3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

skyzoomer wrote:
3. If I run it in the back yard, the total cable length will be about 100 feet (37 feet from transfer switch to back of house and 63 feet away from the house). What kind of cable do folks use when laying the cable on the ground outdoors? I also read someplace about putting cable in a garden hose but can 8-3 or 6-3 cable fit in a garden hose? Any comments on doing the garden hose trick?

I think option-1 (exhaust pipe) would be the best for my situation if it can guarantee that no fumes will get into our home. Heat rises so I think it would be fool proof. What do you folks think?

I can't tell you about the exhaust because that is not my field of expertise however, You do need to look at the properties of the cable you are going to use.

Cord coding numbers are different then any other multi conductor wire assembly. For example a 8/3 cord will have 3 wires while a 8/3 romex will have four wires. In cords the ground wire is counted in the number of conductors listed on the cord.
10/3 cord is good for 30amps @120 volts per NEC.
8/3 cord is good for 40amps @120 volts per NEC.
6/3 cord is good for 50amps @120 volts per NEC.

Now lets look at cord coding. The type of cord stampped on the jacket. Each letter of the code means something different. Most standard extention cords are coded type SJW.
"S" means standard rubber or plastic cord jacket.
"J" means junior grade. The jacket is thin and should not be left outside in use for long periods of time. The jacket can crack from heat and sunlight. It is also easy to nick and will not take much abuse.
"W" means simple enough "waterproof"
Now there is another code letters "O"
"O" means outdoor use.
Being a certified master electrician and the owner of TKMJ Productions a sound production and audio recording company, all of my cords are marked "SOW" (standard, outdoor, waterproof) This is the coding you want on your cords. "SOW" cords are very heavy with thick insulation and a very heavy jacket. They can take a lot of abuse of cars and trucks running over them. You can pull them thru gravel parking lots without worry. They are also very heavy in weight. About the only thing you can't do to them is run them over with your lawn mower.

Stay away from any cord for your RV or genset that has the "J" marking unless it is used in an area that will not have traffic walking on it. Type "J" cords are "very light duty" and do not take a lot of abuse.

So lets get back to your cord in the backyard. I would recomend a "SOW" cord if you plan on letting it set outside for long periods of time (longer then a week) or a "SO" type cord if you are going to run the cord out when the power fails and put it away when power is restored. "SO" cord can set outside for a few days without a worry.

Both types of cord are available thru an electrical supply house. You can even order it on line by the roll in different colors, Most rolls are 100' 250' and 500' respectivly. A supply house will usually have it in black only. They can order colors for you but will insist that you purchase the entire spool or coil. The black cord is cut to legnth off a big roll while you wait.

Ken

P.S. I almost forgot. Forget the garden hose thing. All it will do for you is keep the natural heat of the cord inside the hose. Heat in your cords can be your worst nightmare. Keep them cool by allowing the natural wind to help take away the heat. Don't coop them up. It will cause more problems in the long run. Besides, cords are designed to run free. NEC states that it is unsafe to run a cord thru and means of conduit. Whoever gave you this idea is a fool!