Using a generator on a boat- First Time Boat Owner

[Thallac]

i posted a couple of threads about cleaning the topsides of a boat and the rubbing streak and many of the replies bought to my attention the danger of electrical shocks. To recap i am moored on the Thames at Kew on a floating pontoon, (metal pontoon 30ft by 10ft with no connection to the river bed).

i have been using the generator to power a pressure washer and to charge the batteries, i also plan to run aground and use generator to power a sander.

the generator is from Machine Mart see the link http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-ig2200-2-2kw-inverter-generator


it has an earth stud
also have an rdc

how do i protect myself
How do i earth the generator on the pontoon and on the shore
i do have the option of putting the generator on a pavement on the river bank when running a ground
also how do i protect myself using a sander on the shore side, would standing on a paving slab help

thanks for all your previous replies.

 

[VicS]

When ashore earth the generator, as described in its operating instructions, to a ground stake.

When on the pontoon earth it to the pontoon.

When using it on the boat plug it into the shorepower system if that's appropriate otherwise earth it to the DC negative in the same way as shorepower would be.

Otherwise use only doubly insulated equipment perhaps ?

Are you sure it has an rcd incorporated? If not use a plug in one in your connection.

 

[Thallac]

Thanks for that advice. When ashore do you simply mean hammer a stake into the mud and earth to this?
i have a shore power plug, so should be okay plugging in direct to this; do i still need to earth the generator.
thanks

 

[Richard10002]

i have a shore power plug, so should be okay plugging in direct to this; do i still need to earth the generator.
thanks

Yes you do! To earth the generator to the DC negative, my understanding is that you connect the earth to the negative in one end of your shore power lead. The plug that goes into the generator seems most sensible to me. If you do this, you must not use this lead to connect the boat to shorepower mains.... It should be marked in such a way as to leave no room for doubt!!!

I have a 2ft lead to connect my generator to my shorepower socket - its too short to connect to a shore based mains supply, so anyone would have to think twice before incorporating it into a shore based mains lead.

The above is my understanding - I hope Vic will confirm, or otherwise.

 

[GEB]

If we are talking about a small generator supplying one appliance it is often best to run it as an 'island system'. This has no earth reference and, provided it does not acquire one because of a fault, it's isolation from earth removes the risk of a shock to earth.

The Health & Safety Executive have published guidance on this mode of use. http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/ocs/400-499/oc482_2.htm Look at paragraph 8.

Next time you visit your local kebab van you will note that it is probably powered by a small generator – but we wouldn't want the owner driving electrodes through the pavement now would we.

The key to safety here is to look after your appliances and their connecting leads.

 

[nigelmercier]

If we are talking about a small generator supplying one appliance it is often best to run it as an 'island system'. This has no earth reference and, provided it does not acquire one because of a fault, it's isolation from earth removes the risk of a shock to earth...

+1

 

[Nigel-in-Oxford]

+1

+2

 

[GrahamM376]

I never earth our generator but always use it via an RCD which is directly after the shore power socket. If using it remote from the boat circuit, I have a plug in RCD.