Testing a Generator for a Floating Neutral

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  • Опубликовано: 25 дек 2024

Комментарии • 74

  • @DesertPackrat
    @DesertPackrat 5 месяцев назад

    Finally a no nonsense demonstration. Thank you. People try way too hard to over explain things when most RUclips viewers are just looking for the basics.

  • @Theistliecatcher
    @Theistliecatcher Год назад

    Ok ty. The only person on planet earth that knew how to easily fix my brand new eu2200i. It shows one amber center light. No power to chord but stater power green light is on. Ty ty ty. I will test in daylight hours. Not even honda mechanics knew this. Smh.
    I will also do a video on this if it works abmnd will give you a shout out. Ty again

  • @mattwaters6987
    @mattwaters6987 11 месяцев назад +1

    Great video. Made the bonding plug in about 10 minutes, since my EU2200i is a floating neutral. Cheers!

  • @johngreenlund4497
    @johngreenlund4497 2 года назад +1

    It works!!! and for under $10! THANKS SO MUCH for sharing this. I bought a Predator generator and it worked great with tools and lights. Then I tried to fire up my York furnace.... uh-oh; the furnace didn't like the power as it came out of the Predator. The furnace did show nine blinking red lights which helped as that means there is a grounding error. I tried everything; no go. Then I found this video, ordered the plug and instant success!!! Why didn't my generator manual say BTW, to run some appliances with circuit boards you will need this plug?? Life saver and we have an ice storm coming this week.

  • @sykesc2
    @sykesc2 8 лет назад +9

    Great video! Very clear and helpful. Do you still need to connect the generator frame to earth ground? Thanks!

  • @TheBierp
    @TheBierp 6 лет назад +7

    This is great info, thanks for posting.
    One thing though, when I go to the Progressive Industries link for the plug, it simply redirects me to their main page. I don't see that plug listed on their RV Adapters and Accessories list.
    Can you post a direct link to that plug in the comments? Thanks!

  • @normnilsson7208
    @normnilsson7208 4 года назад +1

    I love that you have the guts to say what everybody knows but are too afraid to say it

  • @TEAMDragonAZ
    @TEAMDragonAZ 5 лет назад +1

    I've got a Generac GP2200i generator. EMS on camper is showing exactly what you have in the video. When I test voltage on the generator, I get 62V on both sides of the outlet. Just want to make sure if I plug that in, it's not going to fry my generator. Thanks!

  • @gravelydon7072
    @gravelydon7072 6 лет назад

    Our good old Sears 3500 watt generator has proper wiring for both 240 and 120 volt use. 4 wire plug to connect to house wiring. Two duplex outlets at 120V. A single 120v 3 pin receptacle for 120V full wattage output with a switch that allows for the full generator power to be at 120V. You have your choice of 240+120 or 120 only. You don't see that on more modern units anymore.

  • @donnastinnett1668
    @donnastinnett1668 5 лет назад +5

    This information would have been really helpful in the beginning when unboxing our inverter generator. Why don't the manufacturers tell you this or provide an option to fix it, they know we buy these types of generators to power our RV's. We wasted a whole day trying to figure out what was wrong, and why we weren't getting power to the rv. And of course it was a Sunday so their tech support wasn't in! Thanks for the helpful video, and explaining this issue. Seems like there would be a more permanent fix?

    • @blackrifle6736
      @blackrifle6736 Год назад

      *What you get when engineers and tech writers are overruled by C-Suite attorneys having zero electrical knowledge or experience and no inclination to correct that deficiency. "Suits Suck". Cheers!*

  • @statestreetlandscaping6955
    @statestreetlandscaping6955 5 месяцев назад

    Please send link for 30A 240V grounding adapter for the Yamaha EF6300 inverter. I think its L1430. Thanks!

