The generator has receptacles mounted on the generator panel, and receptacles have equipment grounding terminals (the ground pin of an ac receptacle) that are bonded to the frame of the generator.Both have ground terminals-is a ground rod required?Īccording to the NEC (see article 250.34), a ground rod or other similar Earth electrode is not required for portable generators as long as: Both deliver 120 VAC and have circuit-breaker protection on all of their outputs. At right is a 4,000-watt generator, the AP4000 from the same company. Even though the generator at right has wheels, it is designed to be moved by one person and is considered portable.Īt left is a 1,600-watt inverter generator (the A-iPower SUA2000I) that weighs 46 pounds and can be carried by one person. (These are multi-kW units much larger than commonly used by hams.) Two portable generators are shown above. A “mobile” generator is capable of being moved on wheels or rollers and includes generators mounted in a vehicle. Generators that can be moved from one place to another by a person are considered “portable” by the NEC (National Electrical Code). Avoiding shock hazards should be a top priority for individuals or clubs. Even though they incorporate safety features at multiple levels, there are still basic safety concerns you should be aware of and respect. Highly engineered, they offer relatively trouble-free operation. While battery power is becoming more convenient and capable, the gas-powered ac generator is still very common for portable operation. (Batteries have their own challenges not addressed here.) My advice here follows the more detailed guidelines in the ARRL book, Grounding and Bonding for the Radio Amateur. There are two basic needs to get right: generator power safety and RF management. I expect to see more and more portable operation as programs like Parks On The Air (POTA) grow.Ĭreating a temporary station involves managing power and getting all of the equipment connected together. This is a great thing for ham radio! Being able to operate effectively from “the field” is key to fulfilling the emergency communications mandate in our Basis and Purpose. Operating from a temporary setup-in a park, on a summit, from a rare grid or county, or for a special event-has become very popular.
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