Forum Discussion

TheHound's avatar
TheHound
Explorer
Mar 24, 2019

Generator/ Reverse Polarity Question

Hey folks,

My knowledge on these matters is marginal at best so I am hoping someone here might have some suggestions regarding this issue I encountered today.

I went to test my shiny new Surge Guard 34930 with my 3200 watt inverter genny (using a Surge Guard bonding plug) but I am getting a reverse polarity message and it will not pass power through.

To check further, I bought a 30m to 15f adapter and then plugged in my tester. With the bonding plug inserted it came back with HOT/NEU REV based on the little legend thingy.

When I remove the bonding plug, I get just the middle light (open ground) which I understand is normal with inverter generators.

Very puzzled as all my research said the bonding plug corrects this issue and allows for the use of a SP. Any thoughts? :) Thanks!
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Mar 24, 2019
    Jumper wire should go from GROUND Terminal to NEUTRAL Terminal

    Sounds like jumper is on Hot to Neutral (defective plug/cross wired)??
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Mar 24, 2019
    I have an older Surge Guard that works fine (It has GFCI) with a floating neutral inverter gen. Why do you need or want the bonding plug? I know the PD's EMS one needs the bonding plug from what guys on here have said.
  • TheHound's avatar
    TheHound
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2019
    BFL13 wrote:
    I have an older Surge Guard that works fine (It has GFCI) with a floating neutral inverter gen. Why do you need or want the bonding plug? I know the PD's EMS one needs the bonding plug from what guys on here have said.


    Thanks for the reply. My goal is to be able to use my surge protector with the generator. As it is now, it will not pass power in either scenario (open ground with no plug or rev polarity with plug)
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Mar 25, 2019
    No offense but easier and less dollars to make your own.
    Standard male cord body. Install wire between silver terminal and the green terminal.
    Yes, it could be wired wrong. Look at genset, the larger slotted terminal is the neutral. Use a meter to test the cord body between these two terminals with it out of genset. There should be continuity.
  • TheHound's avatar
    TheHound
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2019
    enblethen wrote:
    No offense but easier and less dollars to make your own.
    Standard male cord body. Install wire between silver terminal and the green terminal.
    Yes, it could be wired wrong. Look at genset, the larger slotted terminal is the neutral. Use a meter to test the cord body between these two terminals with it out of genset. There should be continuity.


    I appreciate the reply. Figured if I bought one made by Surge Guard, I would be good to go as I don't have much experience with this. I guess I will try and open it up and see how it is wired.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Mar 25, 2019
    Be sure it is wired GROUND pin to NEUTRAL pin. Nothing should touch the HOT pin.

    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Jumper wire should go from GROUND Terminal to NEUTRAL Terminal

    Sounds like jumper is on Hot to Neutral (defective plug/cross wired)??

    Actually, to me it sounds like that bonding plug is wired GROUND to HOT. If it was wired HOT to NEUTRAL, it would blow the breaker on the generator.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2019
    I agree that it sounds like your bonding plug is wired wrong and bonding the hot to the frame. Test the bonding plug with an ohm meter rather than cutting it open. Then, if it's bad, you can return it.
  • TheHound's avatar
    TheHound
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2019
    Bobbo wrote:
    Be sure it is wired GROUND pin to NEUTRAL pin. Nothing should touch the HOT pin.

    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Jumper wire should go from GROUND Terminal to NEUTRAL Terminal

    Sounds like jumper is on Hot to Neutral (defective plug/cross wired)??

    Actually, to me it sounds like that bonding plug is wired GROUND to HOT. If it was wired HOT to NEUTRAL, it would blow the breaker on the generator.


    Interesting. Guess I should have made my own lol I appreciate the replay.

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