[RE-wrenches] generator tripping GFCI

[Darryl Thayer]

The way a GFCI operates is by comparing the line current and the neutral
current inside the device.  If some of the neutral current is returning
through a ground circuit instead of the neutral the imbalance will trip the
device.  The generator neutral and the inverter neutral must have a common
neutral-ground bond and only one!
Your presentation indicates operational differences, multiple bonding
points (two or more) can cause a neutral ground imbalance when load, source
changes occur.  The load-source changes can affect the tripping result.

On Sat, Dec 19, 2020 at 5:23 PM jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com> wrote:

> HI All,
>
> I have a client with a older Kohler 8-10kw generator, VFX 3648 stacked
> inverters, newer rolls batteries. its been installed and operating normally
> for 10+ years.
>
> Customer had to upgrade the house for code, which involved installing GFCI
> outlets and GFCI breakers.
>
> Since then the  GFI outlets trip every time the generator starts but only
> after 3-30 minutes.   They work normally on the inverters. And if you do a
> bypass/generator direct the GFI outlets don’t trip.
>
> The GFI breakers trip when the generator is about to turn off, not during
> warm down but say 30 minutes before it will turn off.  So charging current
> is at the lowest. And again they all work normally on the inverters and all
> the rest of the charge cycle.
>
>
> Voltage is a bit high, around 254v-259v from the generator but it is the
> whole time and seems to stable voltage. But if the voltage was the issue
> the outlets would keep tripping.  If it was too high for the breakers, why
> at the end and not the beginning?
>
> I’m thinking its possibly a control board in the generator that’s not
> working well.  Can’t keep up with the PF for the inverters, etc.
>
> Buts its a new issue I’ve not run across.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> thanks
>
> jay
>
> peltz power
>
>
>
>
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