I was wondering if someone has five minutes to review requirements?

[daniel Napier]

Good Day;

I am installing an external portable 4KW, 30A generator to my small mountain cabin. I have accounted for an external generator hook point, external 30A fused disconnect leading to the internal 12-way Square-D power distribution board. An external 4ft copper ground rod provides the ground protection to the entire system. My main Square-D board has its own mains isolation switch between the incoming supply and board distribution breakers. I have been reading up on USA electrical code, and I have to say there is allot conflicting information out there. I am aware each state/city has its own requirements however; the N.E.C sets the national guidelines.

To this end, I would like to follow the N.E.C guide lines for my installation. I am not 100% certain on the power board breaker types required for each of my circuits/applications. To my knowledge there are four main types of a breaker: 1) regular breakers, 2) GFCI breakers, 3) AFCI and 4) GFCI/AFCI combo-breakers.

Below are my main circuits and assumption to the breakers I require:

• 5 x outside deck lights, on a: 15AMP AFCI /GFCI combo breaker?
• 4 x external power sockets (each socket is already GFCI protected) on a: 20amp AFCI breaker?
• 4 x internal sockets (not individually GFCI protected) on a: 20Amp AFCI /GFCI combo breaker?
• 4 x internal cabin lights; on a 15Amp AFCI /GFCI combo breaker?
• 1 x internal wall mounted 1500W Electric panel heater; on a 15AMP AFCI /GFCI combo breaker?

I have also included a Square-D QO surge breaker in my board in case of lightning or power spikes caused by the generator. The cabin is located in Colorado, should there electrical requirements be more stringent than the N.E.C guidelines.

1. I would very much appreciate it if someone could provide me feedback on my breaker choices to comply with the N.E.C guidelines.
2. Based on my written description is there anything else I have missed?

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

Daniel

 

[Megawatt]

Good Day;

I am installing an external portable 4KW, 30A generator to my small mountain cabin. I have accounted for an external generator hook point, external 30A fused disconnect leading to the internal 12-way Square-D power distribution board. An external 4ft copper ground rod provides the ground protection to the entire system. My main Square-D board has its own mains isolation switch between the incoming supply and board distribution breakers. I have been reading up on USA electrical code, and I have to say there is allot conflicting information out there. I am aware each state/city has its own requirements however; the N.E.C sets the national guidelines.

To this end, I would like to follow the N.E.C guide lines for my installation. I am not 100% certain on the power board breaker types required for each of my circuits/applications. To my knowledge there are four main types of a breaker: 1) regular breakers, 2) GFCI breakers, 3) AFCI and 4) GFCI/AFCI combo-breakers.

Below are my main circuits and assumption to the breakers I require:

• 5 x outside deck lights, on a: 15AMP AFCI /GFCI combo breaker?
• 4 x external power sockets (each socket is already GFCI protected) on a: 20amp AFCI breaker?
• 4 x internal sockets (not individually GFCI protected) on a: 20Amp AFCI /GFCI combo breaker?
• 4 x internal cabin lights; on a 15Amp AFCI /GFCI combo breaker?
• 1 x internal wall mounted 1500W Electric panel heater; on a 15AMP AFCI /GFCI combo breaker?

I have also included a Square-D QO surge breaker in my board in case of lightning or power spikes caused by the generator. The cabin is located in Colorado, should there electrical requirements be more stringent than the N.E.C guidelines.

1. I would very much appreciate it if someone could provide me feedback on my breaker choices to comply with the N.E.C guidelines.
2. Based on my written description is there anything else I have missed?

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

Daniel

Daniel if the log cabin is already wired by code it should already have at least 1 ground rod if that’s not the case you need to drive 2 ground rods no less than 6 foot apart using #6 bare wire and tie all the rods and neutral bar together

 

[daniel Napier]

Daniel if the log cabin is already wired by code it should already have at least 1 ground rod if that’s not the case you need to drive 2 ground rods no less than 6 foot apart using #6 bare wire and tie all the rods and neutral bar together

Good Afternoon. The cabin currently has no electrical installation. I will ensure two ground rods are installed. Have I chosen my board breakers correctly?

 

[Megawatt]

Good Afternoon. The cabin currently has no electrical installation. I will ensure two ground rods are installed. Have I chosen my board breakers correctly?

Daniel the only thing that I seen I think where you want to plug in your 1500 watt heater I think you should go 20 amps. You call it a cabin, having said that code enforcement could label it as a building. Make sure all loads are GFCI protected and ground all metal parts like boxes, switches, receptacles

 

[daniel Napier]

Daniel the only thing that I seen I think where you want to plug in your 1500 watt heater I think you should go 20 amps. You call it a cabin, having said that code enforcement could label it as a building. Make sure all loads are GFCI protected and ground all metal parts like boxes, switches, receptacles

I really appreciate the advice. I will increase the heater circuit to 20A, ensure everything is grounded properly and will use GFCI/AFCI combo-breakers on the board accept for the outside sockets as they are already GFCI protected. In this case, I will use just AFCI breakers on the distribution board.

Thank you again.

Daniel

 

[Megawatt]

I really appreciate the advice. I will increase the heater circuit to 20A, ensure everything is grounded properly and will use GFCI/AFCI combo-breakers on the board accept for the outside sockets as they are already GFCI protected. In this case, I will use just AFCI breakers on the distribution board.

Thank you again.

Daniel

Daniel good luck my friend and enjoy your cabin

 

[daniel Napier]

Daniel good luck my friend and enjoy your cabin

Thank you again.

Daniel