Generator tripping 240v circuit breaker

[hammick]

Both wires were black and it didn't even dawn on me they were separate legs. I guess the fact that there is only one 120v duplex outlet on the genny should have clued me in. I didn't notice the tab removed on the outlet I replaced. The other 120v outlet is a 30a RV plug.

[Sunking]

Both wires were black and it didn't even dawn on me they were separate legs..

That is inexperience and lack knowledge of electrical codes and color codes. Black = Hot, White = Neutral, Green = Ground...

I am not criticizing you, just pointing out any electrician who sees two black wires automatically knows what he has (L1 and L2). So when you seen 2-Black, 1-White, and 1-Green should tell you immediately you have a 4-wire 240/120 circuit. It is what you did not know that got you into trouble.

I am glad you figured it out, and thankful it was just a generator output and not utility power. If it had been utility power a tripped breaker would have been the least of your problems. You would have had an ARC FLASH to deal with. Which brings us back to your batteries again. Make that mistake with them and you will be introduced to Arc Flash 101. With Arc Flash 101 there are only two grades the teacher issues. One is nice and Adorable, and the other is a big fat Fire

[Bala]

That is inexperience and lack knowledge of electrical codes and color codes. Black = Hot, White = Neutral, Green = Ground...

I am not criticizing you, just pointing out any electrician who sees two black wires automatically knows what he has (L1 and L2). So when you seen 2-Black, 1-White, and 1-Green should tell you immediately you have a 4-wire 240/120 circuit. It is what you did not know that got you into trouble.

As there are a few people on the forum from other parts of the world, those wire colors and configurations may not apply. So make sure you know what you are doing.

For Australia we have only 240V for households, small gensets. Only 3 wires know as active neutral and earth. Active and neutral have a few color variants. Earth is always green. White is not used for AC here.

[Sunking]

As there are a few people on the forum from other parts of the world, those wire colors and configurations may not apply. So make sure you know what you are doing.

Well Hammick is in the USA. This being a DIY site means most have no clue what they are doing. If they did, they would not be here in the first place.

[Logan005]

I know when wiring a half duplex switched outlet in homes, I break the tab, to split the receptacle. seems designers don't do it as much these days. All 3 bedrooms in our house are wired like this.

[hammick]

Well Sunking I have to disagree. First I am no electrician but I have a lot of wiring experience. Two black wires doesn't always mean L1 and L2. There are often at least four outlets on a 20a or 15a circuit. Two black wires on all but the last outlet and the tab is intact. One black travels to the next outlet.

[Sunking]

Well Sunking I have to disagree. First I am no electrician but I have a lot of wiring experience. Two black wires doesn't always mean L1 and L2. There are often at least four outlets on a 20a or 15a circuit. Two black wires on all but the last outlet and the tab is intact. One black travels to the next outlet.

That would be 6-wires (2 black, 2 white, 2 green).You would not break the TAB at any daisy chained outlet in the scenario you just mentioned. The last outlet would only have 3 wires of L>N>G. You had a dedicated outlet with 4-wires making it 2 dedicated circuits. One circuit on L1, and another on L2.

[hammick]

Removed the tab on the outlet and the generator runs and puts out power like new.