generators feeding homes. Bonding and grounding

[fastline]

I seem to always get questions on this stuff but rarely have to go deal with it because it's always DIY super troopers. I am curious what you guys are doing or recommending on bonds and grounds. As it stands, personally I don't really agree with code, or at least the way I read it. Primarily because many of these DIYers are connecting portable generators. Then going about breaking the bond on them as code tells them to. I simply cannot agree with that due to most of these generators having a steel frame, which exposes a potential hazard IMO.

I am open to having my mind changed, but otherwise I'd like to improve my resolve on a position. I find that most inverters are not bonded, but induction are. There are a lot of variables such as cord set. I've mostly looked at generators as another utility, in which they don't even have a grounding conductor on a service, yet people seem to be running that grounder on generators.

 

[suemarkp]

Bonded -vs- unbonded determines the type of transfer switch used. In either case, the generator chassis gets bonded. In the unbonded generator case, the bonding in the main distribution panel does the generator bond because you use a transfer switch that doesn't break the neutral. In the bonded generator case, you do the bonding in the generator and have a transfer that switches the neutral so there is no double bonding when the generator is connected but the house is running on utility power.

Most people choose 2 pole transfer switches that use a solid neutral because there are many more of them and they are cheaper. This requires a generator that is not bonded.

Using an unbonded generator, just stand alone outside with extension cords isn't much of a hazard. If an item faults, you don't get shocked when standing on the earth because the generator isn't bonded and grounded. Using GFCI outlets on the generator provides a mechanism to safeguard against shock if there happens to be enough capacitive or other coupling to the earth to shock you on a fault or some other double fault that shocks you.

 

[retirede]

Breaking the N-G bond on the genny does not create a meaningful hazard as long as the EGC from it to the N-G bond at the service is intact.