Outlet next to concrete pad. Purpose?

[Ahoragi]

The previous owners had this small pad set with this outlet next to it. I am not sure what the purpose is for it. Any ideas?

We have on-grid solar and the breaker panel seems to have a generator setup.

 

[stoveliker]

Yeah, I think that was for a generator.

 

[Dieselhead]

Generator. You would be back feeding the panel through the 50a breaker. Turn off main, slide up safety, turn on 50a. The slide is to ensure you only backfeed your house and not the grid.

 

[Ahoragi]

Yeah, I think that was for a generator.

Generator. You would be back feeding the panel through the 50a breaker. Turn off main, slide up safety, turn on 50a. The slide is to ensure you only backfeed your house and not the grid.

Very cool info, thanks. I am not sure how my generator will work with that, or if it can?

 

[Whitenuckler]

Very cool info, thanks. I am not sure how my generator will work with that, or if it can?

It says 240V and has the receptacle. You just need the right cord. The one outside is not twist lock and should be male. Then you plug a male into the gen, and the cord has female.

 

[EbS-P]

It says 240V and has the receptacle. You just need the right cord. The one outside is not twist lock and should be male. Then you plug a male into the gen, and the cord has female.

Note of caution always plug the cord into the generator after plugging into the house. The prongs on the house end of the cord will be live/hot/electrified if the generator is running.

My check list would be

House main breaker off.
Turn all other breakers off
Plug in both ends of generator cord
Start generator
Move interlock and turn on generator breaker
Turn on emergency circuits one by one. You will hear to manually manage the load as the generator isn’t that large but will run lights fridge and freezer tv and internet

That’s not a large generator

 

[Ahoragi]

It says 240V and has the receptacle. You just need the right cord. The one outside is not twist lock and should be male. Then you plug a male into the gen, and the cord has female.

I am thinking of converting the outside to male version of 14-50r receptacle and then use a conversion cord that goes from male 14-30r (generator) to female 14-50r (house outlet). In the future if we upgrade to a 10k watt genny then it should have a 14-50r outlet on it and I would just need to upgrade the cord.

Does that sound about right?

Note of caution always plug the cord into the generator after plugging into the house. The prongs on the house end of the cord will be live/hot/electrified if the generator is running.

My check list would be

House main breaker off.
Turn all other breakers off
Plug in both ends of generator cord
Start generator
Move interlock and turn on generator breaker
Turn on emergency circuits one by one. You will hear to manually manage the load as the generator isn’t that large but will run lights fridge and freezer tv and internet

That’s not a large generator

I think that's it. I spoke with the previous owner and he said it was for his 10k watt generator and powers everything in the house. He said to turn off the house main, then turn off the solar panels, then start generator and turn things on one by one.

Right now we just need to power two fridges, one upright freezer, wifi, pellet stove, tv, and a couple lights. The 4k watt generator handles all that just fine. I MAY be able to power the water system too (well pump, chlorinator, softener, reverse osmosis) but that needs to be tested.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I am thinking of converting the outside to male version of 14-50r receptacle and then use a conversion cord that goes from male 14-30r (generator) to female 14-50r (house outlet). In the future if we upgrade to a 10k watt genny then it should have a 14-50r outlet on it and I would just need to upgrade the cord.

Does that sound about right?

I think that's it. I spoke with the previous owner and he said it was for his 10k watt generator and powers everything in the house. He said to turn off the house main, then turn off the solar panels, then start generator and turn things on one by one.

Right now we just need to power two fridges, one upright freezer, wifi, pellet stove, tv, and a couple lights. The 4k watt generator handles all that just fine. I MAY be able to power the water system too (well pump, chlorinator, softener, reverse osmosis) but that needs to be tested.

Check the cable size used. 50A is pretty big. Yes, you can get an adapter. In this case it's all 230V. I had the case where I have both a 240V generator and a 120V. The house receptacle like yours but 30A, 240V. I bought an adapter that converts the 120 to 240 so I can use my small generator if I want. You are not going to be able to run a generator on that pad in the rain.
Edit - also, you are not supposed to be that close to the house due to the exhaust.

 

[EbS-P]

I am thinking of converting the outside to male version of 14-50r

But then you can’t plug your welder or car charger in….. may or may not be important.

 

[stoveliker]

.
Edit - also, you are not supposed to be that close to the house due to the exhaust.

I thought it was 5 ft for permanently installed generators, and for portable ones there is no rule?
Of course far from any openings (CO), and keeping hot exhaust fire safety in mind.

Or is there an official rule?

 

[Whitenuckler]

But then you can’t plug your welder or car charger in….. may or may not be important.

That receptacle should be dead at all times unless the main breaker is off due to the mechanical interlock. I'm sure an electrician did not install it as it would not match up with a standard generator cable, and you could have a live male pronged end you are inserting.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I thought it was 5 ft for permanently installed generators, and for portable ones there is no rule?
Of course far from any openings (CO), and keeping hot exhaust fire safety in mind.

Or is there an official rule?

For permanent generators with a proper muffler and enclosure that sounds right. I had a natural gas one near my house. For portable generators you would go by the owner manual.
"According to Firman Power Equipment, you should position your portable generator at least 20 feet (6 meters) away from your home, windows, doors, and vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. The exhaust should always point away from the house, and it must never be operated in a garage or enclosed"