Next, go and start up your generator and carry out the same tests as
above.
You should see that both, what are known as live and neutral, are showing
half of the rated voltage to earth, that it is said to supply. This is
because an AC generator works on the principle of each phase being 180
degrees out of phase with the other, therefore, it supplies + phase on one
side and - phase on the other, and the phases alternate between supplying
+
and - of the supply at the rated hertz frequency of the generator.

There is no neutral / earth potential from a generator and it must be
properly connected to the AC supply system, when and if the load has any
capacitative loads, i.e. televisions, IF filters in appliances, etc. etc.
Please be careful if you intend to use a generator as a backup supply for
your domestic system.

An isolation transfomer only works by bringing in different tapps on a
transfomer to supply an increasing current load. It is nothing fancy and
sure won't help in the situation of supplying a domestic AC electrical
supply.


Ok, did the tests, and as I expected, you were right!

The next question, what can I do about this? - My generator seems to satisfy
all four of my UPS'
A small standby
a larger Line interactive
and two online large units (35KG jobbies!)

How would I run things like TV's etc. from the generator without risking
causing them damage?

Thanks!

Sparks...