Can we look at a particular case quickly (my case that is...):
If the power goes out (which it generally does not), I unplug my UPS from the house plugs, start the generator and plug the UPS into the generator (which is running happily in outside in a well ventilated area). There are no earth connections.
What else do I need to make this set up safe?
so what you are telling us is that everything you plug in is double insulated so there is no chance of any exposed metal parts becoming alive when the is afault or you have a safety transformer...like a shaver unit in a bathroom.
Well, no, I can't say that it is. Most of it is, but the UPS for one has a metal case, which would mean that it is not double insulated. Obviously any PC (I normally use a laptop though) isn't either.
I can see how this presents some kind of a problem. Any fault to the casing would then expose live to the user.
But, is it a danger? In this case the generator is also effectively floating (compared to earth). Even if the user is earthed, there is no closed loop for the current to flow in - or am I totally wrong?
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