Grounding an generator

[JRS]

There is a ground lug on the front of my Onan portable generator Pro 6000E. The one time I didn't have the generator grounded, my technician told me that the ground helps the generator maintain the eveness of the frequency. Does this sound accurate? It does say on the generator that the neutral is bonded to the frame...

 

[The patriot]

I have limited experience with generators, but that sounds like it makes sence.

 

[JimB1]

Grounded to what?



Grounding is a context sensitive word. Can mean various things.



In general a AC generator puts out AC Power to run whatever your needs are.



Same generator also puts out lots of radio-frequency AC Noise, which are low power insignifigant signals until they reach someones antenna and show up as speaker static or snowy TV picture.



Solution is earth grounding the generator frame which pretty much drains the noise to earth ground.



Another use of word "grounding" is to "bond" generator frame and neutral with frame of RV and RV's electrical system.



That makes a level playing field/common electrical reference point for all signals whether they be power or data.

 

[JRS]

Grounding to earth. (copper rod)

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

yes absolutely positively

 

[JRS]

Thanks for the responses.

 

[EZeis]

Using the frame ground on the genset won't change your HZ at all. HZ comes directly from engine speed. If you have a weak engine or a cheap crappy governor on the engine, your HZ won't stay stable. If you're looking to maintain really stable HZ, you will want to upgrade to a more expensive unit that has an electronic governor.



The genset frame ground on portable gensets is only to ground the genset frame to earth ground for added protection against shocks if the generator happens to short to ground. If you wish to hammer a 8' ground rod into the earth for the added safety, go for it. Wish you lots of luck getting it back out of the ground if it's not a permeant site.



As far as induced electrical noise, I've never had those issues with any of my unearth grounded portable gensets. Earth grounding your genset may solve this issue, but will never do anything for your HZ. This would probably be an issue on cheap gensets.



If you're having a lot of trouble with your HZ, your governor may need adjusted for droop/sensitivity, and or engine speed. A good no-load HZ is 61. 8HZ than load the genset and it should ride about 60HZ. If not you can fine tune from there. Never adjust your governor with any loads on the genset or you may fry something. Never adjust your governor by RPM, always use a meter on the HZ setting!!



2-pole genset=3600 RPM=60HZ

4-pole genset=1800 RPM=60HZ



Earl

 

[CKelley1]

the idea of grounding the generator to earth is for safety reasons more than anything it establishes the frame and earth to the same voltage i do not worry about it it is more of a liability issue than it is practical