3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
professor95 wrote: EDIT ADDED 45/5/2013- When this thread started in March of 2005, I never expected to see it survive this long or amass the quantity of information that has been shared here. In...
Forum Discussion
Hi Guys:
Sorry for the repost, I apparently started a new thread by accident, so I'll try again...
I have been lurking here for 6 months or so and and as a result of the great info provided on this forum, I bought the Champion C46540 for about $274 OTD from a local Kragen. I have tested the unit and it seems to work fine. While reading the owner's manual (shocking isn't it?) I noticed the grounding recommendation on page 5.
They state:
"Grounding the generator provides extra safety.
The National Electric Code requires that this product be properly connected to an appropriate ground to help prevent electric shock.
Failure to properly ground the generator can result in electric shock. A ground terminal connected to the frame of the generator has been provided on the front panel for this purpose. For remote grounding, connect a length of heavy gauge (12AWG min.) copper wire between the generator ground terminal and a copper rod driven into the ground. This should provide a suitable ground connection. CPE recommends that you consult with a local electrician to insure that local codes are being adhered to."
I have read in previous posts that the Canadian version of the Champion and a Home Depot version of it, are shipped with the neutral bonded to the frame. I realize there are different codes in Canada, but the electrical grid is the same (120V AC-60 Hz). Why the difference?
My question is:
What is the consensus about grounding and or neutral bonding using this unit in these 3 common uses of a generator?
Use 1- Powering an RV (31 foot travel trailer in my case) while dry camping. I could see 2 scenarios here, one with the genset sitting on the ground, the other with the genset mounted to a bumper frame extension and thus the gen frame could be connected to the trailer frame by some bolts.
Use 2- At home, powering key household appliances during a power outage (via long extension cord(s), no connection to the house electrical system).
Use 3- Using the generator with tools while out in the field away from the electrical grid, probably in the back of a pickup or on the ground.
Could someone (Professor?) please summarize the grounding/bonding "best practices" to avoid shocking users? It would be nice to have this in 1 post, instead of spread out amongst many.
Thank you in advance, from tHE nEWBIE!!
Bob
Sorry for the repost, I apparently started a new thread by accident, so I'll try again...
I have been lurking here for 6 months or so and and as a result of the great info provided on this forum, I bought the Champion C46540 for about $274 OTD from a local Kragen. I have tested the unit and it seems to work fine. While reading the owner's manual (shocking isn't it?) I noticed the grounding recommendation on page 5.
They state:
"Grounding the generator provides extra safety.
The National Electric Code requires that this product be properly connected to an appropriate ground to help prevent electric shock.
Failure to properly ground the generator can result in electric shock. A ground terminal connected to the frame of the generator has been provided on the front panel for this purpose. For remote grounding, connect a length of heavy gauge (12AWG min.) copper wire between the generator ground terminal and a copper rod driven into the ground. This should provide a suitable ground connection. CPE recommends that you consult with a local electrician to insure that local codes are being adhered to."
I have read in previous posts that the Canadian version of the Champion and a Home Depot version of it, are shipped with the neutral bonded to the frame. I realize there are different codes in Canada, but the electrical grid is the same (120V AC-60 Hz). Why the difference?
My question is:
What is the consensus about grounding and or neutral bonding using this unit in these 3 common uses of a generator?
Use 1- Powering an RV (31 foot travel trailer in my case) while dry camping. I could see 2 scenarios here, one with the genset sitting on the ground, the other with the genset mounted to a bumper frame extension and thus the gen frame could be connected to the trailer frame by some bolts.
Use 2- At home, powering key household appliances during a power outage (via long extension cord(s), no connection to the house electrical system).
Use 3- Using the generator with tools while out in the field away from the electrical grid, probably in the back of a pickup or on the ground.
Could someone (Professor?) please summarize the grounding/bonding "best practices" to avoid shocking users? It would be nice to have this in 1 post, instead of spread out amongst many.
Thank you in advance, from tHE nEWBIE!!
Bob
