30 Amp vs 50 Amp Power Inlet Box. What's The Difference and Which One Do You Need?

In this video, I will compare and contrast the difference between a 30 amp and 50 power inlet box and how to figure out which one you will need for your particular generator. I will also include important tips to make sure everything from the selection to the install is correct.
🧰 Products In The Video 🧰
Reliance 30 Amp Power Inlet Box: amzn.to/3qRSc9S
Reliance 50 Amp Power Inlet Box: amzn.to/3CwhHjq
30 Amp Generator Cord: amzn.to/3PfNYCO
50 Amp Generator Cord: amzn.to/3p9jnMI
Recommended Generators 5% or Less THD%:
Westinghouse 12,000 Watt Generator: amzn.to/42LwG3y
Champion 7,000 Watt Inverter Generator: amzn.to/3XdCSjF
🎥 Related Generator Videos 🎥
Transfer Switch Vs. Power Inlet Box With Interlock Kit: • How To Choose Between ...
How To Install a 50 Amp Power Inlet Box With Interlock Kit: • The BEST Way To Connec...
How To Run Your AC With a Portable Generator: • Why Every Homeowner Sh...
ALSO, here is our How To Home Amazon Store, where you can find many of the tools, items, and shirts I use and wear in my videos! amzn.to/3mcqu1E
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Blessings,
Adam
How To Home assumes no liability for damage or injury. How To Home highly recommends using proper safety procedures and professionals when needed. Our content is for entertainment purposes only. No information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not How To Home. How To Home will not be held liable for any negligent or accidental damage or injury resulting from equipment, tools, electrical, fire, electronics or any items contained in this video. Attempt projects and repairs at your own risk.

[@sveabryan9126]

Any store that sells a generator should know this. 2 box stores and not even basic answers to my simplest questions. This clip makes me want to ask more questions…so I’ll watch additional videos.

[@RelianceControls]

Wow, you crushed it! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and doing so with great accuracy and clarity. Super impressed and we thank you for using our products in your demonstration.

[@cliff9745]

THANK YOU! I take delivery of a DuroMax 9000ih this week, get my MicroAir soft start tomorrow, have an interlock kit installed and each time I open KZbin I see a very helpful video from you that answers questions that arise in getting this set up to run my 3 ton A/C. Thanks very much. Really well done without all the useless blabber on SO many sites.

[@chrisc8398]

Seems like the smart thing would be to install a 50 amp in case you want to upgrade in the future.

[@gibblespascack1418]

The question should be about what you need during an emergency. It should not be everything in your house unless if you are going with a whole house generator. You can go big, but you also need to have the fuel on site to keep the generator running through the emergency. If you have natural gas, sure go whole house, or have a good sized propane tank, and automatic switching does have its advantages. But for a portable generator, you have to feed something that may need 1 gallon of gas per hour at a 50% load(12 KW). If you have a large load(well pump, electric stove, ground sourced heat pump, resistance heating, big AC unit), then you need big power to start it, but if you don't have that or need that, then keep it basic. My storage is 27 Gal of gas which combined with my planned generator usage should last a week in winter or summer. If I had that 12 kw generator, that would cover 2-3 days with my usage of 4 hr in morning and 4 hr at night.

[@videodude8137]

I say most people do not already own a generator!

[@jamesborton9237]

Yes, it is best to run a #6 wire from inlet box to your breaker (or transfer switch) . If your generator is only 30 amps, when you UPGRADE to a 50 amp generator, you will already have the wire installed.

[@joey8567]

All of us commenting just run inlet, #6, 50amp inter lock, a quality whip line, and power it up. Customers, gotta put the safety in and idiot proof it.

[@GeekWireless]

Will a 30amp O/S plug box accept # 6 CU ,?

[@airmech4172]

Thanks for the good info. You have a gift for explaining things. You don't trip all over your sentences looking for the right word to explain something. Keep up the good videos!

[@jimpalmer1944]

First time I have ever had this explained. Thank you.

[@shangrilahomestead9930]

You’re so knowledgeable and I certainly appreciate you sharing this information.

[@dandiffenderfer6010]

This is the best video I've ever seen on the power inlet box discussion. It really helped when you did the equation at the end to get the amps.

[@paulnandico2370]

Excellent video! Really appreciate the formula for determining 30 vs 50 amp.❤

[@eddievibbert6740]

This is the very best channel for clear, concise & to the point information! No endless blather! Thank you so much!

[@Sean4realz]

This video just answered my burning question! 😅 Thanks so much!!

[@SherwoodSchwartz123]

One of the best channels on KZbin.

