Generator Grounding

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The generators that we connect normally use the power company neutral. In the recent hurricane, the power company lines in many areas were destroyed. When the generator runs in this situation, the generator neutrals and grounds are separated at the generator. Does the generator become a separately derived system and do the neutral and ground need to be tied together?
 

Dennis Alwon

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Chapel Hill, NC
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If the generator is using the neutral from the power company then it is NOT a separately derived system. Only when the neutral is derived from the generator is it a separately derived system.

BTW, welcome to the forum
 

ActionDave

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Durango, CO, 10 h 20 min from the winged horses.
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The generators that we connect normally use the power company neutral. In the recent hurricane, the power company lines in many areas were destroyed. When the generator runs in this situation, the generator neutrals and grounds are separated at the generator. Does the generator become a separately derived system and do the neutral and ground need to be tied together?

No. You are using the generator and building wiring when you are on generator power. Just because the poco neutral is down right now you still are your using the service point or service disconnect as the spot to bond the neutral to the earth and to establish a fault clearing path same as always.
 
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