From: hornetd@gmail.com   
      
   On Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 10:10:18 AM UTC-5, J.B. Wood wrote:   
   > Hello, all.  As most portable consumer-grade AC generators don't have   
   > their grounds (frame and ground prongs on their mounted AC outlets)   
   > bonded to their neutrals, I was wondering what useful function having a   
   > 3-prong U-ground outlet on the genset performs (other than mating with   
   > appliance and extension cords).  In a residence having the neutrals and   
   > green (grounding) wires connected together at the service entrance   
   > ensures that hot wire-to-exposed metal frame appliance faults (assuming   
   > appliance is using a 3-wire cord) will trip the appropriate panel   
   > breaker/fuse.  This would not appear to be the case when using the   
   > portable generator.  I'm only assuming that the generator is servicing   
   > 3-wire plugged-in appliances.  I don't think it's a shock issue outdoors   
   > if a hot-to-ground fault in the appliance occurs, it may continue to   
   > function normally until it's subsequently plugged into a   
   > residential/commercial AC power outlet.   
   >   
   > Of course the equivalent action in the residence could be had by bonding   
   > the generator's neutral to its frame ground.  Your time and comment is   
   > greatly appreciated.  Sincerely,   
   >   
   > --   
   > J. B. Wood	            e-mail: arl_123234@hotmail.com   
      
   I came up short at your first assertion.  In my 55 years of doing various   
   forms of local power production installs I don't remember finding one off the   
   floor portable generator were the neutral was not bonded to the frame.   
      
   --   
   Tom Horne   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)