[@sweetsuccesstrading5097]

We have an inverter generator with both a 50 and 30 amp plug. The Generator (Genmax 9000 IED) only puts out a Maximum of 32 amps, but it can be tied together with an additional generator to get the Full 50 amps in the future, so I was thinking that installing the 50 amp would be best. Thanks for the tip of using 6 gauge wire 👍.

[@chrisforker7487]

Great informative video! I’ve never been good with electric, so I leave most of it to the pros!

[@stevesnop3798]

Great video. Explained very clearly. People also need to understand that most portable generators are neutral bonded. Important to remove that bond for feeding a home this way all ground and neutrals are only bonded at the first means of disconnect. I found and removed the bond on mine. I keep a make plug zip tied to the generator with a neutral to ground jumper in case I want to use the generator out in the field for powering lighting, tools, etc. i just plug in the jumper in that situation.

[@tomschmidt381]

Great advice. I did the same on my generator. Finding the bond can be tricky. On some it is at the power head others in the outlet area. I have a HF 7,000W genie, the bond was at one of the 120V receptacles. The generator is pretty heavy so I don't intend to move it around but figured I'd make the jumper plug just in case the need every arose.

[@gone4days956]

me too

[@JJHDZ68]

I have learned a whole lot from you, Sir. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge. God bless you and yours 🙏 ❤️

[@1new-man]

Better believe it; U can say that again!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Very kind of you. Really glad to hear you are finding value in the channel. God Bless and thanks a lot for taking the time to leave that feedback! Means a lot.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

SO, can I just go with the 50 amp plug for over kill ?@@HowToHomeDIY

[@snipe4847]

Thank you for the clarification.

[@BeLoose1]

Excellent explanation. Thank you!

[@sharpenrightservicesllc]

Thank you for this video. I always learn great information on your videos.

[@fb510m]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@picsbyjlm8557]

Great Video. Explained a lot for me

[@stevedimartino683]

Great job, very instructive

[@jwrhynejr.6689]

ALWAYS GOOD SHARED INFORMATION FOR US SIMPLE HARD HEADED OLD SCHOOL SENIORS!! THANK YOU FOR SETTING US STRAIGHT!! KEEP UP YOUR CONTENT SHARING!!

[@robertmunroe3976]

Excellent explanation.

[@michaelaxtell7391]

Solid advice sir!

[@sjpropertyservices3987]

Thank you for sharing.

[@generac43]

Good info! Thanks.👍

[@titofrias3970]

Thanks these very important information 😇

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome. Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@trehnert]

Great follow up vid!!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback Thomas!

[@fuegoman45]

Good stuff. Thanks 🙏

[@jim78]

Your videos are always amazing

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Really glad to hear you are finding value in the channel. Thanks a lot for the feedback Jim. Very kind of you!

[@kennethhuff7158]

Very helpful.

[@PaulCTownsend]

Great video and info thank you.

[@vacuitenonvide]

Merci beaucoup! Vous m'avez vraiement donné une idée comment faire le travaux par moi-même!

[@taimai6105]

Good job ,thank you so much

[@blazer1022]

Great info thanks you

[@PBS-nm1uu]

thanks for the info.

[@exploitingtheirpower]

Thanks for breaking it down to where I can understand the normal running watts vs the peak watts . The generator I’m hooking up does have the 50 amp outlet built into it but it’s a tri fuel gas being the highest wattage 7500 (normal operation) and 9400 peak by. So I will be using the 30 amp box to connect to my home so I can have some backup power

[@tomschmidt381]

As long as you have a 30A breaker protecting the inlet that is fine.

[@exploitingtheirpower]

@@tomschmidt381 I appreciate your reply thank you

[@tpaulj]

I have a similar situation, but is there a reason why I couldn't use the 50amp outlet on the generator and connect it to a 50amp input on my panel with a 50amp breaker installed? (thanks for all of your great videos. you have taught me a lot!)@@tomschmidt381

[@danielmiklusicak3117]

Good info!

[@OKFrax-ys2op]

Very clear video, thanks. Do you have any RV electrical videos?

[@mohavie2360]

great stuff sir. i learned a LOT from you. one question, could i put the generator on its side for storage or during transportation from one site to another?

[@terrienhumain6723]

Thank you.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome. Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@Johnfmolinelli]

Thanks for the wealth of info you share. Very well explained. I would like to take on the job of installing a power inlet box and an interlock myself. I am new to Florida, and I don't know if I am allowed to do the work myself and have it inspected. Eliectrician wants an awful lot of money. ( what should be an average cost to do such an installation?)

