Sine Wave Inverter Anomaly
After following this recent discussion about how to best utilize a sine wave inverter for RV use I decided to go ahead and buy the 1000 watt model mentioned in this discussion since it was on sale for...
Forum Discussion
There is little advantage to bonding a portable generator if there is no low impedance earth ground (i.e. an 8' 5/8" driven ground rod (or as required by my utility, 2 of them)). In fact, there are disadvantages as the referred article points out.
The main reason for bonding the output of most inverter generators is so that your EMS will allow the trailer to connect.
The reason most RV mounted generators (and some inverters) bond is to meet the requirements of NEC 250.34B & C.
Even some NEC approved systems do not bond the neutral. Sound Guy may have run into some of them, although they are more often used for computer rooms and health care facilities. Called "balanced power" - 2 hot legs, no neutral & a ground, 60V between either hot & ground, 120V between the two hots. NEC article 647 describes some rules for these systems. They are designed to prevent ground loops in sensitive equipment.
As to definitive answers, some generators have a switch to bond/unbond the ground/neutral because even OSHA inspectors are confused by the grounding & bonding requirements. Since only one bonding point between the neutral & ground is allowed by the NEC (for good reasons) the switch can be used to correctly use the generator on its own or tied to an already bonded system.
The main reason for bonding the output of most inverter generators is so that your EMS will allow the trailer to connect.
The reason most RV mounted generators (and some inverters) bond is to meet the requirements of NEC 250.34B & C.
Even some NEC approved systems do not bond the neutral. Sound Guy may have run into some of them, although they are more often used for computer rooms and health care facilities. Called "balanced power" - 2 hot legs, no neutral & a ground, 60V between either hot & ground, 120V between the two hots. NEC article 647 describes some rules for these systems. They are designed to prevent ground loops in sensitive equipment.
As to definitive answers, some generators have a switch to bond/unbond the ground/neutral because even OSHA inspectors are confused by the grounding & bonding requirements. Since only one bonding point between the neutral & ground is allowed by the NEC (for good reasons) the switch can be used to correctly use the generator on its own or tied to an already bonded system.
