solarsteve24
Member
- Location
- United States
Hello all. This site has been a great help to me but finally I've found an issue that hasn't been addressed yet (at least, not that i could find). As the subject suggests, I have a 3.6kw off-grid PV system with a 48v battery bank that I'd like to add a backup generator to, via a manual transfer switch, for the occasional long rainy weeks. The two systems are currently standalone. The generator is used only when the welder is required and it does share my PV grounding electrodes (there are 4, 10' long, 10' apart). With two independent systems, naturally I have two ground bonds (one for each system) but with the addition of the manual transfer switch, this will need to be changed to one ground bond. In a typical 'Service with Generator Backup' system, the ground bond would be made at the single panelboard. But in my situation, I will have two panelboards (one for the building and one for the generator to provide emergency power to the building with circuits for the welder). In this situation, I believe that the neutral to ground bond should be made at the manual transfer switch, as shown in the attached diagram, as i will not have a separately derived system from the generator. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all.