Info needed for generator transfer panel neutral to grond bonding

 I am installing a manual transfer switch in my house. It will be a sub
panel off my main fed with a 2 pole, 60 amp breaker.
The house is a standard single-phase 120/240 feed. The transfer panel
has a 3-pole breaker so I will be switching both hots and the neutral.
The main panel has the neutral/ground bond screw. As per code the sub
panel (transfer panel) will not have a neutral to ground bond.

Her is my question:
When running the generator and the transfer switch is in the generator
mode, all 3 conductors back to the main panel are open, so I no longer
have a neutral to ground bond.

Should I install a bond between the generator neutral to ground so
that when the transfer switch is in the generator position I then have
a neutral to ground bond.

If I do this, where should it be done? My connection to the generator
is by way of a 4 terminal twist lock plug that will be hard wired into
the transfer switch. Should I bond the neutral/ground at the generator
plug, or inside the transfer panel?

 

In your situation, it would be wise to have the Neutral and Frame Bonded
at the Genset, especially if you have separate Outlets at the Genset
itself. this is covered in the NEC, under "Separately Derived Power
Generation".  As long as you switch both Hots and the Neutral, you have
Separately Derived Power.  This is usually installed at the Genset, and
the Genset would also have a Ground Rod installed as well.  I am NOT
and Electrical Engineer, and I don't play one on television, BUT I
do Generate ALL my own power, and I have a retired Certified Electrical
Inspector available in the Neighborhood. (Neighborhood = 100 Sq Miles)

--
Bruce in alaska
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 Thanks for that reply. It is a portable gen set (5000-watt Coleman),
so a ground rod at the gen set is not fully practical.

I was leaning toward jumpering the neutral and ground in the line cord
that goes to the genset, at the gen set end of the cord. That way when
I plug in the gen set, the neutral/ground bond will happen
automatically.

This will be inspected, so I will ask for t the inspectors input and
recommendation as well.



wrote:

 
Fred F. wrote:

Just wondering:  What's the purpose of switching the neutral?  (Actual
question.  No smart-assed content.)

 Neutral switching is only required if the grounds are tied together.

Potentially (no pun), the neutral could have a voltage induced into it,
above ground potential, if the generator is grounded separately. This has
been felt that it could endanger line maintenance people.