  • @EvaBongoria
    @EvaBongoria 8 лет назад +2

    So do you just leave the jumper plugged into the receptacle?
    If you had one of these plugged into a house/gen panel, would you be able to just jumper the neutral/ground at the 30A receptacle at the house/plug in station?

    • @HH-pj2df
      @HH-pj2df 4 года назад +2

      Never do this if you connect to your house. The generator must be floating neutral. The ground and neural are connected in your panel and that is the only place they should be.

  • @st2288
    @st2288 7 лет назад +3

    Just a short between the neutral and ground

  • @timtaylor7126
    @timtaylor7126 7 лет назад +2

    I have a 3100 watt generator / inverter, (carry on)when we are out on the water and my wife wants to use the air conditioner we tried using our generator but our boat goes into reverse polarity! I was told I need this plug and my generator will work, is this true?

    • @donguess4380
      @donguess4380 6 лет назад

      Tim Taylor did u solve problems because I’ve now have the same problem

  • @gonepriused
    @gonepriused 9 лет назад +2

    So is it safe to say, that you have the ground lug tapped into the neutral plug? So one could make their own plug by just connecting a wire from the ground terminal up to the neutral side of the plug

    • @st2288
      @st2288 8 лет назад +1

      +gonepriused yup. that's it

    • @kirio704
      @kirio704 8 лет назад

      +gonepriused yes, not a true ground tho is it?

    • @gonepriused
      @gonepriused 8 лет назад

      It does work, I made one up for my Honda 2000 inverter gen.

    • @fromtheflightdeck252
      @fromtheflightdeck252 Год назад +1

      That would take away his profit, you are supposed to buy the one he made for $1 and is selling for $10. Shhhhhh....

  • @rayberger2694
    @rayberger2694 5 лет назад +1

    OK, I understand what you are saying, the plug you are promoting jumps the neutral output back to the ground, but why on inverter generators does the manufacturer not have it bonded ? there is really no additional cost involved so I am thinking there is some condition that the inverter part of the generator can not handle ??? Do you have any thoughts on this ???

    • @RVelectricity
      @RVelectricity 5 лет назад +3

      It's because the generator manufacturer doesn't have to use a GFCI outlet if the generator neutral is unbonded. It's a UL and NEC requirement. So to save money, and the hassle of users complaining about GFCI's tripping, they only have to float the neutral. Problem solved.

    • @KevinCoop1
      @KevinCoop1 3 года назад

      RV’s answer is mostly correct and I agree with him. If you plug a tool into the generator have it in your hand and touch the generator metal you do not get shocked. No GFCI.

  • @rob21
    @rob21 5 лет назад +1

    Since portable generators like the Honda EU2200i have a ground terminal on the front, wouldn't be safer just to use that with an earth ground? Or does this do something different?

    • @cannaroe1213
      @cannaroe1213 5 лет назад

      The ground terminal on a EU2200i is to connect your generator to a iron pole buried a few feet into the ground, to give it a real earth and not a floating/fake earth, at the plug.

  • @benkanobe7500
    @benkanobe7500 3 года назад

    Mike, a little off-topic: I use my HONDA generators to power my house during power outages. If it is just me, I back feed through a legal breaker with a manual transfer switch on just one leg of my two legs of 120 VAC as I have all my critical loads on that leg. If the family is here, I power my house during outages through a legal 220VAC backfeed through a different breaker and the same manual transfer switch to power the whole house. Is the floating neutral a thing when I am powering the house with 220VAC and if so, how do I fix it as you have shown for 120VAC? Thank you!

  • @letsgo4167
    @letsgo4167 7 лет назад +5

    neutral from a generator are to be isolated from the building (rv) grounds and its neutral buss , to prevent inbalanced nuetral back feeds. CODE. UNBALANCED back feeds can cause shock and death.

  • @fabiodarocha2842
    @fabiodarocha2842 4 года назад +1

    How about just using a meter probe to see if generator is bonded or has a neutral floating. Probe right in the four prongs of the outlet.Go from neutral to ground and check for continuity.

