- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Portable Generators and Ground Rods
I think nothing will happen, unless you accidentally cut your hand on a sharp edge of the frame. Your description of the ?accident? did not include a fault between an ungrounded conductor and the grounded conductor, or between an ungrounded conductor and any grounded external metal components. Therefore, no current will flow into planet Earth, and none will flow through the human who touches the frame.Originally posted by hickman:An accident severs the grounded conductor of the service entrance conductors leaving the ungrounded conductors intact. You in your haste never installed a ground rod to the frame. You go over to the genset and grab the frame of the generator. What do you think will happen?
I think it?s safe to say that no member of this forum is in favor of electrocuting our clients. As for me (and I think I?m not alone here), I believe in (1) Following the code, (2) Following the manufacturer?s recommendations, (3) Following ?good engineering practice,? and (4) ?Throwing a flag on the play,? if ever items (1) through (3) were to conflict (i.e., stop the job, notify the key personnel, and proceed no further until the issue is resolved).As for myself I do not care to be the path of any electrical current, Nor will I allow my clients. So I drive the ground rods.... I believe in grounding. even if it is poor at times it is better than nothing. And I would hope that you would feel the same.