- Metal and non-current carrying components which are physically mounted to the generator, or the generator's cage must be grounded with the generator. Therefore a gas tank on a portable generator on a construction site must be physically bonded to the generator by being attached to the cage on which the entire device is built. When installing a portable generator as an emergency power backup source, the generator's metal enclosure must also be physically grounded to the generator to prevent static electricity buildup.
- When using a portable generator, equipment which is plugged into the generator is grounded via the generator's electrical outlet. In this case, no other ground grounding device is required between the item plugged into the generator and the generator itself. For this reason, users should verify that the extension cord used is a three conductor cord, with an intact third grounding prong.
- Portable emergency generators outside a residence or business are also physically bonded home's electrical system, which is similarly bonded to the earth according to local and national electrical codes. By doing this, the electrical connection between the generator, its peripheral equipment, the home's electrical system and the bonded ground is continuous, so that every part of the system is electrically grounded.
- When using a portable power generator, if a metal external gas tank, or any other metal non-current carrying device, is used with a portable generator, then the tank would also have to be mechanically bonded to the generator's frame in order to prevent a buildup of static electrical charge. If the tank couldn't be bonded to the generator's frame, then it would have to be bonded to a grounding electrode. When using a portable emergency generator, the generator must also be physically bonded to a grounding electrode. The grounding electrode is a metal re-bar, or copper pipe which extends at least 10 feet into the earth.
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