMATION FOR US SIMPLE HARD HEADED OLD SCHOOL SENIORS!! THANK YOU FOR SETTING US STRAIGHT!! KEEP UP YOUR CONTENT SHARING!!
Thanks for the wealth of info you share. Very well explained.
I would like to take on the job of installing a power inlet box and an interlock myself. I am new to Florida, and I don't know if I am allowed to do the work myself and have it inspected.
Eliectrician wants an awful lot of money. ( what should be an average cost to do such an installation?)
Thank you for this video. I always learn great information on your videos.
Thank you for sharing.
Very helpful.
Thank you for the clarification.
I have learned a whole lot from you, Sir. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge.
God bless you and yours 🙏 ❤️
Better believe it;
U can say that again!
Very kind of you. Really glad to hear you are finding value in the channel. God Bless and thanks a lot for taking the time to leave that feedback! Means a lot.
SO, can I just go with the 50 amp plug for over kill ?@@HowToHomeDIY
Good info!
thanks for the info.
Merci beaucoup! Vous m'avez vraiement donné une idée comment faire le travaux par moi-même!
I would really like for you to do a good video on tri-fuel conversion kits for generators. I really can't find a good one that explains things as well as you.
Great job, very instructive
Great video. Explained very clearly. People also need to understand that most portable generators are neutral bonded. Important to remove that bond for feeding a home this way all ground and neutrals are only bonded at the first means of disconnect. I found and removed the bond on mine. I keep a make plug zip tied to the generator with a neutral to ground jumper in case I want to use the generator out in the field for powering lighting, tools, etc. i just plug in the jumper in that situation.
Great advice. I did the same on my generator. Finding the bond can be tricky. On some it is at the power head others in the outlet area. I have a HF 7,000W genie, the bond was at one of the 120V receptacles.
The generator is pretty heavy so I don't intend to move it around but figured I'd make the jumper plug just in case the need every arose.
me too
EXCELLENT VIDEO
Solid advice sir!
great stuff sir. i learned a LOT from you. one question, could i put the generator on its side for storage or during transportation from one site to another?
Very clear video, thanks. Do you have any RV electrical videos?
Excellent explanation.
Good. Content..what's a good inverter gen for home. I have. 50 amp inlet box outside
Thank you for your very good info great video can you tell me how to connect the AC unit to the transfer box ? I have separated the 30amp breaker from my regular subpanel is located in front of my house in the main braker hope you can help me with this
Thanks for breaking it down to where I can understand the normal running watts vs the peak watts .
The generator I’m hooking up does have the 50 amp outlet built into it but it’s a tri fuel gas being the highest wattage 7500 (normal operation) and 9400 peak by. So I will be using the 30 amp box to connect to my home so I can have some backup power
As long as you have a 30A breaker protecting the inlet that is fine.
@@tomschmidt381 I appreciate your reply thank you
I have a similar situation, but is there a reason why I couldn't use the 50amp outlet on the generator and connect it to a 50amp input on my panel with a 50amp breaker installed? (thanks for all of your great videos. you have taught me a lot!)@@tomschmidt381
Great follow up vid!!
Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback Thomas!
Your videos are always amazing
Really glad to hear you are finding value in the channel. Thanks a lot for the feedback Jim. Very kind of you!
Thanks these very important information 😇
You are very welcome. Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!
Great Video where can I purchase a CAT portable generator
Great video and info thank you.
Good info! Thanks.👍
My issue is that I have a 50 amp inlet and I use it for my generac 15K generator, but I am buying a ecoflow system that will be 30 amps. Is there a way to use an adapter in these situations if I need to switch back and forth or do I need a second inlet?
Good stuff. Thanks 🙏
Another GREAT video.
Now my generator will produce 31.25 AMP so should I go with the 50 AMP?
go with 30amp.
4 Questions:
1. What is the maximum length 50amp cable I can run from my house to the generator?
2. Can I connect two shorter, 50amp (25ft each) cables together to go 50ft?
3. When running a 50 amp unit, what gauge grounding rod cable do I need?
4. What is the maximum length cable I can use to earth ground the above? I would actually like to use a car jumper cable if possible.
Thanks!!!
