Generator Adapter

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Posted by admin | Posted in Parts And Stuff | Posted on 10-09-2010

Tags: .net, generator, generator adapter, generator adapter cord, generator adapter cord set, generator adapter plugs, java, rv generator adapter, tools, web2.0

Generator Adapter

Generator Adapter
Is it safe to connect a 120V 30A device to a standard household outlet?

I have an APC server battery backup that was given to me. It has an L5-30P connector on the cord. I know I can take that connector off and put a connector that would plug into a standard household outlet on, but would it be safe?

If not, would using an adapter be any safer? I have an adapter that was designed for RV/Marine applications. We bought it a while ago during a hurricane in case we needed to hook the UPS up to a generator but never ended up using it.

To a regular household outlet, it won't work. Having done the wiring in homes and businesses, I know that the NEC dictates that every outlet be hooked up to a 15A or 20A breaker, except those that are for a specific purpose, such as an oven, electric Water Heater, dryer, sprinkler pump, and other such things, which require a 30A or 50A breaker and often have a different kind of outlet shape. To put something that draws 30A from a regular outlet would trip the breaker pretty fast, and you would never be able to run it for more than a minute. Sure, it'd be safe, but it wouldn't work because the breaker would always trip.

Also, to take out the 20A breaker and replace it with a 30A so you could run the device wouldn't be safe unless you rewired the house. Most outlets are hooked up with 12-2 or 14-2 wire. You need 10-2 or 8-2 for 30A draw, otherwise it will heat the wire too much. The conductivity on 12-2 or 14-2 is too low for that kind of current draw, and it will heat the insulation and possibly do some damage there.

Using an adapter . . . Actually those adapters are generally not for this kind of thing. Usually they consist of little more than a transformer and a different kind of connector. You could try it - I think it would probably be safe (if the current draw gets too high, then it will trip the breaker) unless it transforms the voltage too much.

35mm Adapter test 01