Portable Gensets and earthing

Fred,

sadly you are probably correct. Darwin wins again.

Have a good one,
RA.

NSW mines Page 13

Will Darwin win

RA.

HI RA
Thanks for that
I've been waiting to get my hands on mines reqs
It is now safely filed.
AS you are aware the requirements can vary depending on many factors/

One in the mining industry often is the difficulty in getting an effective grounding system
ONE means of overcoming this is a FULLY isolated supply usually with some form of RVD[residual voltage devise] or [ground leakage detection] to ensure that full isolation exists
The same general principle as shown in figs 3.3 & 3.4 apply with AS3001 when using any isolated supply
It is also a standard safety recommendation to not use an earth stake with small[<25Kw] PORTABLE generators.
This includes the builing & construction industries
Hard wired fixed installations do have different rules,

Peter

Peter,
most of our mines regs refer back to the Australian standards and then they just may add their own specific clauses for differences to things in the real world.

One such example would be winders and winding operations. There are also many specific rules for underground operations.

Have a good one,
RA.

The mines regs are interesting and sort of do illustrate the issue , some may argue that the mines regs do not translate outside of the mines... but current AS3000 ( the central wiring rules document that applies to almost everything electrical) is clear.......... Ya don't earth a generator or inverter unless there is a properly installed earthing system to connect it with...the mines regs also ilustrate that

One thing that may not occur to people outside of the trade....in a situation where a generator IS properly "earthed" that earth and all that comes with it under the regulations and standards will be installed and tested by a licenced or trained person.

And this I gather is at the heart of the issue regarding not earthing of portable genertors and inverters.

Unqualified "users" are not reliably able to install an effective earth, and all the conditions and practices that come with it.

In addition a non compliant "earthed" situation my provide more risks than it removes AND provide a false sence of security.


Even qualified people from time to time have problems and chalenges installing effecive earth connections at times, certain soil types can present real chalenges.

Then there is the issue of what else needs to be connected to that earth to satisfy the standards and regulations, and to make the earth system effective.

AS3000 contains at least 30 pages specificaly on earthing AND further references thruout, earthing is possibly one of the most complex issues an electrician will encounter.

Running a generator or inverter as an "isolated supply" is a far simpler and reliable solution and provides some specific safety advantages of its own......

but we need to play to those safety advantages and not treat these supplies like they are grid connected supplies like in our home.

Sorry to harp on the issue, but it comes up time after, time after, time..and there is so much plain wrong information out there, even in the instructions that come with these devices.

be safe

cheers

Bantam,
That is why the stake is in a plastic bucket.

Have a good one
RA.

Yes RA, but is it an APPROVED bucket?

Also note that the bucket is only half full and the earth stake is resting against a conductive structure...ya just cant rely on people to do things properly.

cheers

I was wondering who was going to pick up that the stake was leaning on the handrail - makes the whole system unsafe ;)

Cheers

Captain

What difference does the stake/handrail make?
The whole genie chassis is sitting on the metal walkway anyway.
Is there a point to all this?

Ahh yes but, the rubber vibration mounting will provide insulation from the the cage.

Is there any point to this...no this thtead has degenerated into an excercise in silliness.


Which is probaly in keeping with the first post. :)

cheers

Bantam,
thanks for that, it was always meant as a joke.

It is a pity some don't see the lighter side of life.

Always remember you don't have to answer a silly post and become just like the origonal poster. Hang on that's me.

I am sure you will have a safe one,
RA.

Hi RA
I too took your original Post as a jest.
I think I know who it was intended for.
I was lost for an answer
But then it seems some took it seriously


Peter

Al and Peter,
I will answer both of you because I think Peter your reply was for me.

Al love your story and Peter if you look at the original post you will see the Ha Ha after it. Don't worry we all take things the wrong way with the written word. I tend to stuff up more than most.

You both have a great day,
RA.