Good job ,thank you so much
Hello I have a question? We bought a DuroMax xp12000hx It says it has a 50 amp outlet for home transfer ready. Would that be the outlet needed for that type of generator? Thanks
Hello, I'm off grid and I have an Aims 6000-watt inverter/ battery charger with a 11000-watt startup output the charger can charge the batteries at 60 up to amps when the sun is behind storm clouds. The inverter has 4 connectors for the 240-volt input that is designed to connect to grid power, and I can connect to my inlet box. Currently I've wired the inlet box to the 30 amp plug on the generator. After watching your videos I'm thinking of re-wiring the inlet box using 50 amp that way it can run my house and charge my batteries at the same time. My Generator is a 9500 watt with a 11000-watt startup. My battery bank is 48-volt Lithium Iron Phosphate 600 Ah. What do you think?
Great videos thank you. I currently have a generator that only has a 240-volt 30-amp outlet I am going to install an inlet box. I was thinking about upgrading my generator in a few years to a larger one with a 50-amp power supply. Can I install a 50-amp inlet and just run my current generator with a 30-50amp adapter until I purchase another. Or could that cause a problem? Thanks again.
Excellent overview. I have installed a 30 amp box since my gen is 7000 max. I thought about installing a 50 amp so down the road I could upgrade to a larger gen. Is there a converter plug/adaptor that would allow my generator to hook up to a 50 amp box? Thanks!
Great info thanks you
Great videos
Jim from Ohio 🇵🇷
Good information 👍
Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback Jim! I am originally from Ohio. Visit there from time to time as a lot of my family is still there.
Great video!
thanks!
Good video and explanation
Glad you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!
I powered two mini split ac units one 27 k btu and one 18 with a 30 amp 7000 watt gen , lights fridge tv fans freezer .
Good learning videos, thanks.
So just installed a 50A house inlet, which adaptor do I use to get it to a 30 amp 120v generator plug in?
I’m baffled looking on Amazon
Thanks again!
You would need a 30 amp 240 volt outlet on the generator, not 120 volt. If you have the 30 amp 240 volt outlet, then you need NEMA L14-30P to SS2-50R
Great video! Question: I want to have whole house back up for the rare power outages. The inverter kind is less powerful and far more expensive, but given that I have a gas furnace and refrigerators with control boards, some people seem to think they are necessary. Can I get away with a generator with higher THD or do I really need an inverter to run modern appliances?
I have a 5500 watt generator.. when plugged in to my 30amp service it can only run lights in the with maybe a fridge it has a hard time doing that... thank you for the great video...
This doesn't make sense. A 5500 W genset should have no problem running many lights, multiple fridges, TV, router, chargers, and even a heavier load or two like an air compressor, window aircon or portable aircon, well pump or sump pump, etc.
Is it possible there was some other large load on that you hadn't noticed? Like maybe an electric water heater?
Thank you for this video! I am going to install a back feed receptacle on my home (am aware of all the perils of doing so and the main will remain shut off while in use), below the panel. My harbor freight 9k generator has a 30amp 4 prong twist lock plug for 240v. However, I see (on amazon for instance) that most of the receptacles list 7500 watts max. Based on your formula, mine shows 37.5 amps. Should I be ok using a 30 amp receptacle if I use all 6 ga wires for the panel to receptacle, and for the cord? I'll still have small lugs at the connections
Hi thank u for the video! My food trailer came with a 50 amp cord, can I hook this up to a 30 amp generator using an adaptor safely ?
great video, think its fine based on 70 amp example you have but if I have a 30 amp, 9,000 peak watt generator and a 30 amp but 7500 watt receptacle, would that be a problem? given that the generator has more wattage than the inlet box ?
Such a great video
I have a predator 8750 peak generator with 28 amp max. Electrician told me to run a 50 amp wire and use an adapter to plug into my generator and the built in breaker would be enough to prevent overload since it would just shut off...does that sound right? And should i really go with 50 instead of 30??
After you connect the correct gauge wire from the plug, how do you connect the wire in the transfer panel? Do you use wire nuts on the supply wire to the wires in the transfer panel? Do you use Burndys? I wish there was a bar with better connections than just 2 large wires that need to be connected. I have a reliance transfer panel system.
My generator has a 50amp outlet. Its a firman Tri-fuel with 9400/6500/5500 running watts on Gas/Propane/N.Gas. Will I be able to produce and connect to a 50amp box on N. Gas or will it not provide enough power?
