Source
r/electricians•
kitp2011

Possibly going to use my portable generator for the first time...have questions!

In anticipation of Hurricane Florence stealing my electricity, I'm probably going to have to un-box my generator and use it for the first time... First a short description of my generator: It's a gas powered generator with 4000 Starting watts and 3400 Running watts. I'll [probably] only be using the two 120 Volt AC, 20 Amp receptacles on the generator but it also has a 120 Volt AC, 30 Amp twist-lock receptacle. It does have a grounding terminal on the power panel.

Questions:

Do I need to ground the generator to power my fridge?

How much stuff can a 3400 watt generator handle at one time? I know it won't handle a lot...I'm mainly interested in my refrigerator, maybe a coffee maker and maybe a window air conditioner.

So I'm mainly curious about grounding and load.

Thanks for any help!

Posted Sep 9, 2018, 2:29 PM UTC

511
AR15__Fan•

I will add this as well, You should unbox the generator now. Assemble it and do a test run now, before you lose power. A typical 110 Volt window A/C using can use up to 1500 watts. Fridges usually can use up to 200-300 watts. Also, consider the more wattage your generator has to provide; the harder the engine has to work, thus using more fuel.

3
Electron82•

Also DO NOT plug your generator into a wall outlet with a proper transfer switch as you may get in serious trouble (get someone killed) and fry your generator or trip its breaker

2
alwayslovingu•

If your portable generator is powerful enoug, take it easy, if there is anything wrong, it will show you.

2
Electron82•

"Do I need to ground the generator to power my fridge?" No, but I do suggest it for safety use the grounding terminal that came with the generator I suggest doing this before that possible huriccane hits, "air conditioner" with 3400 watts probably not most likely no but try checking the wattage of it as it may work,
"coffee maker" maybe it depends on the wattage of the coffee maker

1
kitp2011OP•

So I found something in the manual:

The generator system ground connects the frame to the ground terminals on the power panel [of the generator]

The generator (stator winding) is isolated from the frame and from the AC receptacle ground pin.

Electrical devices that require a grounded receptacle pin connection will not function if the receptacle ground pin is not functional.

1
JohnProofElectrician•

This is a Champion generator? You need to bond the neutral to the frame.

As it sits right now, if there is a short-circuit to ground on anything plugged into your extension cords the breaker will not trip, because there is no circuit path back to the generator [this is what they mean by "the generator stator winding is isolated from the receptacle ground pin"].

This page shows you how to disconnect the neutral bond, you want to reverse the procedure and make sure the neutral bond is connected.

Also, I agree with the others: Absolutely do not hook the generator up to your household wiring. Buy some heavy extension cords that are as short as possible to reach the fridge and AC while still keeping the generator safely outside.

1
kitp2011OP•

This is a Champion generator.

So disconnecting the neutral bond will require me to get a copper rod? Or are you telling me that I do not want a floating neutral wire (white wire) that I want to make sure the neutral is still bolted on with the ground (green) wire meaning I won't need a copper rod?

You may not believe this but I was a Jet electrician in the Navy many moons ago lol. You really do lose it if you don't use it!

1
JohnProofElectrician•

Don't even worry about ground rods, that's just unneeded confusion.

Yeah, you want to make sure the neutral is still bolted to the green wire that's attached to the frame.

When this is all said and done, with the engine turned off, you should be able to put a multimeter in the neutral slot on the receptacle and read continuity to the receptacle ground hole and also to the generator frame.

2
Electron82•

then yeah just go ahead and hook it up

0
Electron82•

yes hook up ground or do what JohnProof said

0