Earthing a generator
Discussion
Howdy
I have purchased a workzone 800w petrol generator to use at a school pta event I am running. It is to power an internal pump on an inflatable arch type thing for a running event.
Anyway I've got it out of the box and it all looks ok but I saw that part of the instructions say the generator should be earthed when in use. This has surprised me somewhat.
Do I really need to do this ? If so,how?
Any thoughts gratefully received
I have purchased a workzone 800w petrol generator to use at a school pta event I am running. It is to power an internal pump on an inflatable arch type thing for a running event.
Anyway I've got it out of the box and it all looks ok but I saw that part of the instructions say the generator should be earthed when in use. This has surprised me somewhat.
Do I really need to do this ? If so,how?
Any thoughts gratefully received
This is a can of worms.
There are various ways of using generators with varying earth schemes and protection strategies.
A domestic electrician will tell you their way is the only way, site people will tell you something else, marine can be different again.
Whatever you do, I think two faults can be fatal.
Basically, I wouldn't get involved with generators and 'the public' getting close to each other.
More so if it might rain.
There are various ways of using generators with varying earth schemes and protection strategies.
A domestic electrician will tell you their way is the only way, site people will tell you something else, marine can be different again.
Whatever you do, I think two faults can be fatal.
Basically, I wouldn't get involved with generators and 'the public' getting close to each other.
More so if it might rain.
Jeremy-75qq8 said:
If the instructions say earth it then stick a rod in the ground.
I normally do a few festivals over the summer (sound tech) and when the power guys turn up with multi kw gensets the size of a car the only method of earthing I've ever seen is a metal spike hammered a couple of feet into the ground. I suspect that the power guys know what they're doing as I haven't been killed to death yet!
princeperch said:
Conflicting responses then it seems! It won't be raining when it's on and hopefully noone will die. Id imagine you'd need to earth it if you're using power tools or whatever off it right?
You need to earth it if powering up a board or fixed installation. For your purposes it’s absolutely safe not to use one. njw1 said:
I normally do a few festivals over the summer (sound tech) and when the power guys turn up with multi kw gensets the size of a car the only method of earthing I've ever seen is a metal spike hammered a couple of feet into the ground. I suspect that the power guys know what they're doing as I haven't been killed to death yet!
As someone who does risk assessments for events, them I would definitely say use one. Because if the sh** does hit the fan I can guarantee you someone will asked why wasn't it earthed. (especially as it isn't even a hard task to do) I would also tape it off, and have a fire extinguisher nearby. Overkill I know, but the hoops insurance companies and councils are expecting us to go through, it is no wonder small events are folding.
Edited by Drumroll on Thursday 15th May 07:19
Drumroll said:
As someone who does risk assessments for events, them I would definitely say use one. Because if the sh** does hit the fan I can guarantee you someone will asked why wasn't it earthed. (especially as it isn't even a hard task to do) I would also tape it off, and have a fire extinguisher nearby. Overkill I know, but the hopes insurance companies and councils are expecting us to go through, it is no wonder small events are folding.
Given the OP's description of how it is going to be used, earthing it sounds like it would make the set up MORE dangerous.Surely the only benefit of earthing it is if you also have an earth leakage detector so that the thing will trip out if the "live" side gets earthed by a fault?
If you don't have a trip switch on the circuit, then earthing one side of the transformer means that the other side will have a voltage with respect to anyone standing on the ground. Touch the live side and, bang, you'll get a shock. If you haven't earthed it (so both sides of the transformer's output are floating with respect to the ground) then the only way to get a shock is to touch both wires at the same time. That's really bad if you are holding a wire in each hand, because the shock will go through your chest, but managing to grab both wires at the same time would take some doing.
I don't have any experience of doing this stuff "properly", but from first principles, I think you'd be pretty safe with it unearthed, and safer than having it earthed without also having an earth leakage detector.
ATG said:
Given the OP's description of how it is going to be used, earthing it sounds like it would make the set up MORE dangerous.
I don't have any experience of doing this stuff "properly", but from first principles, I think you'd be pretty safe with it unearthed, and safer than having it earthed without also having an earth leakage detector.
Same thoughts here.I don't have any experience of doing this stuff "properly", but from first principles, I think you'd be pretty safe with it unearthed, and safer than having it earthed without also having an earth leakage detector.
A large site genny and or distribution board will have RCD/RCBO protective devices, and likely be providing power to single span aluminium framed portal marquees nailed into the ground with 3ft stakes.
But if its a double insulated blower, connected directly to a suitcase genny or battery based 240vac power bank its a different thing.
The only issues is the if you are not carefully you are then 'ignoring' the (poorly worded, broadly incorrect) operating instructions.
So ensure your reasoning and research is appropriately robust and suitably documented. Then just get on with your life like anyone else would!
dhutch said:
How powerful is the blower, would a portable battery powered 'power bank' inverter be better.
Doesnt really change the earthing issue but removed the noise, fumes, fire issues.
Or even, replace the blower with a 12/24v unit?Doesnt really change the earthing issue but removed the noise, fumes, fire issues.
Or after a bit of a google, get an blow-up arch with a handpump, rather than one that has a blower.
https://www.gazeboshop.co.uk/printed-inflatable-ga...
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