When testing my coach outlets with a plug in tester it indicates " open ground" on all circuits when I am powering with my portable generator. The GFI circuits do not break but show the same open ground. My tester plugged directly into the Honda generator also shows open ground. A different power source to my coach, all circuits test properly. Can anyone explain why I show open ground in coach and at generator and am I in any danger in coach using generator for power. Thanks to the knowledgeable in advance

The generator is not ground bonded to the transfer switch.

Lots of good discussions here on grounding generators...TO GROUND OR NOT TO GROUNDenjoyRoy Ken

Honda inverter gens have a "floating neutral" so that is normal for the three light tester to show open ground. Same thing with some inverters if you plug shore power into the inverter.Some RVs have an energy management gizmo that doesn't like that open ground from the portable gen, so guys with those have a 'work around' for that, but it is not an issue otherwise.

Thanks folks. After reading the link re grounding generators I see I have had the open ground issue with a generator for 9 years thru two fivers and have just now discovered it because of other electrical problems. So it's either not to worry or Im living on borrowed time when using my generator. The link seems to encourage either view. Thanks again

Without an EMS in the mix our Honda 3000i ran for years with the ground/neutral un-bonded.Then we added a Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C to the mix and it showed an error of "Open Ground" when on the Honda. A call to PI's Tech Support (Outstanding BTW) lead me to purchase a replacement male 15 amp extension cord plug which I wired to bond the Neutral to the Ground. The Generator is bonded to the trailer frame as well but they indicated that was not a requirement. Now the EMS is happy and I can monitor the incoming volts & current etc. so I am happy.I'll probably lift the generator to trailer frame bonding in the near future.

Open ground question | Good Sam Community

34 Replies

Jbird
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
Thanks folks. After reading the link re grounding generators I see I have had the open ground issue with a generator for 9 years thru two fivers and have just now discovered it because of other electrical problems. So it's either not to worry or Im living on borrowed time when using my generator. The link seems to encourage either view. Thanks again
BFL13
Explorer II
Jun 29, 2013
Honda inverter gens have a "floating neutral" so that is normal for the three light tester to show open ground. Same thing with some inverters if you plug shore power into the inverter.

Some RVs have an energy management gizmo that doesn't like that open ground from the portable gen, so guys with those have a 'work around' for that, but it is not an issue otherwise.
RoyB
Explorer II
Jun 29, 2013
Lots of good discussions here on grounding generators...

TO GROUND OR NOT TO GROUND

enjoy

Roy Ken
n7bsn
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
The generator is not ground bonded to the transfer switch.

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Open ground question

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