How much extension cord would be required to capacitively couple 5 mA of current thru a short between a phase and earth from a unbonded small generator?
How much crappy abused cheap extension cable is required to leak 5 mA of current thru a defective power tool thru a sweaty person to a return path via the crappy abused extension cord?
I guess it is all dependent on how much nannying we are willing to tolerate. In most cases, there is probably not a problem bonding or floating the neutral with respect to earth when using "small" generators.
When it comes to connecting to an existing structure that is supposed to be NEC compliant, requiring the earth neutral bond will be necessary, if for nothing else, because of the size and variety of loads in the structure. Plus the potential for interaction with other services that may be subject to voltage transients such as cable TV, phone service, isolated water or gas/propane supplies, etc.
Larry C
