Why would the 110 volt input to the distribution panel from the inverter be a 3 conductor plus ground?

[Pgh-skip]

I'm in the process of removing a Magnum 24 volt system. The 110 volt input was wired to the distribution panel using 3 conductor plus ground cable. The new 48 volt 3 kw Eg4 inverter only has a connector for a line, a neutral and a ground. Why did the old inverter have the three conductor wire? The third conductor is red in color. How do I wire the new inverter to the distribution panel? I'm in a different location so I looked at the panel.

 

[Rednecktek]

The old inverter was wired in as a split phase 240 output wiring which in the US is Hot-1 (Black), Hot-2 (Red), Neutral (White), and Ground (Copper/Green).

 

[John Frum]

Why did the old inverter have the three conductor wire?

Please post a picture of the ac out connectors on the magnum inverter/charger.
I suspect its 120/240VAC split phase.
120/240VAC split phase is typically L1=black, L2=red, N=white and G=green.

 

[Ampster]

The answer to the question in the title is that the distribution panel was probably 240 volt split phase. As mentioned above, probably Black, Red, White and Ground.

 

[time2roll]

I'm in the process of removing a Magnum 24 volt system. The 110 volt input was wired to the distribution panel using 3 conductor plus ground cable.

Hard wired right? What color are the wires? What do the wires connect to?

Yes either split phase or there is a separate terminal for a chassis ground.

 

[12VoltInstalls]

either split phase or there is a separate terminal for a chassis ground

Or as I’ve seen people do for reasons unexplained they used 4-conductor and the red is just taped on both ends. Maybe because it was in stock whereas 3-conductor wasn’t?

What do the wires connect to?