Generator voltage question
I have a polaris 2800 Generator we have been using for about 10 years on our old TT. With the new 5th wheel I wanted to be careful hooking it up and trying things. I ran into a weird issue when I che...
Forum Discussion
Open ground is common on portable generators. Code does not require bonding.
If you understand the reason for the safety ground, you will understand why,, You may choose to stop reading here.
On the "Mains" power (Power mains) neutral is bonded to ground, in fact at one time due to wire shortages they used the GROUND as neutral.. Some places are still wired that way.
THUS if there is a hot-to case short on the tool you are holding YOU become the path to ground and thus neutral (the "Return" path though that really is bad use of the word) and .. Well. for most folks,, been nice knowing you (I'm strange.. I throw when shocked, or at least I used to Good thing too).
THus the safety ground which is hooked to case., IT takes the shock for you, trips the breaker/blows the fuse and protects you.
But with the portable generator THERE IS NO GROUND, period.. The ground is NOT a return path, and thus there is no danger. You are protected.
If you understand the reason for the safety ground, you will understand why,, You may choose to stop reading here.
On the "Mains" power (Power mains) neutral is bonded to ground, in fact at one time due to wire shortages they used the GROUND as neutral.. Some places are still wired that way.
THUS if there is a hot-to case short on the tool you are holding YOU become the path to ground and thus neutral (the "Return" path though that really is bad use of the word) and .. Well. for most folks,, been nice knowing you (I'm strange.. I throw when shocked, or at least I used to Good thing too).
THus the safety ground which is hooked to case., IT takes the shock for you, trips the breaker/blows the fuse and protects you.
But with the portable generator THERE IS NO GROUND, period.. The ground is NOT a return path, and thus there is no danger. You are protected.