  • @JohnSmith-ug5ci
    @JohnSmith-ug5ci 6 лет назад +1

    I have a floating neutral on a 7000 watt inverter generator so should I run a ground wire from the floating neutral on the generator to a ground pole in the ground? I am not using a transfer switch.

    • @KevinCoop1
      @KevinCoop1 3 года назад +3

      John, in short NO. Ground rods are for lightning protection. The only time they should be bonded in the generator is for an RV and if you use 3 pole (neutral) transfer in your house.

  • @xulescu
    @xulescu Год назад

    does this work on a petrol/diesel generator or only inverters?

  • @victorhoye6116
    @victorhoye6116 4 года назад +1

    Mike, I know a lot about most things but am severely deficient when it comes to electrical matters. I just bought a Ram Promaster high roof van to use as a camper and bought a WEN 2000 WATT generator / inverter to run a small portable ac unit with a heat pump for wintertime. The unit only requires 1300 starting watts and runs at 1100 so the 2000 watt generator should have no problem running it. I have received the ac but am waiting on the generator. In prep for receiving the generator I downloaded the manual and found that they say the unit needs to be earth grounded before being used. Apparently that means driving a metal rod 8' into the ground and connecting the ground nut on the unit to the buried ground with 6 awg wire. I simply cannot see myself doing that especially since I don't see myself staying in one place very long. Not only would it be almost impossible to get in that deep in lots of places, it would then be a major chore to get it back out.
    Is there something else I can do to make this unit safe? Would the plug you mentioned in your video make my unit safe to use without grounding it? If there is nothing I can do to make this unit safe, what small units are available to use without a ground?
    I really hope you can offer me an easy and inexpensive way to solve this problem.
    Also, I have seen literally hundreds of campers running small generators from Honda, Yamaha, Harbor Freight(Predator 2000) and others and I don't recall a single one with a proper ground. Is this a non-Issue and people are ignoring the warning without being hurt?
    If the Wen cannot be made safe to use easily, I need to return it and get something else.
    Thanks in advance for your advice!
    Vic H.

    • @ebikecnx7239
      @ebikecnx7239 Год назад

      So what did you do in the end? Did it work without ground?

  • @SchultzStudioz
    @SchultzStudioz 4 года назад

    Great video! I’m assuming the neutral grounding plug won’t work if my generator has gfi outlets. I have a Champion 7000 open frame inverter.

    • @KevinCoop1
      @KevinCoop1 3 года назад

      Have you checked to see if it is not bonded? If not, then the plug might trip it, but I think it would not unless you connect a conductor from a ground rod to the generator. But that is only a guess. There are times when it should and should not be bonded. Using power tools, no. Connecting to an RV, yes. Connecting to the electrical system in your house with 2 pole transfer, no. Connecting to house with 3 pole transfer(neutral) yes.
      Best Wishes, Kevin.

    • @timothyjb100
      @timothyjb100 24 дня назад

      @@KevinCoop1 Using power tools, YES.

  • @lar4305
    @lar4305 10 месяцев назад

    So if i run an extension cord ,3 prong to my refrigerator , does it need to be ground neutral bonded? 3400 watt generator. i am very confused about this.

  • @dj5752
    @dj5752 4 года назад

    Thanks Mike, Always great information. I have 2 new Paxcess 2300/1800 invert-er generators. I would like to parallel the two and plug into my house L1430 inlet box. The house is already bonded. This generator does not have any GFCI outlets. I believe I need to un-bond these 2 generators to use when hooked to the house panel. Am I correct? and would you know how to locate where it's bonded. I believe it's a Yamaha clone and I'm sure it's built the same as all other inverter generators made in China. Thanks. P.S.When making the G-N Bond plug should I use stranded or solid wire or does it matter. I made one with #12 stranded wire and it seems to be working.

