Grounding a portable generator

[Cubey]

I plan to occasionally use a portable generator (about 3500w or so in case it matters) when boondocking (camping off the grid) with my travel trailer. Typically proper ground rods are 8ft however, trying to install an 8ft ground rod for temporary use of perhaps only a few days would be highly inconvenient and then I would also have to attempt to pull it up when I'm finished which might be impossible. Plus I would have to store the 8ft metal rod someplace when traveling. Most inconvenient that would be on so many levels (driving it in, removing it, storing it).

I have found mentions online about using two 4ft rods connected together and spaced 5 feet apart from each other for antenna grounding is almost as good as a single 8ft rod. Two 4ft rods would be much easier to drive into the ground and remove than a single 8ft rod would be, as well as store when not in use.

So my question is: Would two 4ft rods linked together with 12 gauge wire and spaced 5ft apart be adequate grounding for a portable generator?

[480sparky]

Save your strength.

250.34 Portable and Vehicle-Mounted Generators.
(A) Portable Generators. The frame of a portable generator shall not be required to be connected to a grounding electrode as defined in 250.52 for a system supplied by the generator under the following conditions:
(1) The generator supplies only equipment mounted on the generator, cord-and-plug-connected equipment through receptacles mounted on the generator, or both, and
(2) The non–current-carrying metal parts of equipment and the equipment grounding conductor terminals of the receptacles are bonded to the generator frame.
(B) Vehicle-Mounted Generators. The frame of a vehicle shall not be required to be connected to a grounding electrode as defined in 250.52 for a system supplied by a generator located on this vehicle under the following conditions:
(1) The frame of the generator is bonded to the vehicle frame, and
(2) The generator supplies only equipment located on the vehicle or cord-and-plug-connected equipment through receptacles mounted on the vehicle, or both equipment located on the vehicle and cord-and-plug-connected equipment through receptacles mounted on the vehicle or on the generator, and
(3) The non–current-carrying metal parts of equipment and the equipment grounding conductor terminals of the receptacles are bonded to the generator frame.

[BrianJohn]

To simplify 480's post not required, not necessary and would gain you nothing.

[Cubey]

As I understand it, most generators have neutral and ground bonded to the frame of the generator and therefore must be grounded.

The generalized manual for all Coleman generators says this:

BEFORE OPERATION - GROUNDING THE GENERATOR
The National Electric Code requires that this product be
properly connected to an appropriate earth ground to help prevent
electric shock. A ground terminal connected to the frame of the
generator has been provided for this purpose. Connecting a length of
heavy gauge (12 AWG min.) copper wire between the generator
Ground Terminal and a copper rod driven into the ground should
provide a suitable ground connection. However, consult with a local
electrician to insure that local codes are being adhered to.

--
Source: http://www.colemanpowermate.com/gene...ors_manual.pdf

Someone I talk to online who states that he is certified to do RV repairs (so that means he knows a lot I guess) or some such says that he witnessed someone using an ungrounded generator in a campground when a I little girl selling donuts came up and knocked on the guy's door and was electrocuted because the generator wasn't grounded and caused the trailer's ground (chassis) to become hot and somehow prevented the GFI on the generator to kick off because of a lack of proper ground.

The following is from: http://www.jackssmallengines.com/generator-safety.cfm

How about grounding?
Don't worry you say? Oh, you bought an expensive generator that is equipped with a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter). Well did you know that a GFI might not function at all if the generator is not properly grounded? Recently we had a customer bring in a new generator for service. He should have bought a lotto ticket that day. His generator had an internal short circuit that made the handles on the unit electrically charged (hot as we say). Had he touch the wrong two things, at the same time, it could have killed him.

Do not use that generator until its been safely ground.
Grounding is simple, refer to that owners manual. It would most often tell you to attach a #8 copper wire to: a metal water pipe that travels at least 10 feet into the ground, hook to a building ground, or drive a metal rod 8 feet into the earth, etc. Make sure you use a rod that is permitted for grounding. There are minimum sizes and material that will give you the proper grounding.

