Interesting discussion points made by respondents regarding grounding, 3 wire
extension leads and use of GFIs.
BE AWARE that not all setups can achieve this.
IN PARTICULAR, the HONDA series of generators, EU10i, EU20i, EU26i, which are
used extensively worldwide do not have the neutral tied to earth.
If you measure between Active and Neutral you will achieve the rated voltage
(110 or 240), but Active to Earth or Neutral to Earth will give half the rated
voltage in both cases.
There is an earth point on the generator (which should have an earth stake
attached for safety and RFI purposes), but this means that MOST GFI's will NOT
WORK in this situation, regardless of where they are placed in the layout.
This leads to a common (and dangerous) trick that operators will often do and
that is to break the earth wire connection to eliminate any residual common
mode RFI travelling from the generator along the earth wire.
The BETTER method is to make up a short extension lead (approximately 80 cm)
with as many turns wound through ferrite toroids to eliminate RFI and plug this
into the generator with the station extension leads plugging into this short
extension lead.
WE have found 3 toroids in series to present sufficient impedance to be useful
from 1.8 mhz upwards.
Most of the commercial filters available, do not filter the earth lead and in
fact, often suggest the use of a dummy adaptor with the earth connection
removed. This is a dangerous practice in the field day situation.
Cheers
Peter VK3QI (IOTA ops VI3JPI, VI5WCP and VI5BR)
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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