How To Ground A Generator

You wondering what grounding a generator means, and how you can go about it? You must learn how to ground a generator because it will be detrimental to you if you do not when you should have.

But before you consider learning this, I should ask: “Are you sure you should earth your portable generator?

To find out the answer to this, do well to study the manufacturer’s instructions attached to the product.

What is Grounding a Generator?

Grounding is another name for Earthing, and it is the process of connecting an electrical device to the ground (earth).

In the case of a generator, the frame is connected with a copper wire to a copper rod, which is then buried deep in the ground.

What Materials Do You Need?

To be able to carry out this task, you would want to make sure you have the tools necessary to produce a good job. However, you can refer to this list when making your list of tools used for generator grounding.

Copper Wire

You will need a solid and quality copper wire to connect your generator to the grounding rod. So, get an ample amount of this wire, so that you will not stop halfway.

Wire Stripper

The connecting ends of the copper wire will need to be stripped of the plastic covering. Do not savage your safety by trying to use your teeth to remove the covering. A wire stripper will make it quick, safer, and neater. Use a knife if you do not have a wire stripper.

Copper Ground Rod

The copper ground rod is the most important tool you need for this exercise. The rod should not be shorter than 4 feet, as it will serve as the main grounding material.

Plier

During the grounding process, you will wind the copper wire around the copper rod. A good set of pliers is all you need to carry out this section of the process.

Hammer

You will use a hammer to drive the copper ground rod into the ground. You can first dig up the ground slightly to ease the process. And when hammering the rod, ensure you do not damage it.

Wrench

The wrench is used to loosen the bolt of the generator to enable a better connection.

How Do I Ground a Generator?

Now you have these materials, let us now delve into the steps involved.

Step 1: Bury the Copper Grounding Rod

Drive the Copper Ground Rod into the earth at least 8 feet down using a hammer or mallet. To make this easier, earth up the ground first with a shovel.

If the ground is hard, you could pour water there to soften it. If you are installing it on rocky ground, placing the rod at an angle not less than 45° will ease the whole process.

Step 2: Strip the Copper Wire at both Ends

Strip both ends of the copper wire using the wire stripper. Wind one end of the wire around the rod in the ground using a plier.

Step 3: Ground the Generator

When you have wound wire around the rod, now it is time to connect the other end of the wire to the generator.

Locate the grounding bolt on your generator and loosen it with the wrench. The manufacturer’s manual can help you locate the bold faster.

Wind the wire around the bolt and tighten it back. After this, you are done.

Conclusion

If grounding is necessary for your type or brand of generator, then it is an important thing you must do for safety and efficiency’s sake.

So if you have wondered how you could do that, I believe this guide has done justice to it.

Generator