[@jimgideon7014]

EXCELLENT VIDEO

[@kingdomcalled1403]

Jim from Ohio 🇵🇷 Good information 👍

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback Jim! I am originally from Ohio. Visit there from time to time as a lot of my family is still there.

[@wlbdoutdoors]

Great video!

[@corevalues6244]

fantastic !

[@gustavocervantes5435]

Thank you for your very good info great video can you tell me how to connect the AC unit to the transfer box ? I have separated the 30amp breaker from my regular subpanel is located in front of my house in the main braker hope you can help me with this

[@jackie00776]

thanks!

[@ThulsaDooM1223]

I would really like for you to do a good video on tri-fuel conversion kits for generators. I really can't find a good one that explains things as well as you.

[@ccolbertus]

Good video and explanation

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Glad you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@MeMadeIt]

Thx!

[@mattyounis5636]

Such a great video

[@1new-man]

Thanks!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear you found so much value it it all! Thanks a lot for the feedback and for the Super Thanks. It is very much appreciated!

[@justthetruth5945]

Great videos

[@rj5403]

Good. Content..what's a good inverter gen for home. I have. 50 amp inlet box outside

[@clarencewiles963]

Electrical stuff can scare people, as it should because of the hazard. It takes planning to design your own system. Asking a electrician to look over what you have may be a good investment for 1hr of labor and depending upon your budget and needs.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Yeah, can't go wrong doing that. Thanks Clarence!

[@gtohavoc7257]

@@HowToHomeDIY I am having a 50 amp inlet installed. What I got from your video is the max amount of watts is 12000. So I’m guessing if I got a generator that can run at 12000 watts and peaks at 15000 watts would be a bit of waste correct? Great video and thanks!!!

[@TheMarathonMike]

After you connect the correct gauge wire from the plug, how do you connect the wire in the transfer panel? Do you use wire nuts on the supply wire to the wires in the transfer panel? Do you use Burndys? I wish there was a bar with better connections than just 2 large wires that need to be connected. I have a reliance transfer panel system.

[@kevinsheehan8202]

Great Video where can I purchase a CAT portable generator

[@urielrodriguez8298]

If I may suggest that you give the names of these connectors because when you are purchasing the power outlet box 30A/50A they have a description on them for each application. For example, the 30A connectors are NEMA14L-30P/L14-30R. Which is the connector that has one of the prongs that is shaped like an "L" facing inward. The 50A connectors are called NEMA14-50P/SS2-50R, the female end on this chord or connector has the "L" shape prong facing out. You have to match the connectors. It took me a while to figure this out. I visited websites to get the low down. Thanks for the content I liked the video!!

[@joshm3342]

I'd go with the 50A, just in case you wanted to get a bigger generator in the future. But if you have a small building with limited loads, the 30A may suffice.

[@ajsdfk]

NO.

[@fishlanding]

Thanks, one of these days we will buy generator and proper connection ..

[@alanlurie8675]

4 Questions: 1. What is the maximum length 50amp cable I can run from my house to the generator? 2. Can I connect two shorter, 50amp (25ft each) cables together to go 50ft? 3. When running a 50 amp unit, what gauge grounding rod cable do I need? 4. What is the maximum length cable I can use to earth ground the above? I would actually like to use a car jumper cable if possible. Thanks!!!

[@alexe6992]

great video, think its fine based on 70 amp example you have but if I have a 30 amp, 9,000 peak watt generator and a 30 amp but 7500 watt receptacle, would that be a problem? given that the generator has more wattage than the inlet box ?

[@tombo552001]

Another GREAT video. Now my generator will produce 31.25 AMP so should I go with the 50 AMP?

[@bigabe23]

go with 30amp.

[@markvonfeldt1459]

Adam, I really appreciate your videos. I really try to do a good job of researching things that I need to do before starting. Sometimes it’s hard to do the correct research if you don’t know the question to ask. With that being said I don’t blame anyone but myself but I really need your help locating a male 4 prong 50amp receptacle box to replace/install below my breaker box for my generator connection! I bought a suggested 3 prong 50amp box 2 weeks ago from amazon but all of the 50amp cords I’ve found locally have 4 prong connections on both ends. The generator connection for the 50amp is 4 prong and a 30amp on it is 3 prong. This is confusing to me but that doesn’t take much to do. Because of my disabilities and lack of tools and hard to find wire, which caused me to spend at least an hour and a half carefully stripping it from a cable, it took me 4 days sporadic work to complete! Not a lot of money but a lot of fortitude! I’m not sure if I can return this because I already installed it but I need to find a replacement now, if possible please!! GOD bless!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

I replied to your first comment but now I’m confused on what you have. Did you install a 50 amp power inlet box or a 30 amp? If it’s 50 then the male end of the cord should have 4 prongs on the male side for the generator and 3 holes on the female side for the power inlet box. If it’s a 30 amp power inlet box then it will be 4 prongs on the male side and 4 holes on the female side.

