Comments on: Bonding and Grounding Portable Generators http://blog.rv.net/2009/11/bonding-and-grounding-portable-generators/ RV Campground & Camping Information - RV, Motorhome, Camper, Travel Trailer & 5th Wheel Owners Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:54:04 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Larry Cad http://blog.rv.net/2009/11/bonding-and-grounding-portable-generators/comment-page-1/#comment-106574 Larry Cad Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:12:07 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=12931#comment-106574 Rob, you state that if your RV is not plugged into shore power, then it is covered by the OSHA directive. I'm not certain how you arrive at this conclusion, but I would be more inclined to think the generator would be covered by installation requirements for an auxiliary generator for a residence, unless you are doing construction on your RV! :-) Second, I do not understand your advice not to plug into shore power and run your generator at the same time. Of course, this would depend on if you have a properly functioning transfer switch, a point you didn't mention. Third, I stand by my advice that if you have a generator connected to your RV, the neutral should be bonded to ground in order to provide a proper, and safe path for fault current to flow. Larry Rob, you state that if your RV is not plugged into shore power, then it is covered by the OSHA directive.

I’m not certain how you arrive at this conclusion, but I would be more inclined to think the generator would be covered by installation requirements for an auxiliary generator for a residence, unless you are doing construction on your RV! :-)

Second, I do not understand your advice not to plug into shore power and run your generator at the same time. Of course, this would depend on if you have a properly functioning transfer switch, a point you didn’t mention.

Third, I stand by my advice that if you have a generator connected to your RV, the neutral should be bonded to ground in order to provide a proper, and safe path for fault current to flow.

Larry

]]> By: Rob Fauchon http://blog.rv.net/2009/11/bonding-and-grounding-portable-generators/comment-page-1/#comment-106535 Rob Fauchon Sat, 09 Apr 2011 23:42:45 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=12931#comment-106535 Further research shows up more when you read the OSSHA regulations regarding generators used on construction sites. If your RV is not plugged into shore power, then it is covered by this directive. Basically : 1.do not plug your RV into shore power and your generator at the same time. 2. Understand the reason for a. Bonding and b. Grounding. 3. Understand the construction of your generator, does it have a center tapped transformer or not? Is the center tap grounded to the frame? Is the neutral bonded to the ground? 4.Floating neutral systems are not bonded to the frame. 5. Ground to Earth is the lightning arrestor system. Having said that, your little silent Honda will best serve you as a separate system that you don't have to ground to mother earth. Just pug in your appliance and go. Further research shows up more when you read the OSSHA regulations regarding generators used on construction sites. If your RV is not plugged into shore power, then it is covered by this directive. Basically :
1.do not plug your RV into shore power and your generator at the same time.
2. Understand the reason for a. Bonding and b. Grounding.
3. Understand the construction of your generator, does it have a center tapped transformer or not? Is the center tap grounded to the frame? Is the neutral bonded to the ground?
4.Floating neutral systems are not bonded to the frame.
5. Ground to Earth is the lightning arrestor system.
Having said that, your little silent Honda will best serve you as a separate system that you don’t have to ground to mother earth. Just pug in your appliance and go.

]]> By: Rob http://blog.rv.net/2009/11/bonding-and-grounding-portable-generators/comment-page-1/#comment-105232 Rob Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:06:57 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=12931#comment-105232 Just a thought. What's the point of bonding, if the generator isn't grounded to mother earth? Just a thought. What’s the point of bonding, if the generator isn’t grounded to mother earth?

]]> By: Erich Riesenberg http://blog.rv.net/2009/11/bonding-and-grounding-portable-generators/comment-page-1/#comment-87876 Erich Riesenberg Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:23:01 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=12931#comment-87876 Hello - Just came across your posts on generators. I am trying hard to figure out if mine is grounded. Have you written that post? Thank you. Hello – Just came across your posts on generators. I am trying hard to figure out if mine is grounded. Have you written that post? Thank you.

]]> By: larrycad http://blog.rv.net/2009/11/bonding-and-grounding-portable-generators/comment-page-1/#comment-86959 larrycad Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:28:03 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=12931#comment-86959 Kurt, you are correct. I was lazy when I described the hole because I felt my description was accurate enough to discern between the "sorta round hole" versus the slots! Certainly didn't mean to create confusion. :) Larry Kurt, you are correct. I was lazy when I described the hole because I felt my description was accurate enough to discern between the “sorta round hole” versus the slots! Certainly didn’t mean to create confusion. :)

Larry

]]> By: Kurt Hammerschmidt http://blog.rv.net/2009/11/bonding-and-grounding-portable-generators/comment-page-1/#comment-86955 Kurt Hammerschmidt Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:42:57 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=12931#comment-86955 You mention that the ground is the top round hole. I believe you meant the top with the bottom of the hole rounded and not the completely round hole on that receptacle. You mention that the ground is the top round hole. I believe you meant the top with the bottom of the hole rounded and not the completely round hole on that receptacle.

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