Or other electronic items, I've had several builders ruin tool battery chargers by running off a genny.
Wiring a generator for backup power
- Thread starter NickCu
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Most generators will have an earth termial, any earth rod should connect to that point.
Loss of PEN is rare, but this could be reason for loss of supply, so PME/TN-C-S earth should not be connected to an earth rod.
200 ohm is considered maxium over that can be unstable.
Loss of PEN is rare, but this could be reason for loss of supply, so PME/TN-C-S earth should not be connected to an earth rod.
200 ohm is considered maxium over that can be unstable.
Why ruined?
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Yes I have not personally had problems, although I have noted some generators are not good with droop or voltage regulation, but are within limits.
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Many many years ago we did music for a beach party using a 1.5KVA genny, basic set-up of 50W transister amp, tape recorder and a few coloured bulbs, nothing flashy but as the afternoon spread into the evening the music started sounding distorted, The amp sufferred and was sent back to the manufacturers (FAL) and they replaced the push-pull driver transformer but it , we put it into a local repairer who gave it a clean bill of health. We replaced it with a later model. It never did sound right again until I stripped out the output stage and replaced with commercial 50W module.
We always blamed running it on a genny but truth be told we never did know.
Only examined the first one I was asked to look at & several components on the circuit board were fried. Just did a sniff test on several others over time without opening them & they all smelt the same. Must admit I have not seen one for a few years now but I think most people around here know I don't do work anymore so I'm not sure if it is still a problem. But as Wotan & Sunray also feel it is a problem then it might be.
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Except ...
1) It's not allowed to switch the CPC - so unless you use a plug & socket for the mains supply to the building, then the CPC needs to remain connected when using an alternative power source (which will require a local earth electrode).
2) For Amdt 2 we were expecting a requirement to add a local earth electrode - so specifically requiring the PME/TN-C-S earth to be connected to a local earth electrode.
I think the only thing we can be absolutely certain of is ... drum roll ... it's not a simple issue
I stand corrected
But in the absence of skilled operators and a formal testing regime, I'd be "a tad wary" of having a switch in the system earth. Seen too many failed switches, and a failed contact in the system earth would most likely go un-noticed as it wouldn't stop anything working which seems to be the typical layman's way of finding out that something's broken.
But in the absence of skilled operators and a formal testing regime, I'd be "a tad wary" of having a switch in the system earth. Seen too many failed switches, and a failed contact in the system earth would most likely go un-noticed as it wouldn't stop anything working which seems to be the typical layman's way of finding out that something's broken.
Aren't even most of the small cheapy generators inverter based now? This should have improved output quality generally over some older gennies (in theory).
a decent eg viktron sine wave inverters produce a smooth sine wave, ive put s scope on one.
Is that typical of a cheap off the shelf generator such as the man in the street might buy from from Aldi or B&Q?
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I have to admit I don't like the idea of diodes or switches in the earth bond, however boats use diodes, and EV charge points use relays.
Likely best is go TT, but one has to do a risk assessment, as said rather complex.
Likely best is go TT, but one has to do a risk assessment, as said rather complex.
I've never looked at one.
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