A generator grounding question...

A feedback question from my generator grounding and bonding article.

Dear Mike,

Thanks for all that you do to help us understand these topics. A quick question: While there is no need to use a grounding rod with an RV, what about if you are using the generator at home? We have a larger dual fuel unit (it has wheels, so we could move it out to our fifth-wheel in a power outage, if we chose to do so) and it is on our covered back porch. We had a plug and transfer system wired into the house so that we can power selective circuits in an outage. The generator output is 230 volts with a twist-connect 4 wire plug. When we use it for our home, would it need to be grounded?

Thanks, in advance. Tom H

Hey Tom,

This is pretty simple. Any portable generator powering your RV does not need a grounding rod because it’s an isolated, stand-alone system. So there’s no way for it to create a hot-skin condition. No ground rod required.

What about when powering your house?

And when this same generator is powering your house, a grounding rod and neutral bond is actually required. But guess what? The ground rod and neutral bonding point is already supplied by your residential service panel. You just need to have the proper generator transfer switch, breaker lockout or breaker panel.

Read my deep dive on hooking up a portable generator to your house HERE.

Lets play (and power) safe out there… Mike