Question re: Portable Gensets & ELD safety switches

[Jasen Betts]

On 2005-11-13, Rod Out Back <someone@IHATESPAM.BIGPOND.COM> wrote:

We have a portable genset (Honda 5kva) which we use around the property for
working on fences etc, where we need 240V. We have one of those orange
4-outlet ELD safety switches, which I bought with the idea it would cut the
power if someone was stupid enough to cut the power cord.

However, it has been pointed out to me the ELD wont trip because the genset
isnt earthed.

Does this sound right?

yes.

If this is correct, is there any way to get an ELD to work on a portable
genset?

earth the neutral. (not that that's a good idea)

Should I simply keep the ELD outlet for the shed?

probably. as you have it in the case of an electrical connection between any
one of the output wires and the body of a user no current will flow
asif you were usuing an isolating transformer, and AFAIK they are as good as
ELDs except they don't trip in fault conditions.

Bye.
Jasen

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2005-11-13, Mark Harriss <billy@blartco.co.uk> wrote:

Rheilly Phoull wrote:

He'd dropped the hot air gun into knee deep salt water at the
bottom of the cable pit and nearly fried himself as there was enough of
an earth return to the gen set frame sitting on the wet salt pan surface
to pass a current via the DOUBLE INSULATED hot air gun.

yeah if the generator output is earthed a RCD is a good idea.

Bye.
Jasen

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2005-11-15, Phil Allison <philallison@tpg.com.au> wrote:

Folk working on construction sites in the UL and Europe have long used
portable isolation transformers to create an "earth free environment " -
way safer than the usual one.

NZ too (historically), and I thin'k I've seen used ones in AUS.
ELCBs are cheaper and way more portable than a 20KG transformer.

Bye.
Jasen