Generator grounding

[MLee]

Maybe this has been touched on in the past, but can not find anything doing a search.

Having a generator in the bed of a truck, you need to ground the frame of the gen. to a ground, a metal plate under the trailer leg would make a good place for a decent ground.

Now do you need to ground the frame of the trailer? to the same plate with an other wire to the frame of the rig? this would complete the grounding system. to be on the safe side. or just the leg setting there would it be enough? hope this is clear to understand.

 

[MGordon]

If this is a portable generator, there is no need to ground the generator and no need to bond the trailer to the generator.

 

[Glen]

The ground pin in the power connector ties the generator ground to the trailer ground. I think that my leveling jacks provide enough ground contact to ground the trailer.

 

[y-knot]

If the trailer is wired correctly, when you plug the generator, the ground connection will take place. Most larger trailers will have a panel that contains a few circuit breakers, in that there is a grounding terminal which is also bonded to the frame.

 

[rfcom]

While I agree that it is not necessary to ground the generator when connected to an RV, the manual for my Yamaha EF2800i recommends using a ground rod and has a connector on the frame for attaching to it. I suspect this is required when using the generator as a backup to your house power when the main power goes out. In that case, you definitely want the generator frame grounded. When you plug your RV into a commercial power source, the ground is provided through the panel ground wire.



Jim

 

[MLee]

Thanks to all responders. Its great to have this kind of back up and knowledge at a fingers tip. This what is needed, just the ground to the ROD from the generac.



Marv.