How To Ground A Portable Generator – Is It Necessary?

Have no idea how to ground a portable generator?

This article will teach you everything you need to know about grounding a generator, what it means, the tools you need, and the process of doing it.

What Does Grounding A Generator Mean?

Simply put, grounding or earthing a generator means connecting an electrical system such as a generator to an electrode buried in the ground. This is done to dissipate electrical currents in the event of a power surge.

In other words, the grounded electrode acts as a path of least resistance for electricity to flow. So instead of the excess electrical currents flowing through you or your device (potentially causing electrocutions, fires, or damage to appliances) it flows to the ground where it is dissipated.

Do You Need to Ground Your Portable Generator?

It is common knowledge that all generators have to be grounded to be safe. However, whether or not you have to do something to ground it is the real question you’re asking.

Not all portable generators require you to do anything to ground them. In modern generators, the generator itself is bonded to the metal frame which acts as the ground.

The easiest way to tell whether or not your generator requires grounding is by asking the manufacturer or checking the owner’s manual.

If you cannot do that, there is another way of checking.

Generators that are separately derived systems require grounding. On the other hand, generators that are NOT separately derived systems do not need grounding.

To know whether or not your generator is separately derived, simply check the generator’s transfer switch and look for the option to transfer to a neutral ground conductor.

• If the transfer switch gives you the option to transfer to a neutral ground conductor, it is a separately derived system and would need to be grounded
• If it does NOT, it means it is unseparated and does not need to be grounded

Tools You Need For Grounding Your Generator

Here are the tools you need for grounding.

Copper Ground rod - This is the electrode that will be buried in the ground where the electrical current will be dissipated. Grounding rods are typically over 1 metre in length.

Copper Grounding Wire - Connects the generator to the grounding rod. The length will depend on how far away you set up your grounding rod.

You will also need a copper ground clamp to attach the copper wire to the ground rod.

Hand Tools - Used for the process of burying the ground rod and connecting the wires.

• Wire strippers
• Pliers
• Wrench
• Hammer or mallet

How To Ground Your Portable Generator?

Make sure the generator is turned off while you’re going through this process.

Step 1: Bury the copper ground rod

Using your hammer or mallet, bury the ground rod vertically at least 2-3 metres deep into the ground.

The difficulty of this step will depend on the type of ground you’re burying the rod. For rocky or hard surfaces, you can bury the rod at an angle not exceeding 45 degrees.

Step 2: Attach the copper wire to the ground rod

Attach the copper wire to the ground rod using a ground clamp. You may need to use a wire stripper to strip rubber off your copper wire.

Make sure you strip just enough so it doesn’t expose too much copper. Use your wrench to tighten your grounding clamp.

Step 3: Connect the other end of the copper wire to the generator

Lastly, extend the wire to the generator and connect the copper wire to the appropriate grounding location.

Use the wrench to loosen and tighten the bolts and the pliers to tightly wrap the wire around it.

Conclusion

Grounding a generator is very important for safety reasons. With the proper tools and by following the steps outlined in your owner’s manual, it can be a straightforward task.

Remember that many modern generators are already grounded and don’t require you to do anything in particular.