Portable generators are convenient to use around the house and at job sites. However, they produce high voltage electricity and if not managed right, they can be dangerous.
Grounding a generator is important but many people aren’t sure how to ground a generator. Read on to find out about the importance of grounding a generator and how you can do it quickly and easily.
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Why Grounding A Generator Important
Grounding is important because energy loves to travel. It is always flowing and you need it to flow only where it is supposed to. The wires are set up for the energy to flow through the “live” wires to the neutral wires.
If this flow gets interrupted, electricity will look for a path of least resistance to flow through. When there isn’t a ground for the electricity it will often do damage by sparking a fire or causing electrocution.
Grounding is set up as a path for the electricity to flow to if something happens and cancels its regular route. It is a safer path for the electricity to flow so it doesn’t cause damage.
Does A Generator Need To Be Grounded?
Yes, your generator should be grounded! However, depending on your specific generator, you may not need to do anything special.
Built-In Grounds
Most portable generators are manufactured with a metal frame. This provides a built-in ground for them. The generator frame is connected to every metal part of the generator, such as the engine and fuel tank, so electricity has a place to go if an interruption happens.
Does My Generator Need To Be Grounded?
The best way to know if your portable generator has a built-in ground is to check the owner’s manual. This should tell you exactly how to ground a portable generator. If you don’t have a manual, look on your generator for a grounding post.
If it contains a ground post, most likely you will need to connect it to a separate grounding rod. This is especially true if when connecting portable generators to a house or other building, and not plugging directly into power receptacles mounted on the generator.
How To Properly Ground A Generator
You ground your portable generator by connecting it to a grounding rod with copper grounding wire. This is a simple process that can be done with tools you probably already have on hand.
What Do You Ground A Generator To?
Generators are grounded by connecting them to a copper grounding rod. Copper grounding rods are made to carry the electric current into the ground where it doesn’t hurt anyone or anything.
Typically, a ground rod for grounding generators will be at least four feet long. You want at least a four-foot copper grounding rod. You’ll need to use a longer one if you’re driving the rod in at an angle. Home units use eight-foot rods.
The longer rods make sure that the electricity goes into the ground and doesn’t hurt anyone who may be standing around. You will need to drive the rod into the ground with a hammer or mallet to make sure it goes in deep. This way any electrical discharge carried through the grounding wire to the copper rod will be safely dispersed well below the surface.
How Do I Connect The Grounding Rod?
You will connect the copper ground rod to the generator through a copper grounding wire. This copper wire is stripped and wrapped around a grounding bolt. Your generator should have a grounding bolt set up to make this easier.
On the generator, loosen the bolt to prepare it for the copper wire. Strip about two inches of insulation off the wire and wrap it tightly around the bolt. Once it is tight you can tighten the screw back down.
You will want to make sure to have plenty of copper wire to run to your grounding rod. It doesn’t have to be set up close to your generator or your house. Also, remember that all of this should be done with the generator off!
For the grounding rod, you want to strip about twelve inches of the wire and then wrap it around the rod. You want the connection to be tight with no loose wires. You will need wire strippers and pliers to do this properly.
How Do You Ground A Portable Generator Wired To Your House?
The safest way to use a generator for providing electric power your house is to do it through a transfer switch wired directly to your house. This protects your home and gives you the ability to power more appliances. A transfer switch should preferably be installed by a professional electrician; if you don’t understand terms like “separately derived system”, “neutral ground conductor”, and “bonding”, don’t even think about doing it yourself.
Is Grounding A Generator Safer?
A transfer switch can be for your whole house or just part of your house depending on how it is wired. The switch closes the circuit to outside power and only receives power from your generator
Keeping the power within the circuit of your house can make sure that your necessary appliances and pumps stay powered. You will need to make sure the transfer switch is set up for your generator’s power capacity.
Why Not Just Use Extension Cords?
Extension cords can cause a back feed which is when power from your generator flows back into the main grid. This can energize transmission lines and hurt the power company men who are working on them.
But this is only a concern if you are using an extension cord to hook your generator up to your house’s wiring. If you’re just going to plug electrical appliances directly into the extension cord running from the portable generator, there’s no problem.
Do I Need A Transfer Switch?
Yes, you need a transfer switch if you plan on using the generator to provide power to your house’s service panel.
Transfer switches can either be manual or automatic. For manual, you go and connect the switch before turning your generator on. Automatic ones will automatically switch on when the power goes out.
For an automatic switch, you will need a generator that automatically comes on when the power goes off. Again, you will want to have a professional electrician install your switch if you do not have one in your house.
Power Safety And Convenience
The process of grounding a portable generator is pretty straightforward and easy if you follow it step by step. This will give you the convenience of power when you need it, but it will also keep you, your loved ones, or coworkers safe.
And, to keep your equipment safe, don’t forget to do regular generator maintenance.
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