When You DO and DO NOT Need to Ground Your Generator [Extension Cord Use & Backfeeding a Home]

This video covers the four primary scenarios that a homeowner will be using a portable generator. It details when a homeowner must use a ground rod, when they must bond their neutral, and when they must keep it floating.

VIDEO FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR LOCAL LICENSED ELECTRICIAN BEFORE DOING ANYTHING WITH YOUR GENERATOR OR HOME'S WIRING! VIDEO INTENDED TO CONVEY A CONCEPT FOR BEGINNERS (REGARDING BONDING/GROUNDING WITH A GENERATOR) AND NOT PROVIDE ACTIONABLE ADVICE. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HOW YOU DECIDE TO USE YOUR GENERATOR. ONCE AGAIN, CONSULT WITH YOUR LOCAL LICENSED ELECTRICIAN.

Sources:

00:00 Intro to Grounding and Bonding a Generator
00:52 Does Grounding a Generator with a Ground Rod Protect Me from Getting Shocked?
2:24 Bonding a Generator to Protect from Getting Shocked
3:42 Does my Generator Need to be Grounded?
4:36 Do I Need to Ground a Floating Neutral Generator with Extension Cords
6:35 Do I Need to Ground a Bonded Generator with Extension Cords?
9:29 Do I Need to Ground a Generator when Powering a House via a Transfer Switch?
13:21 Do I Need to Ground a Generator when using a Switched Neutral Transfer Switch?
16:10 Additional Resources and Visuals to Help you with Grounding a Generator and a Summary of the Ground Rod / Bonding Requirements

For the purposes of this video, when I say "ground" I'm generally referring to "earth ground" or using a "ground electrode", since that's the inquiry being addressed.

When powering devices with an extension cord, a generator does NOT need a ground rod. In fact, it may be harmful to you if you were to install one -- depending on how the generator is wired. It is, however, recommended to use a generator that is bonded (the neutral and ground are physically linked on the generator) to prevent shock or electrocution if the case of the device being used were to become energized due to a faulty wire.

When powering a house with a generator via a typical transfer switch that keeps the neutrals intact (the house, the circuit being used, and the generator all share the same neutral), the generator does NOT need a ground rod and it does NOT need to be bonded. The generator shares the bonded neutral and ground from the house and is NOT a separately derived system.

When powering a house with a generator via a switched neutral transfer switch (the switch detaches neutral from the rest of the house and links only the circuit's neutral to the generator's), then the generator DOES need a ground rod and DOES need to be bonded since it is now a separately derived system.

[esarge]

Here's my best ground rod story: I set up power for a small concert connected to mains with approx 250 feet of romex. I had a bunch of six foot stainless steel rods, so I drove a couple of them behind the stage and bonded to the ground. The musicians, being accustomed to always hearing a little hum, at first thought their amps were dead because they were so quiet!

[bradhatt]

I have no idea why I watched this other than its 1am and I can't sleep. Thanks for the info. 5 stars

[ddhddhddh]

Thank you. I now understand what I didn't fully understand before. I am a Industrial Electrician for 17 years. I've wired up new machinery, ran conduit, installed and programmed PLCs, and was one of our best troubleshooter. The way you explained bonded and floating neutrals just clicked in my head. The path to grounds and neutrals, bonded and unbonded, are what did it.
Thank you again.

[marks]

Finally! I've been waiting years for a clear explanation on this topic. You did an excellent job.

[tonysanchez]

I finally understand “bonding” within a system! Thank you for this. I have watched other videos and was only more confused. Seeing the “big picture” system graphics and demonstrations made everything is so clear now. Great work and teaching methodology.

[derrickjac]

THANK YOU for this video. I have a bonded generator and I thought adding the copper grounding rod was a necessary step for camping. I appreciate your video and how clear you were about everything. Subscribed.

[picobyte]

Using proper ground rod, in combination with ground fault breakers is my advice for all end users.
Those gfci's saved countless lives.

[ToyBoy]

5 f'in' electricians couldn't explain what you did in 4 mins. AND they all quoted me differently. THANK YOU!

[MandrewP]

It's refreshing to see someone cut it straight with the knowledge and understanding of electrical principles.

[KevinCoop]

This is an absolutely correct explanation of generator connections. Very well explained.
To be clear, the available fault current from small generators is no where near high enough to quickly trip a breaker magnetically from a fault. It will however, for a longer period of time trip from overcurrent. It is splitting hairs!

[BA-zykb]

In Canada the generators I could find were are all bonded neutral but my home transfer switch required an unbounded neutral generator. Champion sent me instructions to unbound the neutral on the generator I purchased but I never understood the ground requirement. Thanks for the great explanation you probably saved me from a shocking experience on a wet and windy evening.

[denrayr]

Great video. The diagrams are on point and make this complicated topic easier to understand. At around the 15 minute mark you talk about the reason for having the supplemental ground rod at the generator. Another reason for the supplemental ground rod is because Earth potential at the service ground rod and Earth potential at the generator site would not be the same. Without the generator ground rod he frame of the generator would be lifted to the potential of the service ground rod, and there could be a difference in potential between the frame of the generator and the earth at the generator site, meaning you could get a shock when touching the frame. By adding the supplemental ground rod at the generator, you ensure that the generator frame has the same potential as the earth that you're standing on.

[joeblow]

The best explanation of the bonded/floating neutral issue I’ve seen yet. Thank you!!!

[whiteknightcat]

Some well grounded advice ... as a homeowner you do not need to be bonded. It's your electrician who should be licensed and bonded.

[JericJones]

Thank you for your clear demonstrations and concise explanations.
Subscribed

[NinjasOfOrca]

I wish my generator manual was more explcit about this. It does state that it's a floating neutral and advises to consult an electrician regarding a ground rod, but it doesn't mention the importance of consulting an electrician regarding the neutral bond.

That MIGHT make sense in the case of a stand-alone generator that is intended to be used for powering something connected to the grid, but for a PORTABLE generator, it would seem that the manufacturer should know that folks are going to use it for RVs and to power worksites, and should issue a similar advisory regarding its floating neutral status.

[Lee-xsdj]

One of the best videos I've seen on this subject

[carolyncarpenter]

An earth ground rod is for lightning protection under 600v. Above 600v it can serve as an equipment ground also; at least, this is what I've been taught all me life.
Ed c

[bradw.]

USE A GROUNDING SOURCE ON ALL GENERATORS!!! One thing this guy did not mention in his video was Inductive Voltage (Stray Voltage) that comes from Motors. If your using a Floating Neutral Generator were the Motor is grounded back to the Generator but the Generator itself is not bonded to Earth Ground, there is the possibility of the Inductive Voltage accumulating in the Frame of the Generator even-though the Generator is NOT Grounded to the Frame (because it will act as a Capacitor), and if that Voltage builds up high enough and someone touches the frame of the Generator especially with a can of Gasoline in their hand, well all it takes is a spark to end bad. If the Generator doesn't have a Ground screw, add one to it, or Permanently add a wire to it with a clamp on the end so it's there to remind you to Ground it to something (Outside AC Condensing unit, a Light Pole, etc).

[ruthmeier]

One thing to advise is that the generator breakers and generator receptacles he is referencing are GFCI breakers or GFCI receptacles. They the GFCI breakers and receptacles, use the Hot and Neutral for monitoring the circuit. A normal AC breaker in your house does not use the neutral for its monitoring. It senses current in the circuit only.