However according to this page.. http://www.imsasafety.org/journal/marapr/ma5.htm

Portable generators are often used for backup power at traffic signals, buildings, structures and special events. Ground rods (grounding electrodes) are only required if the generator is a separately derived system. (For the complete text of sections cited please see the 2002 NEC)

The key to knowing if a generator is a Separately Derived System is not the generator, but rather the transfer switch. If the transfer switch does not transfer the neutral (grounded conductor), then the generator has a “solidly connected” grounded circuit conductor and the generator is not a separately derived system. [See Fig 2]

If you refer to Fig 1 vs 2 on the page, you will see that 1 has ground/neutral connected to each other (usual practice on portable generators) where as 2 shows them separated. According to that page, a portable generator with bonded neutral/ground to the frame is NOT a "separately derived system" and therefore: "Ground rods (grounding electrodes) are only required if the generator is a separately derived system." which means it doesn't need it.

So why does Coleman and folks who appear to know something about generator safety claim such generators do? I guess to play it safe I could at least use a SINGLE 4ft ground rod. Some grounding would be better than none I suppose?

[480sparky]

So why does Coleman and folks who appear to know something about generator safety claim such generators do? I guess to play it safe I could at least use a SINGLE 4ft ground rod. Some grounding would be better than none I suppose?

Why do they say to do it? Simply put, to reduce lawsuits.

The two examples you show here do not show there was a shock hazard because the generator not being attached to a ground electrode. There was a problem with the generators themselves. Possibly defective GFIs, wiring of the generator or camper, or other faults in the units themselves. The fact that someone using "an ungrounded generator" caused a shock to someone is merely anecdotal. Without any definite facts, it's difficult to comment. Does it mean there was no ground rod driven, or does it mean the generator's internal ground was not present?
How many campsites provide you with metal pipe that has 10 feet in direct contact with the ground, for the express purpose of grounding a generator? Do you ever see folks jumping out of their Holiday Rambler for the night, start a fire, set up the awning, and drive an 8' ground rod? And even if you do drive a ground rod, is it an acceptable ground to prevent shock? In the 2005 NEC, Article 250.4(A)(5) states, in part, "The earth shall not be considered as an effective ground-fault current path.".
So even if you ground the generator, by Code, an electrode in the ground may not provide the protection you seek.

If you feel so inclined, go ahead a drive a rod. But IMPO, it's unecessary. Youre time would be better spent checking and maintaining the generator.

[Cubey]

Why do they say to do it? Simply put, to reduce lawsuits.

That was my first thought about the notice to ground but the more I read and was told, the less I believed it.

Do you ever see folks jumping out of their Holiday Rambler for the night, start a fire, set up the awning, and drive an 8' ground rod?

*LOL* I couldn't help but laugh at that.

But in all seriousness, generators which are built into RVs may be a completely different animal from portable generators since they are built for a permanent installation where there is always the same condition for grounding though I guess the same could be said for a portable generator.

If you feel so inclined, go ahead a drive a rod. But IMPO, it's unecessary. Youre time would be better spent checking and maintaining the generator.

It seems to be a about a 50/50 divided issue. Some people who use portable generators for RVing insist it is required for safety and have witnessed deaths from people not grounding when the manual tells you to, while others say they have been using generators for a long time and have ever had a problem.

Is using a plug-in outlet tester a good way to quickly check proper electrical operation of a generator?

The single outlet in my trailer was wired backwards (or some such issue) according to my plug-in tester. I unplugged the trailer, reversed the connections, plugged the trailer back in and plugged the tester back in and now it shows "Correct". Unsure about the light fixtures but I guess they may be less important than outlets. I added in some extra outlets and they all test out fine as well as the outlet I'm plugging the trailer into. So basically the wiring in the trailer for outlets should be correct now. Perhaps other RVs are wired incorrectly as well which could cause a problem when used with a generator.