Bonding a neutral, generator

[Britrider]

I have a powermate 5000 that was setup to run from a transfer switch, so the p.o. floated the ground. I want to run it as a stand alone in the field so need to bond the ground. Can I just run a jumper wire from a green ground terminal under the cap to a white neutral terminal? Thanks in advance
--RW

 

[larry4406]

Yes

Or take a male plug and jumper the neutral to the ground and then plug it it one of the outlets when you want to run it bonded.

I added a switch to mine.

 

[nadogail]

Yes

Or take a male plug and jumper the neutral to the ground and then plug it it one of the outlets when you want to run it bonded.

I added a switch to mine.

I like this idea.

 

[58Yeoman]

For us non-electrical folks, what is the difference between bonded and floating? Why would you want to switch back and forth?

 

[gearhead1]

https://ezgeneratorswitch.com/need-know-generator-type-bonded-floating-neutral/

 

[gearhead1]

https://generatorbible.com/blog/bonded-neutral-vs-floating-neutral/

 

[gearhead1]

This explains it in a little different way.

https://generatorbible.com/blog/bonded-to-floating-neutral/

 

[nadogail]

Thanks for sharing this important, to me at least, information.

 

[larry4406]

For us non-electrical folks, what is the difference between bonded and floating? Why would you want to switch back and forth?

I am no sparky.

When running generator as a portable, it is a separately derived system so neutral and ground should be single point bonded as there is no other bond.

When running generator in standby, it is connected to the house via 4-wire feed which means the neutral and ground bond is at the main panel or disconnect so you need to keep it separate. Hence term floating.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Yes

Or take a male plug and jumper the neutral to the ground and then plug it it one of the outlets when you want to run it bonded.

I added a switch to mine.

X2. Added a switch on mine, too. Just break the N on the genny frame.

Tommy

 

[510ebl]

X2. Added a switch on mine, too. Just break the N on the genny frame.

Tommy

This is on my short list of things to do...

For a 7KW/9.2KW open frame inverter gene, what should be switch be rated for? Would a 120/240V 20A SPST suffice?

Sorry about the Hijack, I hope this is somewhat relevant to the OP’s original question.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

This is on my short list of things to do...

For a 7KW/9.2KW open frame inverter gene, what should be switch be rated for? Would a 120/240V 20A SPST suffice?

Sorry about the Hijack, I hope this is somewhat relevant to the OP’s original question.

I honestly don't remember what switch I used.
I would use 10 AWG wire for you 9.2Kw genny, but I'm not sure if you can derate the switch since it's a ground.

Tommy

 

[larry4406]

Here are the details of how I wired the switch on my generator and the specs of the switch I used.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6492659&postcount=36

Also similar thread which was quite informative for me
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=349293&page=2