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Does an RV Generator Need to Be Grounded?

does an rv generator need to be grounded

The question of whether or not an RV generator needs to be grounded is one that’s been bouncing around for decades. Trying to get a definitive answer is frustrating simply due to the wide range of conflicting answers out there. If you ask 100 people, you’re likely to get 100 different answers. Part of the problem lies in terminology – and an understanding of what grounding actually means.

The easy answer is that all electrical equipment should be grounded for purposes of safety. RV generators are no exception. But, the real question is whether the grounding of a generator requires the use of a conductive grounding rod or spike driven into the ground. In most common circumstances, the answer to that is no. 

To understand when and how to properly ground an RV generator or portable generator, we first need to go to school on what grounding is and why it matters.

Electrical Grounding

Electric current is a lot like water – it likes to flow through the path of least resistance. Electricity can flow very easily through metallic wires and other electrical conductors, but not as well through air and through insulating materials like rubber and plastic.

When using alternating current (AC) power, like the 120 Volt and 240 Volt systems common in US households, two wires are required to operate a device or appliance – a live or “hot” wire (there can be an additional hot wires but that’s not important here) and a “return” wire. A third “ground” wire is included in modern wiring.

Grounding for Safety

It’s important to mention here that the word “ground” is a very confusing term in electrical jargon because it is used interchangeably in different contexts. Sometimes you’ll hear the word ground used to describe the neutral or “0” voltage level in a circuit. In this article, however, the term refers to a grounding circuit used for safety.

The earth acts as a giant sink that can absorb excess electric current so it doesn’t flow where it’s not wanted – like through our bodies or valuable electrical devices and appliances. Thus, some ground lines are connected directly to the physical ground beneath a home or structure through a buried conducting rod, or grounding rod. This path diverts dangerous current safely into the earth.

Alternatively, ground lines are connected to grounding lug points on a circuit breaker panel. When a fault causes current to flow through the ground circuit, it’s designed to trip a circuit breaker to prevent any further activity until the problem is resolved.

Grounding vs. Bonding

The word grounding also commonly refers to a process that is more properly called “bonding.” Bonding, generally, is the electrical connection of different conducting bodies and lines to form a common path.

Bonding often entails connecting multiple ground wires (and often neutral wires) to a common conducting point like copper pipes or a metal frame. Sometimes (but not always), these common paths will also lead to an external grounding rod or to a circuit breaker.

In high-current portable devices like most electric generators, various components have their ground paths bonded together, often to the metal chassis or frame, which features a circuit breaker designed to trip in the event of a surge or fault. Many generators also feature a connection point for a grounding rod.

Why Does RV Electrical Equipment Need to Be Grounded?

If there is a power surge, a fault in the electrical system, crossed or shorted wires, or some other problem with a proper electrical path, the electricity cannot just build up with no place to go. Electric current, if powerful enough, finds its way to where it wants to go one way or another – even if it has to arc through air and people to get there. 

Grounding, whether to a grounding rod or bonding path, gives that excess dangerous energy an escape route when it is needed.

What Happens if You Don’t Ground a Generator?

When a generator isn’t properly grounded or bonded, the consequences range from relatively mild, like an unstable power flow to very serious like property damage – or even electrocution resulting in death.

How Do You Ground an RV Generator or Portable Generator?

So, when asking how to ground a generator, we need to be clear about whether we’re grounding to the earth with a grounding rod or simply connecting to a common bonding path.

When Do I Need a Grounding Rod?

Many portable generators are manufactured with their components and conducting parts bonded to their own frames. The circuit breaker on the bonded path serves as a safety mechanism that replaces the need to ground directly to the earth in most circumstances. 

When a device is connected to a generator outlet, its ground line (the third prong on a standard plug) will share the generator’s bonded path. However, that bonding does not provide a path for current to dissipate into the earth unless a ground rod is connected to the generator.

There are a few circumstances in which it is recommended to ground a portable generator to the earth through a grounding rod. Most importantly, the generator manufacturer instructions will contain safety warnings and procedures that outline when it’s necessary to use a grounding rod.

The manufacturer safety warnings and government/regulatory requirements should supersede any other advice or guidance. 

There are, however, a couple of rules-of-thumb to go by.

  1. If the generator does not come bonded to its own frame (referred to sometimes as ground/neutral bonding), then using a grounding rod is required for safety. The equipment manual will indicate if it requires a grounding rod.
  2. Even if it is bonded, it is required to be connected to a ground rod if it is being used to power a structure. A structure can be a home, office, or any stationary structure that requires a generator transfer switch.

A simple 4 ft. grounding rod like this one should suffice in grounding a portable generator. It’s copper plated steel, and comes pre-installed with a screw wire clamp. You will also need ground wire like this one to connect to the ground rod and appliance you are trying to ground.

Bonding with the RV

When a generator is part of a motorhome or travel trailer RV, it should be wired in such a way as to share the bonded neutral (or “floating” neutral, depending on the model type) path with all of the electrical equipment, conducting metal parts, and chassis of the vehicle.

If this the case and the generator is not being used to power any outside structures, then it’s unnecessary to use a grounding rod because the bonding path serves as a suitable ground.

Using a Grounding Rod

If it is necessary to use a grounding rod in your circumstance, it must be driven deep into the ground (the depth can depend on ground conditions and the capacity of the generator) and wired to the grounding point indicated on your generator. Follow the grounding rod installation instructions carefully – it’s inadvisable and sometimes dangerous to have too many different grounding rods close to each other.

Final Thoughts

In summary, most RV generators do not require the use of a grounding rod for safe operation, provided that you are using a generator that is properly bonded to the vehicle and that no outside structures are also being powered by the generator.

Similarly, portable generators that are bonded to their own frame can be used without a grounding rod unless they are being used to power a structure.

The consequences of improper grounding can be catastrophic, so when in doubt defer to the instruction and safety manuals for your generator and RV, and always consult a trained electrical professional before doing any wiring.

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