Should you ground a portable generator?

[Oggie]

Of of my esteemed co-workers is on a rant about buying a portable generator due to the impending ice storm and whether or not he should ground it.

We have a generator in the barn, but rarely use it. It's used mainly when I need to use a power tool far away from an outlet for a job that takes more oomph than a cordless tool.

I'd never really thought about the need to ground the generator. I suppose that it might be wise for household use.

But, frankly, I don't know that much about it.

Does anyone else?

[fordy]

Originally Posted by Oggie

Of of my esteemed co-workers is on a rant about buying a portable generator due to the impending ice storm and whether or not he should ground it.

We have a generator in the barn, but rarely use it. It's used mainly when I need to use a power tool far away from an outlet for a job that takes more oomph than a cordless tool.

I'd never really thought about the need to ground the generator. I suppose that it might be wise for household use.

But, frankly, I don't know that much about it.

Does anyone else?

...................IF , you're plugging tools into the ginset inside the barn and there is NO connection too any 120\240 wiring within the barn , I wouldn't worry about grounding it . But , if it is connected too the house wiring the neutral in the ginset will eventually be tied too the fuse panel ground for the whole home electricial system . Therefore I would ground the genset then the ginset is grounded via earth ground just as the power grid system is that supplies your home or other out buildings ! , fordy

[Bearfootfarm]

It depends on how it's being used, but it cant hurt to ground it

http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurr..._generator.pdf

[palani]

Being lightning conscious I would tend to stay away from a ground connection at least with 120/220 portable generators. Many time a lightning strike in the area will raise the ground potential which then might cause insulation breakdown in the generator.

Permanently installed generators are another story. Obey all local electrical codes.

[ace admirer]

As others have said above...if powering a house using household neutral and ground wiring. the generator should (and must by NEC update) be grounded using the SAME ground rod (or one driven very close) as the panel ground. if the generator has its own ground rod some distance from the household ground, a circuit will be set up which could cause a problem almost like a floating neutral.

on other thoughts,,,remember the neutral wire IS connected to the ground wire at the panel, meter base and at the distrubution transformer.........the neutral and ground are not isolated from each other.....a bolt of lightning that has traveled 3 miles to hit your house will not care a hoot about a layer of insulation between the windings of wire in a generator....

[o&itw]

Originally Posted by Oggie

Should you ground a portable generator?

Only if the Pilot's drunk.

[k9]

Cat's make good grounds.

[Nevada]

Originally Posted by Oggie

Of of my esteemed co-workers is on a rant about buying a portable generator due to the impending ice storm and whether or not he should ground it.

It depends on whether you depend on the ground. Otherwise the current will power your appliances and tools just fine without a ground.

Grounding isn't as critical as it used to be. Years ago most everything was fabricated in a metal enclosure, so grounding was critical in the event of an electrical fault. Today most tools are made in plastic enclosures, so they're already insulated.

Just pay attention to whether you're depending on the ground, and be aware of when the portable generator isnt grounded.

[jross]

If the geset is connected to the house wiring with a three conductor connector, isn't it automatically connected the the house ground via the ground and neutral?

[ronbre]

i beleive the law requires that they be grounded

[ace admirer]

Originally Posted by jross

If the geset is connected to the house wiring with a three conductor connector, isn't it automatically connected the the house ground via the ground and neutral?

Yes, that is correct

safety is about redundundency, so the alternate path to ground IS the ground wire. the neutral is the intended path to ground NEC requires the second path. and requires the generator grounding.

i think that if one looks at any new generator, a grounding cable lug will be present....the vender would not go to the expense if the liability were not there.