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Generator earthing

Baldyhugh
Hi


I have a tractor driven Backup generator to install on a farm shortly and have a query regarding the earth spike. Does it need to go directly back to the MET or can I connect it directly into the generator earth terminal, the latter being Quite a lot simpler   In my case? 


thanks

Parents
  • 0
    Hi mike


    Yes that was my concern and has always been with these type of generators, in my case tractor driven. You are basically supplies with an alternator and that’s it. Had it been a set with a control panel incorporated in it, then any mcb/rcd could be incorporated into it thus protecting the cable from there to the changeover arrangement. With my Mcb/rcd being located in a switchboard roughly a 10 metre cable run from the generator, then as you say there is no protection for this cable at all other than the tractor stopping or the pto shaft snapping!! At least with meter tails you have the supply fuse for overcurrent protection I suppose but no fault protection Which can be partly negated by double insulating and careful installation. As you say, swa should be ok for this, but would a suitably sized tough rubber flexible cable perhaps  be an alternative as it is essentially double insulated Between genset and switchboard whereas the swa won’t be?
Reply
  • 0
    Hi mike


    Yes that was my concern and has always been with these type of generators, in my case tractor driven. You are basically supplies with an alternator and that’s it. Had it been a set with a control panel incorporated in it, then any mcb/rcd could be incorporated into it thus protecting the cable from there to the changeover arrangement. With my Mcb/rcd being located in a switchboard roughly a 10 metre cable run from the generator, then as you say there is no protection for this cable at all other than the tractor stopping or the pto shaft snapping!! At least with meter tails you have the supply fuse for overcurrent protection I suppose but no fault protection Which can be partly negated by double insulating and careful installation. As you say, swa should be ok for this, but would a suitably sized tough rubber flexible cable perhaps  be an alternative as it is essentially double insulated Between genset and switchboard whereas the swa won’t be?
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