[@Cdr306]

Excellent overview. I have installed a 30 amp box since my gen is 7000 max. I thought about installing a 50 amp so down the road I could upgrade to a larger gen. Is there a converter plug/adaptor that would allow my generator to hook up to a 50 amp box? Thanks!

[@northwoodsliving101]

awesome!!!

[@Hippiebls]

Great videos thank you. I currently have a generator that only has a 240-volt 30-amp outlet I am going to install an inlet box. I was thinking about upgrading my generator in a few years to a larger one with a 50-amp power supply. Can I install a 50-amp inlet and just run my current generator with a 30-50amp adapter until I purchase another. Or could that cause a problem? Thanks again.

[@jeffmasters6223]

Great Vidio

[@PastorDaveSwaim]

Great video! Question: I want to have whole house back up for the rare power outages. The inverter kind is less powerful and far more expensive, but given that I have a gas furnace and refrigerators with control boards, some people seem to think they are necessary. Can I get away with a generator with higher THD or do I really need an inverter to run modern appliances?

[@mobilesushibargirl]

Hi thank u for the video! My food trailer came with a 50 amp cord, can I hook this up to a 30 amp generator using an adaptor safely ?

[@miloedwards79]

Got a link for an adapter to adapt the 50 amp to my 30 amp gen from the reliance box?

[@EastCoastWingNuts]

with 30 ( 10 gauge wire ) amp gen. how long / far away can the generator be from the inlet box ? 25 ? 50 ? 100 ? more ? feet away ? thx for your vids, very helpful

[@brandonmurphy4657]

I powered two mini split ac units one 27 k btu and one 18 with a 30 amp 7000 watt gen , lights fridge tv fans freezer .

[@paulsobe]

Hi. Wonderful videos. You are very clear and understandable. I really appreciate that. Here is my question. I have a 60 AMP Breaker installed because I power my Tesla EV. Do I need a 60 amp breaker for my generator as well? I believe so, but just wanted you to confirm/explain. Again, thanks a million...

[@paulsobe]

I guess that the Tesla charger will just go down from a 480 to a 240 charger. Am I right?

[@richroc7]

The first thing I noticed was that the 50 amp receptacle had thicker prongs and ofc I didn’t notice it until I seen the prongs on the 30 amp receptacle and I did also notice right away the copper plate on the outer wall of the 50 amp receptacle.

[@carlosantoniodeclet8005]

Hello. Thank you for your helpful videos 👍 My question is, if it's possible to install the 30 Amp power inlet box in conjunction with a manual transfer switch, with the purpose of being able to connect and disconnect the power cord extention cable when generator or power station are not in use? 🤔

[@howtodoitdude1662]

I agree with you, 6 gauge wire is rated for 50 amps.

[@carlamarieb7756]

Hello I have a question? We bought a DuroMax xp12000hx It says it has a 50 amp outlet for home transfer ready. Would that be the outlet needed for that type of generator? Thanks

[@orlandomiquel1305]

I’m using a 30 amp inlet box for my generator. What size wire gauge do I need to run from the inlet box to my panel box with a 30 amp breaker and interlock switch if that run is 60’ long?

[@gibblespascack1418]

I went with a 30 amp plug and a 50 amp manual Gen transfer switch. I do not need to run everything and with my generator+27 gal of stored gas, I can maintain the house for a week with my planned usage pattern. What I can't do is run the electric stove, electric clothes dryer, or whole house AC unit. In an emergency, I should not need those things. Note: backup cooking is a propane camping stove. If NG for heat runs out, there is 20 gal of Kerosene in storage for a Kerosun heater.

[@keithbeasley5862]

hey, Thank you for all your content, it's huge for peeps like me, that know very little on currents, power etc. I'm curious, why are you dividing by 240 instead of 120 to determine the amps? I'm dealing with a Cargo trailer conversion and will only use 120 and 12v for my operations. Should I still use 240 when determining the generator and amp inlet? or should I go with 120. I was leaning toward 30amp, but if I buy a 4000 watt gen and use 120 it comes up to 33.33, which is too much for the 30 amp serv inlet. thanks a bunch

[@robertmunroe3976]

In my humble opinion, 50 amp inlet box & interlock switch are the way to go, regardless of the current size of generator(as long as gen has a 50amp receptacle).

