SHORT ANSWER for 120/240 you need 4 wires NOT JUST 3,,,,,,,2 Hots, Neutral, Ground
LONG WINDED ANSWER
We have been through this ad nauseum on here many many times over including Billy Bobs NEC questionable answers and/or other answers that could get you (or a utility lineman) killed plus be major NEC violations.
NOTE check with LOCAL AUTHORITY like the Utility provider and any local inspection authority and do what they tell you over anyone here, including myself, they NOT US rule. If in doubt consult local trained competent professional electricians and engineers, dont risk a fire or your life based solely on any answers provided here, be they lay or professional, including yours truly !!!!!!!!!!!!
That being said, here is my professional albeit rusty on the latest Codes, advice BUT NO WARRANTY, CHECK WITH LOCAL AUTHORITY NOT ME OR ANYONE HERE
The answer in my opinion depends on 3 things:
1) Is the Genset configured as a "Seperately derived Source"
2) Is the Genset 120 volt ONLY or 120/240???
3) Are you going to use a 2 or 3 pole Transfer Switch (or system or plugs n cords etc) I.E. are you going to switch the Neutral GrounDED Conductor or not???????????????
If the genest is 120/240 volt single phase three wire,,,,,,,,,,AND you plan to use only a 2 pole Transfer Switch (IE you DO NOT switch the Neutral GrounDED Conductor),,,,,,,,,,,,AND at the Genset the Neutral GrounDED Conductor and the Equipment GroundING Conductor ARE NOT BONDED TOGETHER (or the connection is seperated if it were bonded at the factory as some are),,,,,,,,,,
YOU NEED 4 WIRES: Two Hot UnGrounDED Conductors One Neutral GrounDED Conductor One Equipment GroundING Conductor
IF ITS ONLY 120 VOLT SINGLE PHASE
YOU ONLY NEED 3 WIRES" 1 Hot UnGrounDED Conductor 1 Neutral GrounDED Cond. 1 Equipment GroundING Cond
a) Dont forget to UN BOND any Neutral to Case/Frame connection (like many from factory have) if you plan to only use a 2 pole Transfer Switch or other such switching (Utility versus genset) methods.
b) Dont forget to carry an equipment GroundING Conductor out to the Genset and bond it to the Case/Frame.
c) ABSOLUTELY USE A TRANSFER SWITCH OR SOME OTHER SORT OF LOCK OUT DEVICE OR SYSTEM OR METHOD SO THERES NO WAY POSSIBLE THE GENSET CAN BACKFEED THE UTIITY AND KILL SOMEOMNE
d) DO NOT JURY RIG ANY SORT OF PLUG THAT CAN HAVE HOT EXPOSED TERMINALS THAT CAN GET A BODY KILLED DEAD
SUMMARY
For 120/240 Volt and 2 Pole Xfer with Gensets Neutral and Case/Frame NOT BONDED 4 wires
For 120 volt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,3 Wires
Im sure I missed something, if so perhaps the other fine knowledgeable sparkies here can add to this......
John T Tooooo long retired AC Power Distribution Electrical Design Engineer and rusty on the latest Codes SO NO WARRANTY CHECK WITH LOCAL UTILITY AND AUTHORITY
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