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Hi;
Portable generator instructions are to connect ground terminal on generator to ground rod outside house.
Does this apply if the generator is not connected to any of the permanent house wiring; using extension cords (#12 3-wire outdoor cord)?
I cannot see how grounding the generator will reduce my chances of being electrocuted. As a matter of fact, I would think it would improve my chances of being electrocuted, since now I have a ground reference, and if I should be standing on the ground outside and come in contact with a hot wire, there would be a circuit between hot and neutral through me!
If the generator is not grounded, then that path is less direct. Yes; if the generator is sitting on the ground, and the chassis is bonded to neutral, then there will still be a path through me, but a higher resistance than if the generator is connected directly to earth via grounding rod.
FW
Portable generator instructions are to connect ground terminal on generator to ground rod outside house.
Does this apply if the generator is not connected to any of the permanent house wiring; using extension cords (#12 3-wire outdoor cord)?
I cannot see how grounding the generator will reduce my chances of being electrocuted. As a matter of fact, I would think it would improve my chances of being electrocuted, since now I have a ground reference, and if I should be standing on the ground outside and come in contact with a hot wire, there would be a circuit between hot and neutral through me!
If the generator is not grounded, then that path is less direct. Yes; if the generator is sitting on the ground, and the chassis is bonded to neutral, then there will still be a path through me, but a higher resistance than if the generator is connected directly to earth via grounding rod.
FW