[@Sapphireleadershipadvisors]

My issue is that I have a 50 amp inlet and I use it for my generac 15K generator, but I am buying a ecoflow system that will be 30 amps. Is there a way to use an adapter in these situations if I need to switch back and forth or do I need a second inlet?

[@robertmunroe3976]

At Costco, I saw a Generac portable generator with 9200 running watts, but NO 50 amp receptacle, only a 30 amp. Weird…

[@EastCoastWingNuts]

ie how long of wire from inlet box to house panel ?

[@georgek.8134]

Generator cords, 50 amp, to connect generator to power inlet box. Is there a difference between a generator cord and a RV cord , to connect from generator to house ? Are they interchangeable? Some cords on female end have a twist lock, others have a threaded female ring ?

[@ggarcia432]

thanx for your video. I have a 60amp breaker for my welder in my breaker box. the plug is 30a- can i just change the plug ends to make them 50amp so i can connect a 13000 duramax generator to power my house in case of power outage?

[@davidbires2351]

I have a 5500 watt generator.. when plugged in to my 30amp service it can only run lights in the with maybe a fridge it has a hard time doing that... thank you for the great video...

[@ewicky]

This doesn't make sense. A 5500 W genset should have no problem running many lights, multiple fridges, TV, router, chargers, and even a heavier load or two like an air compressor, window aircon or portable aircon, well pump or sump pump, etc. Is it possible there was some other large load on that you hadn't noticed? Like maybe an electric water heater?

[@wawonajim2466]

50 Amp Generator Cord: I see some have the CS6364 female end and others the S2-50R. What is the difference and which is better for the generator, I see both are used?

[@paullitchfield2651]

I have a question, can the breaker that connects to the transfer switch to the panel be located anywhere on the panel? Or does it need to be installed directly under the main breaker? Thanks

[@jdz3169]

I have a predator 8750 peak generator with 28 amp max. Electrician told me to run a 50 amp wire and use an adapter to plug into my generator and the built in breaker would be enough to prevent overload since it would just shut off...does that sound right? And should i really go with 50 instead of 30??

[@karlashenfelter1745]

Good learning videos, thanks. So just installed a 50A house inlet, which adaptor do I use to get it to a 30 amp 120v generator plug in? I’m baffled looking on Amazon Thanks again!

[@johnsteed99]

You would need a 30 amp 240 volt outlet on the generator, not 120 volt. If you have the 30 amp 240 volt outlet, then you need NEMA L14-30P to SS2-50R

[@AAT287]

My generator has a 50amp outlet. Its a firman Tri-fuel with 9400/6500/5500 running watts on Gas/Propane/N.Gas. Will I be able to produce and connect to a 50amp box on N. Gas or will it not provide enough power?

[@lisas6056]

Is there an adaptor that you can use to plug into the 4 prong so you can plug in a 30amp rv surge protector to plug in your rv? I have been looking for one and can't find one anywhere.

[@sbchannel7006]

Can I connect my 30 amp generator output to a 50 amp power inlet? I may want to upgrade my generator to 50 amp output in the future but not now.

[@jdmattii1581]

I love your videos! Thanks so much, Bro! So, my generator is 30 amps (4500 watts) but my future plan is to get a larger generator (12,000 watt) 50 amp. So, can I go ahead and install a 50 amp receptacle to my home and then use a 30 amp adapter plug for now with the 4500 watt generator and then my home will already be set up for the 50 amp generator down the road. That will work, won't it?

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Yup. You can always have the larger 50 amp rated wire and box installed and run a smaller generator on it but can’t do the opposite and have too small of wiring and box and run a larger one. Hope that makes sense. It’s good to plan ahead like you are. Thanks for the feedback!

[@leyfavorite8501]

I was thinking the same way. My generator only has a 30 amp plug. I was wondering if you go with a 50 and then get a bigger generator later

[@stevelilley4203]

So say that I go with 50 amp to power my house - will I be still be able to run a cord from a 120 on my generator to neighbors house to let’s say run her fridge and maybe a couple lights ?

[@chadecoen]

Thank you for this video! I am going to install a back feed receptacle on my home (am aware of all the perils of doing so and the main will remain shut off while in use), below the panel. My harbor freight 9k generator has a 30amp 4 prong twist lock plug for 240v. However, I see (on amazon for instance) that most of the receptacles list 7500 watts max. Based on your formula, mine shows 37.5 amps. Should I be ok using a 30 amp receptacle if I use all 6 ga wires for the panel to receptacle, and for the cord? I'll still have small lugs at the connections