Adam, I really appreciate your videos. I really try to do a good job of researching things that I need to do before starting. Sometimes it’s hard to do the correct research if you don’t know the question to ask. With that being said I don’t blame anyone but myself but I really need your help locating a male 4 prong 50amp receptacle box to replace/install below my breaker box for my generator connection! I bought a suggested 3 prong 50amp box 2 weeks ago from amazon but all of the 50amp cords I’ve found locally have 4 prong connections on both ends. The generator connection for the 50amp is 4 prong and a 30amp on it is 3 prong. This is confusing to me but that doesn’t take much to do. Because of my disabilities and lack of tools and hard to find wire, which caused me to spend at least an hour and a half carefully stripping it from a cable, it took me 4 days sporadic work to complete! Not a lot of money but a lot of fortitude! I’m not sure if I can return this because I already installed it but I need to find a replacement now, if possible please!! GOD bless!
I replied to your first comment but now I’m confused on what you have. Did you install a 50 amp power inlet box or a 30 amp? If it’s 50 then the male end of the cord should have 4 prongs on the male side for the generator and 3 holes on the female side for the power inlet box. If it’s a 30 amp power inlet box then it will be 4 prongs on the male side and 4 holes on the female side.
fantastic !
Hi. Wonderful videos. You are very clear and understandable. I really appreciate that. Here is my question. I have a 60 AMP Breaker installed because I power my Tesla EV. Do I need a 60 amp breaker for my generator as well? I believe so, but just wanted you to confirm/explain. Again, thanks a million...
I guess that the Tesla charger will just go down from a 480 to a 240 charger. Am I right?
Thank you.
You are very welcome. Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!
Man I just bought some 6/3 UF wire I was going to use for a 30 amp EV charger. Do you really have to have an 8AWG ground? The one I am using is 10AWG. Do you really need that much wire for fault current? I'd like to upgrade from 30 to 50 amps without having to replace the ground wire.
Thx!
In the video you said your system could run both generators at the same time. Did you mean in parallel or how you wired the inlets? Could you explain more or do you have another video showing how you did this. I just subscribed!
I have another video that kind of touches on it. But I have a power inlet box with interlock kit for my large generator and a 30 amp transfer switch for my little one. So if I want to run both I just hook up my little one to the transfer switch, transfer the power from the utility side to the generator on the transfer switch and it pulls everything on the transfer switch out of the main circuit. Hope that makes sense.
@@HowToHomeDIY it does. I didn't realize you had a separate transfer switch. Thank you for the reply. Your videos keep popping up on my feed and you are definitely one of the best when it comes to anything DIY home related. Didnt even realize I wasn't subscribed. Thanks again man.
Thanks!
You are very welcome! Really glad to hear you found so much value it it all! Thanks a lot for the feedback and for the Super Thanks. It is very much appreciated!
with 30 ( 10 gauge wire ) amp gen. how long / far away can the generator be from the inlet box ? 25 ? 50 ? 100 ? more ? feet away ? thx for your vids, very helpful
I'd go with the 50A, just in case you wanted to get a bigger generator in the future. But if you have a small building with limited loads, the 30A may suffice.
NO.
I have a question. The main panel by the meter has a wire FPL seal on it. Can I break that to install the inlet box or do I have to connect at the breaker panel
No. That is their side of the power. You should have a main disconnect at a different panel.
I love your videos! Thanks so much, Bro! So, my generator is 30 amps (4500 watts) but my future plan is to get a larger generator (12,000 watt) 50 amp. So, can I go ahead and install a 50 amp receptacle to my home and then use a 30 amp adapter plug for now with the 4500 watt generator and then my home will already be set up for the 50 amp generator down the road. That will work, won't it?
Yup. You can always have the larger 50 amp rated wire and box installed and run a smaller generator on it but can’t do the opposite and have too small of wiring and box and run a larger one. Hope that makes sense. It’s good to plan ahead like you are. Thanks for the feedback!
I was thinking the same way. My generator only has a 30 amp plug. I was wondering if you go with a 50 and then get a bigger generator later
Got a link for an adapter to adapt the 50 amp to my 30 amp gen from the reliance box?
Thanks, one of these days we will buy generator and proper connection ..
The first thing I noticed was that the 50 amp receptacle had thicker prongs and ofc I didn’t notice it until I seen the prongs on the 30 amp receptacle and I did also notice right away the copper plate on the outer wall of the 50 amp receptacle.
So I got a 50 amp transfer switch but I'm but I know 30 amp will work can I use the 50 amp anyway or do I need to get a 30 amp transfer switch ?
