"Dave" wrote in message
...
BigWallop wrote:
"Dave" wrote in message
...

snipped

It's a small 240 generator, there's an integral overload breaker but not
an RCD. That's spurred a few more questions:
- Why would a generator object to being grounded?
- What is the metalwork on a generator connected to internally?
- If the generator is floating why does any adjacent metalwork need to
be isolated from earth? If it's truly floating there wouldn't be a path
for current to flow.

Dave


Try a little test for me. With a voltage meter, place one test probe on the
metal casing of the generator. Fix it tightly to the metal. With the other
test probe, touch the Live terminal of the socket outlet. Make a note of
the voltage reading it shows. Now touch the Neutral terminal and make a
note of the voltage it has.

Now do a little bit of maths, simple addition, and add both the reading
together. What do you get?

A generator doesn't have to have an earth point to ground, and some
generators are more dangerous if they are fixed electrically to earth
ground. It does depend on the generator though, and the in-built safety
features it already has.