[TowerTalk] Grounding, portable generators, field day

[Gary Schafer]

Why do you install a ground rod at the generator?
Do you also install ground rods at each operating position?

You may be better off without a ground connection. Let the ac float. 
Neither side is at earth ground like it is with ac mains from the power 
company.

Just use a gfi breaker. That will give more protection than any 
grounding you may do.

73
Gary  k4FMX


R. Kevin Stover wrote:
> Our FD power system is comprised of a 5KW generator with an 8ft copper 
> clad rod driven in right next to the generator.
> The frame of the generator and the genset are grounded at that point. 
> For distribution we use an Octopus of sorts made up of a main breaker 
> box with 4 15 amp breakers. Each breaker in the box feeds another steel 
> box with a quad outlet. The entire system is built using 12/3 romex. It 
> might be a good idea in a field day situation to use GFCI breakers but I 
> don't think we've done it yet.
> 
> We will continue to run in a steady, gentle type of rain. If we hear 
> thunder much less see lightning we run for cover.
> I've never worked an FD where I haven't gotten wet at some point. 
> Stringing dipoles in a driving rain is right down there with root canal 
> for me.
>