r/Generator•
Alcadera

Bonded versus Floating Neutral?

I watched a lot of YouTube videos in how to connect portable generator to home electrical system using a breaker in main box with interlock kit. NEC Code requirements in USA requires a bonded neutral in main breaker box to ground the electrical system. Many portable generators also have bonded neutrals so they can be used unattached. If you connect a bonded neutral portable generator to a power inlet attached to main breaker panel which is also bonded by code, you are creating a ungrounded situation (violates electrical code). You are supposed to remove the jumper creating a bonded neutral in the generator creating a floating neutral to connect to bonded neutral main panel. (BTW. This will invalidate your warranty.) By removing the bonded neutral in the generator, using the generator unattached to house system is no longer grounded. Are you kidding me? Who is going to constantly bond and unbond their generator depending on how you are using it?

Usually the generator will say on it whether it is bonded neutral ("neutral bonded to frame") or floating neutral. Apparently Honda generators are floating neutrals. Champions are bonded neutrals. A lot of Chinese-made generators do not even state.

Should we only buy floating neutral generators and then provide grounding when used stand alone? Other solutions?

Posted Nov 2, 2023, 1:23 AM UTC

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