Using MX60 with poor quality generators [RE-wrenches]

[Christopher Freitas --- OutBack Power]

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The problem that the bonded NG of a small portable generator will cause 
is an AC ground fault - even in the non-protected wiring of the house - 
even when the generator is not running...  

The reason the "professional" generator guys don't worry about it is 
that most of the AC transfer switches will switch both the neutrals and 
the hot conductors of the AC circuits being backed up - this eliminates 
the ground faults.  

This is what we do with the mobile versions (UL458) of the OutBack 
inverter/chargers - but not on the AE/grid-tie versions.  The UL1741 
standard in past did not allow switching of the grounded conductors - 
but I can't say if its in the current version anymore without checking.

The AC transfer switch on the mobile versions is only 30 amps - while 
the AE/GT versions are 60 amps for 120VAC applications. We have 
prototyped a 60 amp unit which switches both hots and neutrals - but it 
is expensive to do.  

The best solution is having the AC transfer switch for the grid / gen 
selection switch both the hots and neutrals "upstream" of the standard 
AE/GT inverter/charger.   

I hope this makes sense!     
 
> Is the grounded-neutral a power quality problem, or just a code issue? 
> What
> problems does it really pose in actual practice?
> 
> I know of professional generator installers that never mess with the 
> bond in
> the generator.

Christopher Freitas
OutBack Power Systems, Inc.
cfreitas @ outbackpower.com  
www.outbackpower.com
Arlington WA USA
Tel 360 435 6030  

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