grounding generator

spanel
spanel Solar Expert Posts: 36 ✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Should I earth ground my generator seperatly from the house ground or run a ground wire from the genny to the house ground?

Thanks!

Chris

p.s. off grid install.
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: grounding generator

    You want only one Earth grounding point and one (if any) neutral-ground bond. Leave the gen ungrounded and be sure its neutral is "floating". Run all wires to the house and connect Earth ground point and neutral-ground bond there. If you're using an MSW inverter do not bond neutral to ground.

    (Succinct answer via sluggish satellite).
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #3
    Re: grounding generator

    Ah--grounding--more bytes have been killed trying to discussion grounding issues. :roll:

    What brand/model/type of inverter do you have? MSW inverter typically cannot ground bond the AC "Neutral" (will smoke the inverter). PSW typically can be grounded.

    Most people ground the battery negative bus to the earth ground rod.

    Regarding the generator, small gensets (typically 3.5 kW or less) have floating outputs. And larger genset typically have the AC Neutral bonded to the generator frame.

    So--depending on the hardware and how you have stuff connected (AC transfer switches, etc.)--what you need to do will differ.

    Off Grid Grounding Technique?
    Another Question, this time about Lightning

    Towards the end of this thread is a very nice discussion of proper generator grounding.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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