    • @KevinCoop1
      @KevinCoop1 3 года назад +1

      John, I have designed numerous large generator backed up electrical systems. But my knowledge on small portables is limited. I’m guessing that your generators are not bonded from what I am reading, they come that way so if you are using a tool off the gen and touch the metal frame, you do not get shocked. Just in case you do, an RV needs a bonding jumper installed. Now for your house. With the 1430 you should be taking 120/240 volts into your house. Here is how to know if you need a bonding jumper in the gens. You must have a means to disconnect from the utility(that is an absolute). If you only disconnect the L1 and L2, then you should not bond in the generator. If you disconnect both lines and neutral(3 pole transfer switch) then you should bond in the generators.
      I’m not sure how you safely parallel the outputs, I hope you have that figured out.
      Respectfully, Kevin

  • @Theistliecatcher
    @Theistliecatcher Год назад

    And yet not one generator repairmen knew this or any electrician. I taught 15 professionals about this

  • @progressiveindustries5070
    @progressiveindustries5070 9 лет назад +1

    Great video. Thanks for sharing.

  • @ronbercan1000
    @ronbercan1000 3 года назад +1

    Will your insurance pay if something goes wrong ???

  • @dannelson8556
    @dannelson8556 3 года назад +4

    Don't do this !! if you are plugging your RV directly into the generator and your RV has a standard circuit breaker distribution panel than you actually want a floating neutral at the generator. The neutral and ground will be bonded at the RV's breaker box and it's dangerous to have it bonded at two locations.
    Don't take my word for it, you can test it using the same 3 prong tester, simply plug your RV into your generator and then test an outlet in the RV with the tester, if your RV is wired properly then you won't see the open neutral.
    The problem he is having has nothing to do with the generator but with the surge suppressor that he is using, they are not intended to be used with generators but rather grid power.

    • @bigpardner
      @bigpardner 3 года назад

      Wouldn't the same be true of any situation in which the generator is connected to the wiring system of a house and the ground and neutral are bonded at the breaker box? Why is it dangerous to be bonded in 2 locations? In this video showing how to disconnect the neutral and ground in a generator I recently purchased they don't explain when and why this should be done, but they do say " There are certain applications where this is required like connecting a portable generator to a transfer switch that has a neutral bond." ruclips.net/video/ad1hAKS66OY/видео.html

    • @psb962
      @psb962 3 года назад +1

      @@bigpardner It's dangerous to bond in two locations because if you do that the ground carries some of the neutral current back to the source (the generator). See the Mike Holt NEC videos for the many hours of discussion on that...!

    • @tray8411
      @tray8411 Год назад

      You are absolutely correct..

    • @pinkiepie1656
      @pinkiepie1656 Год назад

      RVs dont have N2G bonding. An RV is expected to be plugged into a power source that is already bonded.

  • @jmiller3605
    @jmiller3605 6 лет назад +2

    Pretty sure you can use a jumper to bond the neutral instead of use a plug as a jumper.

    • @donnastinnett1668
      @donnastinnett1668 5 лет назад +1

      You would think, but it didn't work when we tried bonding it to ground.

  • @wb6wsn
    @wb6wsn 7 лет назад

    Why would any smaller generator be manufactured without having a Neutral / Safety Ground internal bond?

    • @Dqalex
      @Dqalex 7 лет назад +6

      Most homes have a Ground/ neutral bond in main panel. if you connect a generator to you home with an interlock and some transfer switches by code you can only have a ground /neutral bond in one location. The generator should have a floating neutral if you already have a bond in the main box. If you bond in two places it can cause a loop in the neutral and trip any GFI's If your generator is 100% GFI like the Honda EB series the main breaker on the generator will trip right away when using a transfer switch or Interlock.

