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Here's an email we got from one of our Instructors:

 

I just purchased a portable generator from Harbor Freight and was reading my operating guide for the machine.  The instructions said to ground the generator prior to use and this seemed strange to me, since I would be using the 4-prong 240V connector to my house.  I asked an electrician at work, and he recommended that I not add a ground, and to watch your video on grounding.  Very informative video.  As advised by the instructor in the video, you, I am informing you that there is another manufacturer that is recommending grounding their machine.  Attached are the instructions.

Thanks for the education,

Stewart

Mike Holt's Comment: See my Electrical Safety Fundamentals [1hr:13min] video on Grounding.

 

 

 
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Mike Holt Enterprises of Leesburg, Inc. 3604 Parkway Blvd. Suite 3 Leesburg, FL 34748
"... as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." [Joshua 24:15]
Comments

  • The link to the manual does not work. This one should.

    manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/69000-69999/69671.pdf

    It appears to me that the ground rod they are asking for (24" in the dirt) is not something that the code even recognizes as it does not meet the requirements to be any of the code recognized GE.

    It also appears to me that it won't hurt anything in a standalone operation. It won't any good, but it won't hurt anything. It would essentially be a non-compliant auxiliary electrode.

    If it was to be connected as a backup power source to an existing electrical system, it would need some thought on just how it was hooked up to be safe.

    I think the manual is poorly written and probably written by someone who does not understand either the purpose for grounding in the first place, nor the NEC requirements for such things.

    bob peterson  August 12 2016, 8:04 am EDT
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