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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 220
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most of the Home Standby generators dont have a switched neutral. So, without the neutral switching, the genset isnt considered a SDS in the NEC sense. The generac line comes with a floating neutral for this reason.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
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Trekkie- Did you mean to say that the units with the neutral bonded to the frame are SDS? I hope so. That's the issue here, if the neutral is bonded o the frame at the generator and the utility neutral is bonded at another location, then one would have to switch the neutral and hots at the transfer switch. The trick is to make sure the neutral is lifted from the frame of the generator if the service is bonded (as it would be) so you don't have to switch the neutral. Generac and Onan do a good job of handling the neutral for this type of installation. Kohler on the other hand does nothing for their customers in the way of assisting them with this issue.
George Little
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 60
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Generac does not bond their generators, but their documentation mentions absolutely nothing about bonding. I had to buy one and hope it was not bonded, or that the bonding could be broken since my transfer switch doens't switch the neutral.
It seems that many residential generators come unbonded, which is my preference.
Mark Kent, WA
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 582
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Interesting. The last time I looked at the wiring diagram of one of the Home Depot small generators (5.5kW), the neutral was bonded to the ground at the output (receptacle). That was about 1-1/2 years ago. Mayybe it has changed?
Ron
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
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The Coleman 5 KW model I bought from HD is labeled 'floating neutral'.
I think it depends on who makes it.
Bob Badger Construction & Maintenance Electrician Massachusetts
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 220
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George, I was stating that the neutral is solid, not disconnected at the transfer switch, thus not a SDS by NEC definition. The neutral floats to prevent parallel paths with the ground in this setup.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 830
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I just got through installing a 7 KW Briggs & Stratton NG automatic generator. Their clearances were 5 ft. on all sides and could not be put under a deck. They had a ATS that would fit inside a stud wall. Worked out great. You'll have to special order the flush cover though if you're going to install it a wall, it comes with a surface cover and the rough edges are not good around where you cut out. It just so happened that the homeowner had a "tapestry" on her wall and they wanted the panel behind it anyway. Everything else worked out great. Their generator comes already "broke in" with oil and a battery in it. You have to order the battery warmer separate though if it will operated under 32F. That cost an extra $ 200.00 where I got mine. Inspector said it was a good job Steve
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Posts: 99
Joined: August 2003
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