gfci protection on outlets of new portable generator

[Al Pike]

gfci on protection on new portable generator Honda EB inverted 5000I. I question how this generator could safely have gfci protection on the outlets providing power. WHen testing continuity, my results where that the grounding conductor and ground where bonded together to the motor housing and other metal surfaces. Is this a safety issue for my employees or am i missing something in electrical theory. I am unsure if the generator is a separately derived system in which case 250.30 would apply. If not, will a neutral to case bond cause objectionable current on the frame of the generator. Will the OCPD open and clear a case to ground fault removing touch voltage?

[ February 17, 2006, 06:52 AM: Message edited by: Al Pike ]

 

[iwire]

Re: gfci protection on outlets of new portable generator

What do you see as a hazard?

It sounds right to me.

[ February 16, 2006, 08:18 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]

 

[DaveTap]

Re: gfci protection on outlets of new portable generator

A GFCI operates by comparing the current flowing thru the hot and neutral wires and tripping if they differ. In other words the same amount of power should come back as went out, if not some is going somewhere else... like a person grounding the circuit. I would want extra protection especiallly if the receptacles are only grounded to the frame of the generator and in the case of a portable is typically used in a "wet" location... like after power goes out in a storm or hurricane and it could be raining for days. The only safety issue I see is you'd lose temporary lighting if it tripped... I'd much rather stand in the dark than get electrocuted.
Oh and yes I think any generator is a seperately derived source unless its at the POCO... (In which case it still might)

[ February 17, 2006, 07:33 AM: Message edited by: DaveTap ]

 

[suemarkp]

Re: gfci protection on outlets of new portable generator

Are you using this generator as a portable separate power source, or are you connecting it to a building?

If it is by itself, then no current will flow on the chassis, and the earth is not used as part of this power system. If you connect a device to this generator that uses the neutral wire as an equipment ground (like an electric range or dryer), then its possible the GFCI would trip if the frame of the appliance is in good contact with the earth. This would not be a tyipcal way of using a portable generator though, and you won't find that style of power receptacle on a generator. All of its receptacles will have separate neutral and grounding pins, and no device should touch those together unless it is faulted.

If you've connected this generator to a building, then you need to treat it as a separately derived system and switch the neutral. If that is not easy or possible, then you need to unbond the generator frame from the generator neutral when connecting it to the transfer switch, and use feeder with a separate grounding wire.

[ February 17, 2006, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: suemarkp ]