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On Jun 13, 3:58 pm, "jack" wrote:
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I need to make a short extension cord that goes from my portable
generator 240V 4-wire receptacle to a 3-wire receptacle that powers 2
120V house circuits. The 3-wires are red and black and white. How do I
make this? The 3 wires go into a junction box where the white wire is
attached to some kind of common connection and the red and black are
each attached to its own toggle switch that flips the power between
the power company and the generator.

Your little circuit doesn't have a ground? That is pretty idiotic; I would
recommend against using it. Who knows what else is done improperly.

Isn't the transfer the box that has the 2 toggle switches to switch
between power company and generator? Everything was already in place
and working when I bought the house. The only thing missing was how
the generator hooked up to the 3-wires going to the sub-panel. What
ever contraption the previous owner used to connect his generator to
the end of the 3 wires is missing and a mystery to me. I am pretty
certain that whatever he did was correct. I just don't know what he
used to go from 4 wires to 3 wires.


The previous owner probably used a suicide cord and was smart not to leave
it behind for you. The two independent toggle switches could be three way
switches that toggle between generator power and street power. However the
two poles must be switched together, not independently which makes your set
up wrong and potentially unsafe.

You need to re-do this whole connection. You need a flanged inlet to
connect your cord to. You need a real transfer switch or an interlock kit
to make the transfer. And you will need to fabricate or purchase an
appropriate cord.