    • @gravelydon7072
      @gravelydon7072 6 лет назад

      Dqalex, All of our circuits carry the ground all the way to the outlets. That includes the GFCI ones. Manual test show they all are working correctly. They do not trip out on the generator and it is a 4 wire 240/120 unit like all the others we have/had. And yes, our Neutral is bonded to ground in more than one place without problems. 3 to be exact. One in each of the two transfer switches and one in the main panel. The transformer out front also is grounded. We don't have any problems from the neighbor's feedbacks as we are on our own transformer. It would be a pain to replace our underground wiring because between the two conduit sweeps at each end, it is buried in concrete.

    • @Ozzie4Para
      @Ozzie4Para 4 года назад

      @@Dqalex so here's my question. I'm about to buy an inverter generator that has "neutral bonded to frame" on the front panel. I will be running a 6/3 wire from the 240V twist lock outlet on the generator to a sub panel within my home that has 95% of my home's breakers. That sub panel is fed by a main panel outside that is neutral - ground bonded. I plan on using an Interlock switch inside my sub panel so there's no chance I can back feed power to the grid if the grid power goes down. So in this case what should I do? Should I leave my generator's "neutral bonded to frame" connection alone or should I unhook the neutral wire from behind the generator's end cap? The sub panel inside my home has two separate neutral buss bars because normally it's connected to the outside main panel that's already neutral - ground bonded. Of course that won't be the case with the inside sub panel once I turn off the main breaker inside the sub panel to the main panel connection.

    • @MooseTurder
      @MooseTurder 4 года назад +1

      @@Ozzie4Para first, I'm not an electrician. Next, most sub panel disconnects that I have seen (again not that many) only shut off the hot side. The neutral and ground are not disconnect when flipping the main breaker in a sun panel

    • @Ozzie4Para
      @Ozzie4Para 4 года назад

      @@MooseTurder My new inverter generator has a neutral ground bond. I hooked it up to my panel as is and everything is working fine.

  • @garyshumate1362
    @garyshumate1362 4 года назад

    Sorry if I am asking a previous question...If 2 generators are hooked in parallel do i need 2 plugs?
    Thanks

  • @normnilsson7208
    @normnilsson7208 4 года назад +1

    should you ground the generator ?

  • @Me-zo8yc
    @Me-zo8yc 6 лет назад

    Really helpful, thanks

  • @lauraswan125
    @lauraswan125 6 лет назад

    Could this void my warranty on my Honda EU3000IS....? Or damage anything with long term use with this ground bonding plug?

    • @KevinCoop1
      @KevinCoop1 3 года назад

      Probably not. It is not unsafe. But only use it when connecting to an RV. You can buy the plug on Amazon if you would like. They are from $9-$12.

  • @mikeerickson2412
    @mikeerickson2412 5 лет назад

    Thumbs up well explained

  • @JohnLRice
    @JohnLRice 9 лет назад +1

    Thanks for all your great articles and videos! I learned a lot today! :-)

  • @johng.1703
    @johng.1703 2 года назад

    hmm this really isn't a good idea, shorting the neutral to the ground pin only links the case to neutral. it also allows you to be a conductor back to the generator via the ground.
    you have gone from the only way you can get current to flow is by connecting hot and neutral, to having current flowing from hot to ground too.

  • @HH-pj2df
    @HH-pj2df 4 года назад

    It’s more important to make sure that your generator is properly grounded with a grounding rod which I noticed that you failed to mention in your video. Also, why are you using a surge protector with an inverter generator which already has that protection built in? There is a reason you paid $3k for that Honda.

  • @MrTommy001
    @MrTommy001 5 лет назад +6

    Or, just plug your RV into your generator without any surge protection and go on living with no problems. I've been doing this for YEARS with no repercussions.

    • @Curb71
      @Curb71 5 лет назад

      I've had sex with numerous prostitutes and no comdom and never got an STD. just because you're doing it wrong and haven't had a problem yet doesn't mean it's correct.

    • @johnbattista9519
      @johnbattista9519 4 года назад +1

      Steve Vandeman , just don’t stand in a puddle when using something powered.