Great vid! I have a a 3.5 ton AC with a micro air soft start. About 27 amps start 11 run. I need a generator that can run that unit, a fridge/freezer and a deep freeze. I would like to add light but those are my must haves. How big of a generator would I need? I have been looking at the Duromax 13000kw tri fuel and the amps on it are 35 out of 50 with natural gas(which I want to hook it too).
Thank you
That is my setup.I plan on never putting gasoline in it. I am interested in your ac soft start. I wonder if my old AC is worth the effort.
How big of generator you'd need could only be known once you calculate how many amps you need for your situation. My only suggestion would be to look at getting a soft start kit for your fridge/freezer, which allows the appliance to start at lower amps, but make sure it's appropriate and suited to your particular appliance.
Great video, so my question is. I have a generator that runs all three (gas, propane, and natural gas) highest is 9500 with 12500 starting. Natural gas is 7500 with 9500 starting. With this, would a 50amp breaker be ok if I decide to run natural gas. I might use the others, but natural gas will probably be my main source.
#10 ground wire is good up to 60a.
Let me ask you about my situation. I have a transfer switch on my house panel that has a 50 amp dual pole breaker with a 50 amp receptacle on the power inlet box. My F150 has a 30 amp female receptacle with 7.5KW maximum output. I have a generator cord with the 30 amp male plug to plug into the F150. The other end of the cord has the 30 amp female plug. Can I change out the 30 amp female plug on the cord to a 50 amp female to plug into the power inlet box? The cord is 10 awg wire. Will this work? Or, do I need to switch out the 50 amp breaker to a 30 amp and change the power inlet box receptacle to a 30 amp as well?
You need an adapter NEMA L14-30P to SS2-50R
I’m using a 30 amp inlet box for my generator. What size wire gauge do I need to run from the inlet box to my panel box with a 30 amp breaker and interlock switch if that run is 60’ long?
Is there an adaptor that you can use to plug into the 4 prong so you can plug in a 30amp rv surge protector to plug in your rv? I have been looking for one and can't find one anywhere.
Great Vidio
Generator cords, 50 amp, to connect generator to power inlet box. Is there a difference between a generator cord and a RV cord , to connect from generator to house ? Are they interchangeable? Some cords on female end have a twist lock, others have a threaded female ring ?
Can you do a video on changing out a electric panel?
Can you explain how you connect both of your generators at the same time? I heard you mention that just over half way through this video, but I did not hear you describe “how” you did that.
One to a power inlet video with interlock kit. One to a transfer switch.
Hello and thanks for the video! I have a couple questions for you. I plan on buying a generator that has a 240v 30amp L6-30R outlet. I have a ShinePick 50 Amp Generator Power Inlet Box, NEMA 3R Power Inlet Box,125/250V 12500W with a SS2-50R receptacle that runs to my homes sub panel. I want to be able to power my mini split AC that requires 240v. Am I able to do this with a L6-30P 3-Pin Male 220/250V Plug To SS2-50R adapter. So it would be a L6-30P cord coming out of the generator and then the L6-30P 3-Pin Male 220/250V Plug To S52-50R adapter from the cord to the inlet box to the sub panel. Any help is appreciated :)
50 Amp Generator Cord: I see some have the CS6364 female end and others the S2-50R. What is the difference and which is better for the generator, I see both are used?
So say that I go with 50 amp to power my house - will I be still be able to run a cord from a 120 on my generator to neighbors house to let’s say run her fridge and maybe a couple lights ?
Please help w this question: so im plugged into my house 200 amp panel w a 10500 w gen 50 amp plug and genn is floatiing neurtal. All is good. Question, what happens when my neighbor wants to plug directly into one of the 120 volt outlets on the gen? Is this potentially dangerous because at this point the gen should be bonded neutral? And for safety this scenario should be prohibited?
That's completely safe. Your generator becomes grounded when you plug it into your house via the 50 amp cable. It has a ground wire in it, that connects to your houses grounding rod.
I have a genny that is only capable of putting out 20 amps, but I have a 50 amp inlet box. Do you know if there is an adapter for the male end of the 50 amp cord that I could fit on it to plug it into my 20 amp generator and if that's safe to do?
Ok...now I'm confused as to if I got the right or wrong thing. I have a 30 amp transfer switch with 6 110 switches but just purchased a 11,000 WEN Generator. Am I going to be ok running this generator into my 30 amp service using the 30 amp cord and outlet?
Yes, that will be OK. The generator will send up to 30 amps from that 30 amp outlet and cord. And you are going into a transfer switch designed for 30 amps.