Canada Dreams

hi

does anyone know how to wire a L14 generator socket, i need to know what they mean by HOT??
ground ok
neutral ok
Hot (whats this?) is it the red wire or the black

thank you

paul

Aviator

This is my understanding, but I do bring in a electrician to do the work for us.

Both red and black can be the hot wire (live). Is it a 4 pin or three pin? If it's a 4 pin the ground is green, the neutral is white (usually silver terminal) and hot is the black wire and red wire and it does not matter which way round they go, so long as its on a hot terminal.

Canada Dreams

yes its a 4 pin plug, that was what i was thinking, but was not sure, many thanks for that, if this is wrong maybe someone could let us know

Bill_S

A little more information would be helpful, but some basics:

In North America, typical residential service is two 110-120 volt live conductors that are 180 degrees out of phase, and a neutral conductor. Ground is local to the residence and is usually a bare copper conductor. The live (hot) conductors are black and/or red, the neutral is white. Pairing either of the hots to neutral gives you 110-120 volts; pairing the two hots gives you 220-240 volts.

Use a circuit tester to make sure.

Note: I am not an electrician, just an advanced DIY homeowner. If you aren't 100% sure of what you're doing, hire a licensed electrician.

moondevil

just asked the OH for you, although he is not red seal yet

right red and black are HOT...this means they are live
white is neutral
bare/green is earth.............this goes to the big pin

Hope that helps

Mikey B

I am an Electrician - the above is correct, both Black and Red wires here are classed as Hot (Live), Look at the name plate on the generator, I assume its a 220V supply? If so then it would need both hot wires (Red and Black) to 2 seperate breakers on the panel along with neutral and ground.

As the poster above says if you arent 100% sure hire an Electrician, for the 80-100 bucks an hr it will cost you its worth it.

Souvenir

Ah, good. An electrician online. A bit of advice please.

We're going away for ten days over Christmas. I have become rather sensitive to water-related nasties and do not like the idea of leaving the system active while we are away. I'm thinking the best idea is to turn it off and drain it. What do I do with the water heater (electric). Simply turn it off at the board? Empty it? Partially empty it?

Steve_P

Not an electrician, nor do I own an electric hot water tank.

Does the thermostat have a holiday setting?

Personally these days we turn off the pilot light on ours (same as turning off at the panel). We also turn off all water at the main shut off, if anyone is coming in to water plants we make sure adequate water is in a five gallon plastic bucket kept in the bath tub.

We also turn down household thermostat to about 50F

Not long now.

Souvenir

Thanks for the advice, though.

neill

Here's some info from a manufacturer:

http://www.giantinc.com/tech-data/ma..._pou_elect.pdf

See page 11

Souvenir

Merci.

neill

de rien

Canada Dreams

thank you

Mikey B

Ive always left them while on vacation, I dont care about the wasted energy for 2 weeks while Im away as its minimal and the risk of damaging the house is minimal and hence what insurance is for anyway (after all your just as likely to get struck by lightning) and weigh that up against the hassle of turning it off and draining it - best just to leave it but thats me - I hate hassle!

If you do wonna turn it of then its just as the guide says on the nice link provided.

Bill_S

Thanks for the assurance, Mikey.