A few other recent threads about household generator panels vs interlocking breakers made me think about some household generator hookups. Mainly - what’s the worst case scenario that happens if a homeowner uses a bonded generator and doesn’t switch the neutral?
If the genny was also bonded, you’d have some current on the EGC between generator panel (let’s say they have one) and the generator. But I’m thinking that’d be about the only negative consequence, and how bad is that really? Assuming generator outlet is not gfci protected, it doesn’t jump out at me like a huge issue. It would typically only be for a short amount of time since the generator is only there for emergencies.
I have to think the average homeowner that goes out and buys a generator, doesn’t give a thought about lifting a bond at the generator if they aren’t switching the neutral, and maybe the ones that do think about it, are aware of potential warranty issues if they were to float it the generator. So there have to be countless home generator installs out there with the generator still bonded and no switching of the neutral, and it’s not that big of a deal. So am I right?
If the genny was also bonded, you’d have some current on the EGC between generator panel (let’s say they have one) and the generator. But I’m thinking that’d be about the only negative consequence, and how bad is that really? Assuming generator outlet is not gfci protected, it doesn’t jump out at me like a huge issue. It would typically only be for a short amount of time since the generator is only there for emergencies.
I have to think the average homeowner that goes out and buys a generator, doesn’t give a thought about lifting a bond at the generator if they aren’t switching the neutral, and maybe the ones that do think about it, are aware of potential warranty issues if they were to float it the generator. So there have to be countless home generator installs out there with the generator still bonded and no switching of the neutral, and it’s not that big of a deal. So am I right?
