How to Ground A Portable Generator

Generators are so important for many households because of their portability and great use, especially during a temporary power shutdown. However, before you use them, it is advisable that you ground your generator for safer use. How do I ground a portable generator? In this article, your question is covered. Learn more about how to ground a portable generator by reading until the end.

Why You Need to Ground Your Portable Generator

The general rule of thumb is that you must take care of your things, so they work efficiently and last longer. The same thing with portable generators: their long lastingness depends on how you take care of them. But more importantly, the life of your portable generator depends on installation and maintenance.

Before you learn how to properly ground a generator or how to ground a portable generator, learn first why it is important to do this process. 

• Grounding your generator can let you escape a lot of electrical troubles.
  
  
• This also allows the current to flow where they are supposed to flow which results in a much safer use.

If you are in doubt to ground your portable generator or not, the best resort you could go to is to check your manufacturer’s manual or set of instructions. Now that you know why it is important to ground your generator, you can go ahead with the process of how to ground a portable generator properly.

The Grounding Process

As a user, you must have an equipped knowledge on how to ground a portable generator. This process must be done correctly so you could avoid the worst-case scenario.

To start with this project, you are going to the following set of materials:

1. Copper rod
2. Wire Strippers
3. One hammer
4. A copper wire
5. A wrench
6. And some pliers

Here’s the ground process:

1. Get your copper wire and your hammer. The beginning step is a little tricky and can take time. So, all you must do is burry or sink your copper wire (45-degree angle) down to the ground for about 7-8 feet deep. Use your hammer for this process. If your ground's soil is a little bit thicker and hard, use the power of water and spray or pour water on the soil as you continue to do it.
   
   
2. Next, grab your wire stripper and use it to strip the copper wire. Ensure that you strip just enough thickness.
   
   
3. Since you’re done with grounding that copper wire down 8 feet under the soil, take one end of the copper wire and wrap it around the copper rod with the help of pliers. Make sure that you don’t make it too loose so that it can grip tightly enough on the rod.
   
   
4. For the last and final step, take the other end of the copper wire and connect it to your portable generator. This process requires tight enough grip so you can ask the help of your wrench tool to make sure that you are doing it right.

Conclusion

That’s how to ground a portable generator with few tools and simple steps. Take note that when you are dealing with electrical stuff, you must ensure your safety to avoid the horrors of electrocution and other dangerous situations.