Wish i knew this while i was at lowes ugh no way to ground it atm oh well

 

If you use three pronged extension cords, you'll be grounding through the ground wire in the cord, you're fine.

I have a 6 foot piece of rebar and a jukper cable i can use if need be

 

 

If you use three pronged extension cords, you'll be grounding through the ground wire in the cord, you're fine.

 

Ok good

Once again NJGF folks come though with good info. Thanks. Safe journey everyone.

Yes, thank you all for the info. I didn't know about the grounding either, but am using 3 prong extention cords for now. After this passes, I'm going to look into getting this thing hooked into the breaker panel and just flip the switch over.

 

Me personally, I don't care if I'm without power for a few days, but i live with my elderly father, and he has to run a few medical things, nothing to serious, but enough that he can't go more than a day or two.

 

We got the Steele 6000W generator for $800 at Sears in Bergenfield. We waited all day yesterday. Not the greatest price, but it's only about $100-150 above Amazon prices.

If you use three pronged extension cords, you'll be grounding through the ground wire in the cord, you're fine.

frame of generator has to be grounded, three prong cords do nothing for you if the frame isn't grounded

frame of generator has to be grounded, three prong cords do nothing for you if the frame isn't grounded

 

Crap, really? What can I use to ground the generator in a pinch?

Crap, really? What can I use to ground the generator in a pinch?

 

 

Metal rod into ground, thick wire.

 

 

But, know 95% of the population probably dont ground there generators

 

I dont see why homedepot or lowes wouldnt have the supplies you need right now

lots of people, including lots of contractors I've seen, never ground their generators. Mind you, if you have some jumper cables and some metal somewhere it is an easy thing. I ground mine to the a chunk piping, hell you can probably ground it to the outside hose hookup in your yard.

 

I confess I've also ran it with no grounding when running it for testing and maintenance, and I generally run some power tool from it at the time, like a edger or whatever. If I was going to use it to power things in my house, then I ground it.

I ground mine to the a chunk piping, hell you can probably ground it to the outside hose hookup in your yard.

 

Good advice, but if you have PEX piping, dont do this.

Well fine, good point I guess, I live in a old home with good old fashioned pipes. Sometimes those old homes pay off.

Looks like I wil have to take a chance without grounding it. Lets hope for the best.

 

Can you ground to any metal? Like the door pillars for a gargae door?

Looks like I wil have to take a chance without grounding it. Lets hope for the best.

 

Can you ground to any metal? Like the door pillars for a gargae door?

 

No , ground goes to ground, literally.

 

You can tap off things like your outdoor hose spicot, maybe your metal conduit for your main electrical service, these are usually connected to your main service ground one way or another

 

 

No , ground goes to ground, literally.

 

You can tap off things like your outdoor hose spicot, maybe your metal conduit for your main electrical service, these are usually connected to your main service ground one way or another

Why wouldn't it work? Sounds like the whole house would be the ground

 

Why wouldn't it work? Sounds like the whole house would be the ground

 

If you ground something to a metal object that doesn't go to earth it will become electrified if something shorts out.

frame of generator has to be grounded, three prong cords do nothing for you if the frame isn't grounded

 

 

Here is the NEC code about portable generators:

 

 

250.34 Generators-Portable and Vehicle-Mounted

(A) Portable Generators. The frame of a portable generator is not be required to be grounded to the earth if:

(1) The generator only supplies equipment or cord-and-plug-connected equipment through receptacles mounted on the generator, or both, and

(2) The metal parts of generator and the grounding terminals of the receptacles are bonded to the generator frame.

 

Here is the NEC code about portable generators:

 

True, it does not HAVE TO be grounded in order to work, but in the event of a sudden surge, lightning , shorts , etc - It'll most likely fry your electronics, generator or both.

 

And I bet the first thing the Generator company customer service people will ask you when you call up complaining of a fried generator is asking wether or not you had it grounded.

 

Again, Not required to work, most people do not do it - but it's a good idea/precaution.

I never said it wasn't a good idea. It is, if possible. For running your fridge and lights on ext cords during a short term outage, you're not going to have an issue. There are breakers on the generator that will trip if the appliance shorts.

 

If you tie your generator to your house, you need it grounded properly.

Well if it is tied to your house, it will be grounded, as the ground wire from the generator will go to the ground wire for your house.

Well if it is tied to your house, it will be grounded, as the ground wire from the generator will go to the ground wire for your house.

 

Correct, - If you backfeed to your panel the the ground wire will connect from gen to your main panel ground

Also you need to check if the neutral is bonded to ground on the generator. From what I read, you want a floating neutral if you are connecting the generator to your panel via interlock or transfer switch, otherwise you will trip the GFI in the generator. I did not test this, but I removed the jumper as per the instructions and it ran fine during the last storm.

Please please please, do not backfeed your house without a proper transfer switch!

Please please please, do not backfeed your house without a proper transfer switch!

 

Or an interlock.

Or be smart enough to do it correctly

Not even running mine. Came to the conclusion that i dont need it. I can charge my phone and what not in my car.. city water.. and hot water still works. Not much perishable food either. So ill return it friday haha

Not even running mine. Came to the conclusion that i dont need it. I can charge my phone and what not in my car.. city water.. and hot water still works. Not much perishable food either. So ill return it friday haha

 

I think it's to early to come to that conclusion, but if you really dont want to hang on to it for things like your sump pump ( if applicable ) throw it on craigslist or something, I'm sure there are people in need.

Well im turning off my cell for now and leaving it in my car. If anyone needs one pm me ill get bavk to you asap

 

 

Or an interlock.

 

I was looking at that interlock kit on YouTube. I think I'm going to get that.

 

What do you guys think?

 

Go to YouTube and put in "Interlock generator". It should come up, short 2-4 min video.

 

Sorry, I'm at work, can post a link yet.