<span class="highlight">Generator</span> question

Hi Allen B

I cant my head around that diagram in your link.

I purchased a set (2 leads) of these when I purchased our 2kv Honda with the express intent of that if needed one day I could most likely purchase another generator same specs easier than a set of the dedicated cables (if away from a regional center)

To be honest I have not looked at the set up requirements but as I recall they are simply 1 set of two leads (Im not at home atm so cant look at them)....the diagram seems to be using 2 sets and a power board...so what plugs in where when you // two gens?

The agent I purchased the geny from and the // leads knew nothing when I questioned him so I just put them away with the intention of checking it out one day......this post has prompted me to now find out what exactly I need to carry in preparation for the need maybe one day.....until this post I thought I was carrying all I need.

Thanks

Hi Bungarra,

There are two options for parallel operation of the Honda gennies.

The simplest is a pair of special leads to interconnect the machines and you then draw load from any one ore more of the 240v outlets on the machines. The setup looks like this:




The other view you have seen is the second Honda option called a "Parallel Kit" which,as well as the special paralleling leads, has a receptacle box with 30A rated 240v sockets to permit drawing the full available current of the paired generators from a single socket.The Honda instructions for this "Receptacle Box" are as follows:





Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to parallel two generators by interconnecting the 240v outlets of the machines. It is highly likely that improper synchronisation would occur with resultant damage. More importantly is the risk of electric shock as you would need to use an interconnecting cable with live exposed pins at one end. The special Honda interconnecting cables have plugs which do not expose the live pins.

Thanks Allan

All clear to me now. I have the leads for connecting as per your diagram and it is how I understood it to be. The parallel kit is what confused me

Appreciate your answer..hope I didnt hijack the thread but I am sure your answer would have helped the OP as well

Graeme

No worries. It would be good to hear from someone actually using this system.

.

I share The Bantam's apprehension about operating generator sets in parallel, but I do not believe it to be illegal in Australia, provided that the arrangement meets the relevant legislation incorporating the applicable Standards.

The Australian Standard for "Electrical Generating Sets" is AS/NZ 2790 and it references to 18 other Standards, so it would seem to be fairly comprehensive.
In the "Scope" of this Standard it states: "Generating sets complying with this Standard are not normally suitable for operation in parallel with other sets or with reticulated supply (even where such is permissible) because of the lack of controls and instrumentation." This would primarily be in reference to the synchronisation procedure for paralleling two generators and "not normally suitable" is the operative expression, however Honda machines are equipped with the means of automatic synchronisation by way of their proprietary interconnect cable assembly and likely do not fall within that consideration.

As I'm sure The Bantam would know, it is illegal in Australia to sell or use an electrical product or accessory that is not appropriately approved and I doubt that Honda would risk offending the Australian laws.

I do not see any issue with "The power board with two input cables" being "certainly not approved". This is not a regular power board with a short cable and male 3-pin plug. It is supplied from the two special Honda cable & plug assemblies which do not exhibit exposed electrical components. Accordingly, no particular electrical hazard exists even if one cable is disconnected from its generator.

I thoroughly agree that there are hazards associated with the use of any electrical equipment but I am not convinced that the Honda generator paralleling system poses any particular hazard.

A Google search revealed a lot of discussion on possibilities of self-manufacturing a parallel cable/power box arrangement rather than purchasing a genuine Honda one. This could be extremely foolhardy and only attempted by persons who do not appreciate the risks involved.

Incidentally, it would seem that Yamaha have a similar paralleling scheme.

But I do agree with Bantam's last line that "this paralleling of generators in a domestic situation is unnecessary and poses additional dangers".

While I am only too well aware that it is illegal to sell non approved items where it is required....one does not have to look very far to find non-compliant or marginally compliant items....and from surprisngly high profile suppliers.

It keeps comming back to the 3 questions

Show me where in australian standards that this is permitted.

Not just that it is permitted in theory but the mechanism and the whole arrangement

Show me the approvals documents for the link cable or an electrical regulator ruling that says it is not required?

The use of such a cable would require some sort of double shrouded plug and socket that shows no live contacts on either part at any time.
Such a plug is not a standard Australian electrical item and would require approval in its self.

Show me a ruling from an australian electrical regulator saying that this arrangement is permitted.

As with any marginal electrical practise, anybody wishing to market or undertake such a practice is wise to get ruling.
There are rulings on one thing or another issued every month.

I remain interested in further information.

cheers
Now looking at the pictures posted.
they show a cable with a 3 core flex split into 3 seperate wires.
this in its self is illegal under AS3000, even if that was otherwise legal it would have to be done in a junction box.
secondly it looks like the individual cables are single insulated..agian plainly illegal.
AND
there is a basic requirement that any connection of mains electricity for general use all 3 connections must be in 1 plug.

If there is an Australia specific arrangement for this I would be interested to see pictures.