Which 20kw whole house generator would you recommend and why

[hr3]

But the generator ground also goes to the transfer switch ground bus, which in turn is connected to the house ground and its rod. :confused2:

I know what you mean,,, but we just go by the code,, We have inspectors looking at most every install and they can be picky..

 

[spruce232]

Would you agree that what he has in his pictures goes along with the defination in the code book as " Service Equipment" --- " Quote" The necessary equipment, usually consisting of a circuit breaker(s) or switche(s) and fuse(s) and their accessories, connected to the load end of service conductors to a building or other structure, or an otherwise designated area, and intended to constitute the main control and cutoff of supply., End "Quote..

Ooo a question.. In the code book where do you find "Subpanel"..

Like I said before, Not gonna argue a known FACT, ask your journeyman or inspector next time you see them about what gets bonded and what doesnt. ( assuming you're an apprentice since service bonding is something that is taught/learned quickly..usually)

 

[grsthegreat]

Here in Maine we go by the 2011 code that doesn't allow a ground rod at the generator... As explained to me if something Catastrophic should happen there could be potentional between the two rods..Like the power comes back on and somehow the service goes to ground and the generator has the same problem at the same time.. I know it's a one in a million..

as long as both ground rods are connected together via a #6 copper wire, it acts as one ground. Same as for a service top say a shop. you run a continuous ground between the main panel and the shop panel, but you still install a ground rod at the shop panel.

 

[grsthegreat]

Here in Maine we go by the 2011 code that doesn't allow a ground rod at the generator... As explained to me if something Catastrophic should happen there could be potentional between the two rods..Like the power comes back on and somehow the service goes to ground and the generator has the same problem at the same time.. I know it's a one in a million..

i just pulled my 2011 code book and looked under generator section. i dont find any reference dis-allowing a ground rod. only a name plate designating separate connected rods.

where are you looking in the code?

 

[grsthegreat]

Would you agree that what he has in his pictures goes along with the defination in the code book as " Service Equipment" --- " Quote" The necessary equipment, usually consisting of a circuit breaker(s) or switche(s) and fuse(s) and their accessories, connected to the load end of service conductors to a building or other structure, or an otherwise designated area, and intended to constitute the main control and cutoff of supply., End "Quote..

Ooo a question.. In the code book where do you find "Subpanel"..

? to what are you quoating this for. im confused.

 

[hr3]

i just pulled my 2011 code book and looked under generator section. i dont find any reference dis-allowing a ground rod. only a name plate designating separate connected rods.

where are you looking in the code?

250.35..

 

[hr3]

? to what are you quoating this for. im confused.

The code book tells us under Article 100.. "Definitions" What a service equipment is,,, and from what I see there are not remote panels... everything that is grouped there is service equipment..

 

[hr3]

Like I said before, Not gonna argue a known FACT, ask your journeyman or inspector next time you see them about what gets bonded and what doesnt. ( assuming you're an apprentice since service bonding is something that is taught/learned quickly..usually)

:laughing: apprentice,,, I take it you didn't find subpanel in the code book..

 

[hr3]

as long as both ground rods are connected together via a #6 copper wire, it acts as one ground. Same as for a service top say a shop. you run a continuous ground between the main panel and the shop panel, but you still install a ground rod at the shop panel.

Although this a separate structure and must be grounded in accordance with 250.32 it is not a separately derived system so the equipment grounding conductor which is brought over with the buildings feeders can be used as a supplemental ground for that building. Also the buildings ground would only need to sized from 250.122 not 250.66 per 250.32(B)

 

[podagrower]

In case nobody else noticed, grounding and bonding are 2 of the most confusing issues that the code book fails to clarify.

Ground rod at generator is optional. I have seen it engineered and passed with a ground rod, and without. You are required to have both a neutral and ground from the generator to the transfer switch.

Neither of the OP's panels were subpanels, but now the panel fed from the transfer switch is.

The non transfered panel can have neutrals and grounds on the same bar, with a main bonding jumper, fed from the meter with SEU cable (2 hots and a ground).

The transfered panel is now a subpanel, neutrals and grounds should be separate, no main bonding jumper, fed from the transfer switch with SER cable (2 hots, neutral, and ground).

The transfer switch (which needs to be service entrance rated in this case), is now the main breaker for the transfered panel, and should have a main bonding jumper, fed from the meter base with SEU cable.